5.            OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING - 701-711 mONTREAL rOAD

 

PLAN OFFICIEL ET ZONAGE - 701-711, CHEMIN DE MONTRÉAL

 

 

 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That Council:

 

1.         approve and adopt an amendment to Schedule B of Volume 1 of the Council Adopted Official Plan of the City of Ottawa to redesignate 701-711 Montreal Road, the Montfort Woods, from General Urban Area to Urban Natural Features, as detailed in Document 2.

 

2.         approve and adopt an amendment to Schedule B of Volume I of the Official Plan of the former City of Ottawa to redesignate 701-711 Montreal Road, the Montfort Woods, from Residential Area and Major Institutional Area to Environmentally Sensitive Area, as detailed in Document 3.

 

3.         approve the application to amend the former City of Ottawa Zoning By-law, 1998, for 701-711 Montreal Road, the Montfort Woods, from L3[698] - Community Leisure Zone and I2 F(1.5) - Major Institutional Zone to an ES - Environmentally Sensitive Area Zone, as shown in Document 1.

 

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU COMITÉ

 

Que le Conseil :

 

1.         approuve et adopte une modification à l'annexe B du volume 1 du Plan officiel de la Ville d'Ottawa, que le Conseil a adopté, afin de faire passer la désignation du 701-711, chemin de Montréal (Boisé Montfort) de « zone urbaine générale », à « caractéristiques naturelles urbaines », comme le précise le document 2.

 

2.         approuve et adopte une modification à l'annexe B du volume I du Plan officiel de l'ancienne Ville d'Ottawa, afin de faire passer la désignation du 701-711, chemin de Montréal (Boisé Montfort) de « zone résidentielle » et « zone de grandes institutions » à « zone écologiquement vulnérable », comme le précise le document 3.

 


3.         approuve la demande visant à modifier le Règlement de zonage de 1998 de l'ancienne Ville d'Ottawa afin de faire passer la désignation du 701-711, chemin de Montréal (Boisé Montfort) de L3[698] - Zone de loisirs communautaire et I2 F(1.5) - Zone de grandes institutions à ES - Zone écologiquement vulnérable, comme le précise le document 1.

 

 

 

 

 

Documentation

 

1.         Planning and Growth Management Deputy City Manager’s report dated 29 June 2004 (ACS2004-DEV-APR-0139).

 

2.                  Extract of Draft Minutes, 24 August 2004.


Report to/Rapport au :

 

Planning and Environment Committee

Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement

 

and Council / et au Conseil

 

29 June 2004 / le 29 juin 2004

 

Submitted by/Soumis par : Ned Lathrop, Deputy City Manager / Directeur municipal adjoint

Planning and Growth Management / Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Grant Lindsay, Manager / Gestionnaire

Development Approvals / Approbation des demandes d'aménagement

(613) 580-2424 x13242, Grant.Lindsay@ottawa.ca

 

 

Rideau-Rockcliffe (13)

Ref N°: ACS2004-DEV-APR-0139

 

SUBJECT:

OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING - 701-711 MONTREAL ROAD (FILE NUMBERS: D01-01-04-0006 AND D02-02-04-0044])

 

 

OBJET :

PLAN OFFICIEL ET ZONAGE - 701-711, CHEMIN DE MONTRÉAL (NUMÉROS DE DOSSIERS : D01-01-04-0006 ET D02-02-04-0044)

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Planning and Environment Committee recommend that Council:

 

1.         approve and adopt an amendment to Schedule B of Volume 1 of the Council Adopted Official Plan of the City of Ottawa to redesignate 701-711 Montreal Road, the Montfort Woods, from General Urban Area to Urban Natural Features, as detailed in Document 2.

 

2.         approve and adopt an amendment to Schedule B of Volume I of the Official Plan of the former City of Ottawa to redesignate 701-711 Montreal Road, the Montfort Woods, from Residential Area and Major Institutional Area to Environmentally Sensitive Area, as detailed in Document 3.

 

3.         approve the application to amend the former City of Ottawa Zoning By-law, 1998, for 701-711 Montreal Road, the Montfort Woods, from L3[698] - Community Leisure Zone and I2 F(1.5) - Major Institutional Zone to an ES - Environmentally Sensitive Area Zone, as shown in Document 1.

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement recommande au Conseil :

 

1.         d'approuver et d'adopter une modification à l'annexe B du volume 1 du Plan officiel de la Ville d'Ottawa, que le Conseil a adopté, afin de faire passer la désignation du 701-711, chemin de Montréal (Boisé Montfort) de " zone urbaine générale ", à " caractéristiques naturelles urbaines ", comme le précise le document 2.

 

2.         d'approuver et d'adopter une modification à l'annexe B du volume I du Plan officiel de l'ancienne Ville d'Ottawa, afin de faire passer la désignation du 701-711, chemin de Montréal (Boisé Montfort) de " zone résidentielle " et " zone de grandes institutions " à " zone écologiquement vulnérable ", comme le précise le document 3.

 

3.         d'approuver la demande visant à modifier le Règlement de zonage de 1998 de l'ancienne Ville d'Ottawa afin de faire passer la désignation du 701-711, chemin de Montréal (Boisé Montfort) de L3[698] - Zone de loisirs communautaire et I2 F(1.5) - Zone de grandes institutions à ES - Zone écologiquement vulnérable, comme le précise le document 1.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The site is situated behind the Montfort Hospital with partial frontage on Lang's Road to the east.

 

The site, known as the Montfort Woods, is a natural woodlot that is surrounded by the Montfort Hospital and long-term care facility to the south, Aviation Parkway to the west, CFB Rockcliffe to the north and the Fairhaven community to the east.  The site is approximately 7 hectares in size.

 

The National Capital Commission (NCC) acquired the Montfort Woods property on January 27, 2004, and has submitted Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments to establish an Urban Natural Features designation and Environmentally Sensitive Area designation under the new City of Ottawa and former City of Ottawa Official Plans, respectively, and to establish an ES- Environmentally Sensitive zone for the Woods.  These changes reflect the NCC's intention that the Montfort Woods receive the highest level of natural area protection afforded by the City of Ottawa Official Plan and Zoning By-law.  The NCC indicated in their application forms that the Montfort Woods would be used for conservation, educational, interpretation, scientific and passive leisure activity.  They stated that the land would be maintained in its natural state for future generations to enjoy.  The NCC indicated that the Montfort Woods has been designated as part of the National Interest Land Mass, which provides for long-term ownership by the NCC.  This designation has been approved by the Treasury Board.  The NCC is also intending to amend the Plan for Canada's Capital (PFCC)  to reflect the addition of the Montfort Woods to Federal ownership.  The intended designation will be "Natural Heritage Area" the most protective designation in the PFCC.

 

 It has been determined that a small area of the Montfort Woods measuring approximately 20 x 20 metres is located within the I2 F(1.50) zone that has an Official Plan designation of Major Institutional Area in the Official Plan of the former City of  Ottawa.  This amendment will ensure that this small area is captured in the amendments and has the identical Official Plan and zoning designations as the balance of the Montfort Woods landholding that is zoned L3[698]. 

 

DISCUSSION

 

OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENTS

 

The former Regional Official Plan designated the subject property as General Urban Area.  The City Council Adopted Official Plan also designates the subject property as General Urban Area.  Lands having this designation are generally expected to develop with a wide range of residential uses as well as employment, service, cultural, leisure, entertainment and institutional uses. 

 

The former City of Ottawa Official Plan designated these lands Residential Area (as stated above, a small portion of the site also contains a Major Institutional Official Plan designation).  Lands having this designation are expected to include a full range of dwelling types from single-detached to apartment dwellings.  City Council shall encourage the achievement of a diversity and variety of land use and activity within this designation by permitting neighbourhood serving uses, and non-residential uses, subject to provisions etc. 

 

Applications for residential and mixed use development had been received on the subject lands in the past, but had been rejected for numerous planning reasons, including the significant woodlot on the site.  The  Montfort Woods was studied through the former City of Ottawa's Natural and Open Spaces Study (NOSS), which established the relative environmental values of all natural features city-wide.  The Montfort Woods was identified as significant and worthy of protection through this study.  However,  appropriate Official Plan Amendments and Zoning By-law amendments were not brought forward by the former City of Ottawa as the lands were zoned to permit development and were privately owned.  The Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study will update the NOSS for all of urban amalgamated Ottawa, and will likely confirm the NOSS results for this site.  Recent passage into ownership by the NCC will ensure that Montfort Woods is retained for protection and conservation for future generations. 

 

Montfort Woods contains a number of natural features and values that provide a valuable contribution to biodiversity and wildlife habitat in the urban area to be enjoyed by all Ottawa residents.  The Montfort Woods is particularly striking due to it's extent, quality, maturity of the trees growing within this landscape and accessibility to the community

 

Amending the designation on the subject property to Urban Natural Features in the Council Adopted Official Plan and to Environmentally Sensitive Area in the former Official Plan of the City of Ottawa is consistent with the results of NOSS for the Montfort Woods.  Both the Urban Natural Features and Environmentally Sensitive Areas designations will ensure the protection, conservation and the enhancement of the Montfort Woods.  Such designations strictly control development and activity in order to sustain and enhance the integrity of the natural environment.  Additionally, protection of the Woods contributes toward fulfillment of Policy 2.4.5.1b) of the Council Adopted Official Plan target of maintaining 30% forest cover within the City (Official Plan Policy 2.4.5.1. b). 

 

Furthermore, amending the designation on the subject property parallels those steps presently completed by the NCC to designate the Montfort Woods as a "Natural Heritage Area" which is the most protective designation in the PFCC, as well as parallels new steps/initiatives by the NCC for creating specific policies and recommendations for the Montfort Woods within the Urban Lands Master Plan. 

 

Finally, the new designation will reflect the NCC's intended use of these lands for conservation, educational, interpretation, scientific and passive leisure activity.  The lands will remain in their natural state and will be accessible for the use of Ottawa residents and others.  The residents of the adjacent Fairhaven Way, Lang's Road and Greenhill Way have taken considerable interest in these Woods over the years and have informed staff that, in order to ensure the long-term protection, cleanliness and survival of this urban natural feature, they are willing to contribute with the annual clean up of litter and garbage, as well as report any suspicious acts or vandalism to ensure the Montfort Woods remains ecologically healthy, pristine and safe.

 

ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT

 

The majority of the Woods is currently zoned L3 [698] - Community Leisure Zone that permits a variety of public uses.  As stated earlier in this report, a small 20x20 metres area is Zoned I2 F(1.5) which is a Major Institutional Area Zone.

 

Staff is supporting the rezoning of the Montfort Woods to an ES - Environmentally Sensitive Zone.  No uses and no buildings are permitted in this zone designation.  The proposed Zoning By-law amendment will complete the amendment approval process by providing the highest level of zoning protection for this wood lot.  The findings of the NOSS study and the evidence of the existing natural features/values on this property have determined that an ES zone is the most desirable and suitable zoning to be applied for these lands to ensure their long-term protection and ecological health.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The proposed amendments will provide the highest form of environmental protection under the Official Plan and Zoning By-law for an area deemed to have significant environmental value.

 

CONSULTATION

 

Notice of this application was carried out in accordance with the City's Public Notification and Consultation Policy. Information signs were posted on-site indicating the nature of the application.  The Ward Councillor is aware of this application and the staff recommendation.  The City did not receive any negative comments or opposition to this application.  Six letters/emails in support of the application were received.  Detailed comments are provided in Document 5.

 


FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE STATUS

This application was processed within the timeframe established for the processing of Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1      Location Map

Document 2      Proposed Amendment to the Council Adopted Official Plan 

Document 3      Proposed Amendment to the Official Plan of the former City of Ottawa

Document 4      Explanatory Note

Document 5      Consultation Details

 

DISPOSITION

 

Department of Corporate Services, Secretariat Services to notify the owner (National Capital Commission, 202-40 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 1C7, Attention: Richard Scott), All Signs, 8692 Russell Road, Navan, ON  K4B 1J1, and the Program Manager, Assessment, Department of Corporate Services of City Council's decision.

 

Department of Planning and Development to prepare the implementing by-laws and forward to Legal Services Branch, and undertake the statutory notification of the Official Plan Amendments and for the amendment to the Zoning By-Law 1998, of the former City of Ottawa.

 

Department of Corporate Services, Legal Services Branch to forward the by-laws to adopt the Official Plan Amendments and to implement the zoning changes to City Council.

 


LOCATION MAP                                                                                                         Document 1

 


PROPOSED OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT                                                        Document 2

 

Official Plan Amendment 9/Modifications du Plan Directeur 9

 

To the Official Plan of the City of Ottawa

 

 

Land Use

Utilisation du sol

 

 ________________________________________________________________________

 

INDEX

________________________________________________________________________

 

The Statement of Components

 

PART A - THE PREAMBLE

Purpose

Location

Basis

 

PART B- THE AMENDMENT

Introductory Statement

Details of the Amendment

 

PART C - APPENDIX

Appendices

 

 

 

 

THE STATEMENT OF COMPONENTS

 

PART A - THE PREAMBLE, introduces the actual Amendment but does not constitute part of Amendment No. 9 to the City of Ottawa Official Plan.

 

PART B - THE AMENDMENT, consisting of the following text and maps constitutes the actual Amendment No. 9 to the City of Ottawa Official Plan.

 

PART C - THE APPENDIX, does not form part of the Amendment but is provided to clarify the intent and to supply background information related to the Amendment.

 

 

 PART A - THE PREAMBLE

 

1.0 Purpose

 

The subject property at  701-711 Montreal Road is presently designated General Urban Area on Schedule B of the City Council Adopted Official Plan.  The purpose of Amendment No. 9 is to amend the land use designation for the subject property to Urban Natural Features.  The subject amendment constitutes a map change only.

 

2.0 Location

 

The lands affected by the amendment are located north of the Montfort Hospital and a long-term care facility, east of the Aviation Parkway, south of the CFB Rockcliffe lands and west of the Fairhaven community.  The lands are approximately 7 hectares in area.

 

3.0 Basis

 

3.1 Background

 

The affected parcel of land consists of a core and marginal woodland area that includes predominantly Sugar Maple, Beech, Ash, Basswood, and Norway Maple over limestone bedrock..  The applicant, the National Capital Commission (NCC), wishes to protect this wood lot for future generations.

 

3.2 Context of Amendment

 

The applicant is requesting changes to Schedule B, Urban Policy Plan.  The property is presently designated General Urban Area and will be amended to Urban Natural Features. 

 

Lands designated Natural Urban Features are natural landscapes that include woodlands, wetlands, watercourses and ravines.  The existing natural environment on site consists of a core mature woodland that is exceptional within the former City of Ottawa due to the large average tree size, area of cover, abundance of wildlife nesting sites, and diversity within sub-canopy trees.  Aerial photographs from 1928 indicate that the core sugar maple portion of the woods has never been cleared.  The Woods are also interesting from a landform perspective.  A portion of an elevated plateau within the site, where the limestone bedrock is exposed, shows well-developed karst topography.  Karst is a distinctive topography and appears as smooth, rounded depressions in the bedrock.  The Montfort Woods example is particularly striking due to it's extent, quality, maturity of trees growing within this landscape and it's accessibility to the community.  This natural landscape, therefore, provides a valuable contribution to biodiversity and wildlife habitat in the urban area to be enjoyed by Ottawa residents and others.  The NCC has acquired these lands and wishes to use the Woods for conservation, educational, interpretation, scientific and passive leisure uses.  These uses meet the objectives of a Natural Urban Features designation in ensuring that the highest level of protection is provided for the existing natural features occurring at this location.  The current designation does not reflect the natural state of the site and is inappropriate for a wood lot that scored high as a natural woodland in the Natural and Open Spaces Study (NOSS); the latter completed by the former City of Ottawa.  Under the ownership of the NCC these lands will never be built upon and will be designated a "Natural Heritage Area" the most protective designation in the Plan for Canada's Capital (PFCC).  Additionally, the protection of the Woods contributes toward fulfillment of Policy 2.4.5.1b) of the Council Adopted Official Plan target of maintaining 30% forest cover within the City (Policy 2.4.5.1b)).     

 

Given the foregoing context, it is appropriate and desirable to redesignate the land Urban Natural Area to allow the Montfort Woods to be protected in their natural state for the use and enjoyment of residents today and of future generations.

 

 

 

PART B - THE AMENDMENT

 

1.0 The Introductory Statement

 

All of this part of the document entitled Part B - The Amendment, consisting of the following text and schedule included as Schedule "B", constitutes Amendment No. 9 to the City of Ottawa Official Plan.

 

2.0 Details of Amendment

 

The City of Ottawa Official Plan is hereby amended as follows:

 

2.1   The Official Plan - Schedule B - Urban Policy Plan is amended to include the following changes shown on Schedule "B" attached hereto:

 

I) Redesignate the lands located north of the Montfort Hospital, east of the Aviation Parkway, south of CFB Rockcliffe and west of the Fairhaven community from General Urban Area to Urban Natural Features.

 

 

PART C - THE APPENDIX

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 



 

 


                                                                                                                                        Document 3

 

Official Plan Amendment 60/Modifications due Plan directeur 60

 

To the Official Plan of the City of Ottawa

 

 

Land use

Utilisation du sol                                                                                                                                 

 

 ________________________________________________________________________

 

INDEX

________________________________________________________________________

 

The Statement of Components

 

PART A - THE PREAMBLE

Purpose

Location

Basis

 

PART B- THE AMENDMENT

Introductory Statement

Details of the Amendment

 

PART C - APPENDIX

Appendices

 

 

 

 

THE STATEMENT OF COMPONENTS

 

PART A - THE PREAMBLE, introduces the actual Amendment but does not constitute part of Amendment No. 60 to the Official Plan of the former City of Ottawa.

 

PART B - THE AMENDMENT, consisting of the following text and maps constitutes the actual Amendment No. 60 to the Official Plan of the former City of Ottawa.

 

PART C - THE APPENDIX, does not form part of the Amendment but is provided to clarify the intent and to supply background information related to the Amendment.

 

 PART A - THE PREAMBLE

 

1.0 Purpose

 

The subject property at  701-711 Montreal Road is presently designated Residential Area on Schedule A of the Official Plan of the former City of Ottawa.  A small 20x20 metre area is designated Major Institutional Area on Schedule A.  The purpose of Amendment No. 60 is to amend the land use designations for the subject property to Environmentally Sensitive Area.  The subject  amendment constitutes a map change only. 

 

2.0 Location

 

 The lands affected by the amendment are located north of the Montfort Hospital and a long-term care facility, east of the Aviation Parkway, south of the CFB Rockcliffe lands and west of the Fairhaven community.  The lands are approximately 7 hectares in area.

 

3.0 Basis

 

3.1 Background

 

The affected parcel of land consists of a core and marginal woodland area that includes predominantly Sugar Maple, Beech, Ash, Basswood, and Norway Maple over limestone bedrock..  The applicant, the National Capital Commission (NCC), wishes to protect this wood lot for future generations. 

 

3.2 Context of Amendment

 

The applicant is requesting changes to Schedule A, Land Use Plan.  The property is presently designated Residential Area and Institutional Area and will be amended to Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA). 

 

The objectives of lands designated Environmentally Sensitive Area are to ensure the protection, conservation and enhancement of the area, to strictly control development and activity in order to sustain and enhance the integrity of the natural environment, and to promote public awareness/education.  Environmentally Sensitive Areas include woodlands, wetlands, watercourses and ravines.  The existing natural environment on site consists of a core mature woodland that is exceptional within the former City of Ottawa due to the large average tree size, area of cover, abundance of wildlife nesting sites, and diversity within sub-canopy trees.  Aerial photographs from 1928 indicate that the core sugar maple portion of the woods has never been cleared.  The Woods are also interesting from a landform perspective.  A portion of an elevated plateau within the site, where the limestone bedrock is exposed, shows well-developed karst topography.  Karst is a distinctive topography and appears as smooth, rounded depressions in the bedrock.  The Montfort Woods example is particularly striking due to it's extent, quality, maturity of trees growing within this landscape and it's accessibility to the community.  This natural landscape, therefore, provides a valuable contribution to biodiversity and wildlife habitat in the urban area to be enjoyed by Ottawa residents and others.  The NCC has acquired these lands and wishes to use the Woods for conservation, educational, interpretation, scientific and passive leisure uses.  These uses conform with the objectives of the  ESA designation.  Amending the Plan to an ESA designation plays an important role in ensuring that the highest level of protection is provided for the existing natural features occurring at this location.  The current designations do not reflect the natural state of the site and are inappropriate for a wood lot that scored high as a natural woodland in the Natural and Open Spaces Study (NOSS); the latter completed by the former City of Ottawa.  Under the ownership of the NCC these lands will never be built upon and will be designated a "Natural Heritage Area" the most protective designation in the Plan for Canada's Capital (PFCC).  Additionally, the protection of the Woods contributes toward fulfillment of Policy 2.4.5.1b) of the Council Adopted Official Plan target of maintaining 30% forest cover within the City (Policy 2.4.5.1b)).

 

Given the foregoing context, it is appropriate and compatible to redesignate the land Environmentally Sensitive Area to allow the Montfort Woods to be protected in their natural state for the use and enjoyment of residents today and of future generations.

 

 

PART B - THE AMENDMENT

 

1.0 The Introductory Statement

 

All of this part of the document entitled Part B - The Amendment, consisting of the following text and schedule included as Schedule "B", constitutes Amendment No. 60 to the Official Plan of former City of Ottawa.

 

2.0 Details of Amendment

 

The former City of Ottawa Official Plan is hereby amended as follows:

 

2.1 The Official Plan - Schedule A - Land Use Plan is amended to include the following changes shown on Schedule "B" attached hereto:

 

I) Redesignate the lands located north of the Montfort Hospital, east of the Aviation Parkway, south of CFB Rockcliffe and west of the Fairhaven community from General Urban Area to Environmentally Sensitive Area

 

 

PART C - THE APPENDIX

 

N/A

 

 




 

EXPLANATORY NOTE                                                                                                Document 4

 

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXPLANATORY NOTE TO BY-LAW NUMBER

 

By-law Number ………………  amends Zoning By-law, 1998, the former City of Ottawa's Comprehensive Zoning By-law.  This amendment affects those lands known municipally as 701-711 Montreal Road, located north of the Montfort Hospital, east of the Aviation Parkway, south of CFB Rockcliffe and west of the Fairhaven community .  The applicant is requesting amendments to both the Council Adopted Official Plan and the Official Plan of the former City of Ottawa.  The lands presently contain an old wood lot and the proposed zoning amendment is intended to provide the highest level of zoning protection for this wood lot, known as the Montfort Woods.

 

Current Zoning

 

The majority of the subject property is currently zoned Leisure L3[698] which is a Community Leisure zone with exceptions.  The L3 zone allows a limited number of uses, such as a community centre, a park, a recreational and athletic facility, a sports arena and a utility installation.  A small area of the site measuring approximately 20 x 20 metres is located within an I2 F(1.50) zone - Major Institutional zone.  The Montfort Hospital and a long-term care facility are within this institutional zone.  The [698] exception permits a wide range of uses, including a number of public uses, such as, a community centre, place of worship, school, college or university, fire station etc.

 

Proposed Zoning

 

The proposed zoning is ES -Environmentally Sensitive Area zone.  This zoning permits no uses and no buildings.  The zoning is intended to prohibit uses that have the potential to impact negatively on land designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Area.

 

For further information on the amendment, please contact Gordon Harrison at 580-2424 ext. 13868.

 

 

 


CONSULTATION DETAILS                                                                                       Document 5

 

NOTIFICATION AND CONSULTATION PROCESS

 

Notification and public consultation was undertaken in accordance with the Public Notification and Public Consultation Policy approved by City Council for Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments.  No public meetings were held in the community before the meeting scheduled at Planning and Environment Committee. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Six letters/emails were received all in support of the proposed amendments.

 

SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INPUT

"We (the community) wish to thank the NCC for acquiring this property and entering it into the Urban Lands Master Plan as an example of Ottawa's earliest forest cover."

 

One resident expressed appreciation of all the hard work on the part of City of Ottawa staff and others in helping to preserve this unique part of the city.

 

"Unfortunately their (the Montfort Woods) passage into ownership by the NCC, with a consequent change to a high probability for protection, came at the expense of the former City of Ottawa's Greenway System's Rideau River Corridor (Corridor 5011) area at Moffatt Farm, which the NCC sold for development to the former owner of the Montfort Woods as part of the deal to acquire Montfort Woods.  The loss of this important greenspace is unfortunate indeed."

 

The Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital in their conclusion stated:  "The Montfort Woods example has shown us that it is possible to save Greenspace in the City.  However, it also demonstrates how long citizens must fight to save the precious little greenspace that we have left.  It also shows us that there are significant flaws in the public policy, planning, by-laws, procedures and processes that allow the dwindling greenscape in Canada's Capital to continue to be destroyed."

 

The Federation of Citizens' Association of Ottawa-Carleton wrote:  "Ottawa is particularly blessed with ecologically significant and rare natural features - like Montfort Woods - still intact within its boundaries.  These are what makes Ottawa's beauty as a modern city unique.  Once gone they can never be replaced.  It is essential that we preserve these spaces now, for ourselves and for future generations.  We look to you the Planning and Development Department to be a major guardian of our city's environment."

 

 


COUNCILLOR’S COMMENTS

Councillor Legendre informed the Department as follows:

 

Protection of the Montfort Woods has been a concern and a goal for some considerable time within the community.  The area is a small urban forest on a rocky promontory.  It contains many very large trees and is a joy to stroll through. 

 

The site is bounded on the north by the Rockcliffe Military Base, which is slated for significant intensification in the years to come, and on the south by the Montfort Hospital and a long-term care facility.  It is fitting that, on the one hand, the protected status of these lands be settled prior to any redevelopment within the Base, and on the other hand, that the elderly and frail residents of the long-term care facility as well as nearby communities know that this precious urban natural area will remain as it is today.

 

The proposed designation, which would accord the highest level of natural area protection in the City's Official Plan and Zoning By-Law, is most appropriate and will be welcomed by the surrounding community.

 

I am pleased to recognize the important role that the Federal Authorities (N.C.C. and the local M.P.) have played in achieving this happy result.

 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMENTS

The Ottawa Forests and Greenscape Advisory Committee support the proposal by the NCC to ask the City to upgrade the level of protection for the 7 hectare Montfort Woods through these Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments and indicated the changes are welcomed.

 

 


OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING - 701-711 mONTREAL rOAD

PLAN OFFICIEL ET ZONAGE - 701-711, CHEMIN DE MONTRÉAL

ACS2004-DEV-APR-0139                                                    Rideau-Rockcliffe (13)

 

Acting Chair Holmes began by reading a statement required under the Planning Act, which advised that anyone who intended to appeal this proposed Zoning By-law Amendment to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), must either voice their objections at the public meeting, or submit their comments in writing prior to the amendment being adopted by City Council. Failure to do so could result in refusal/dismissal of the appeal by the OMB.

 

Barbara Barr, Greenspace Alliance of Canada’s Capital (GACC), was present in support of the recommendation contained in departmental report dated 29 June 2004.  The Committee also received an e-mail dated 23 August 2004 from Al Crosby, which was circulated and is held on file with the City Clerk together with the written submission by Ms. Barr (in support and containing additional comments related to the protection of greenspace).  Councillor J. Legendre, as the Ward Councillor, recognized the NCC’s role in this dossier has been exemplary.  The Committee approved the recommendations.

 

That the Planning and Environment Committee recommend that Council:

 

1.         approve and adopt an amendment to Schedule B of Volume 1 of the Council Adopted Official Plan of the City of Ottawa to redesignate 701-711 Montreal Road, the Montfort Woods, from General Urban Area to Urban Natural Features, as detailed in Document 2.

 

2.         approve and adopt an amendment to Schedule B of Volume I of the Official Plan of the former City of Ottawa to redesignate 701-711 Montreal Road, the Montfort Woods, from Residential Area and Major Institutional Area to Environmentally Sensitive Area, as detailed in Document 3.

 

3.         approve the application to amend the former City of Ottawa Zoning By-law, 1998, for 701-711 Montreal Road, the Montfort Woods, from L3[698] - Community Leisure Zone and I2 F(1.5) - Major Institutional Zone to an ES - Environmentally Sensitive Area Zone, as shown in Document 1.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED