1.             VILLAGE OF CONSTANCE BAY - COMMUNITY PLAN

 

VILLAGE DE CONSTANCE BAY – PLAN COMMUNAUTAIRE

 

 

 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED

 

That Council:

 

1.         Adopt Official Plan Amendment xx, as attached in Document 1, to repeal the Village Plan for Constance Bay that is in Volume 2C of the Official Plan and make a change to the village boundary on Schedule A of the Official Plan.

 

2.                  Approve the Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay as attached in Document 2 (issued separately) and as amended by the following:

 

            a)         That Section 4.1 of the Community Plan be amended to assess the impact of the new road on the Kilmaurs Side Road – Dunrobin Road Intersection by adding the following as new policy 3:

 

“The requirements for the new road connecting to Kilmaurs Side Road described in policy 2 above the intersection at Dunrobin Road will be investigated through a traffic impact study that will be required to support the subdivision applications for the New Residential Development Area.” ; and

 

            b)         That the strategies in Section 9 be deleted and replaced with the following:

 

The City will help to co-ordinate and establish a community committee, (Beach Steering Committee) to work with the community (that includes both waterfront owners and non waterfront owners) to establish a protocol for the use and maintenance of the beach.  The role of the committee will be to oversee a process to help the community to develop a beach protocol for Constance Bay.  The protocol will address existing management problems as well as use and maintenance of the beach area.  The process to develop the protocol should provide an opportunity for everyone in the community to participate and provide input.  Staff from the City, the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) will support the process by providing information as to the tools that are available to address problems identified by the community.  The participants required to help the community develop the protocol include:

 

·        The Community – waterfront owners and community members who do not own waterfront property

·        The City – representatives from By-law, Recreation, Fire, Police, Planning and Growth Management

·        Government agencies – Ministry of Natural Resources, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority

 

The proposed protocol will be presented and discussed at a community meeting that is advertised in the community.  The community meeting must take place during the months of July or August.

 

 

RecommandationS MODIFIÉES du comi

 

Que le Conseil municipal :

 

1.         adopte la modification au Plan officiel no XX ci-jointe (document 1) abrogeant le Plan de conception communautaire du village de Constance Bay, lequel figure au volume 2C du Plan officiel, et apporte les changements requis aux limites du village définies à l’annexe A du Plan officiel;

 

2.                  approuve le Plan de conception communautaire du village de Constance Bay figurant au document 2 (distribué séparément), sous réserve de ce qui suit :

 

a)         Que la sous-section 4.1 du Plan de conception communautaire sera modifiée par l’ajout de la nouvelle politique 3 suivante, laquelle vise à évaluer l’incidence de la nouvelle voie sur l’intersection de la route secondaire Kilmaurs et du chemin Dunrobin :

 

« Les exigences relatives au prolongement de la route secondaire Kilmaurs (au nord de l’intersection de la route secondaire Kilmaurs et du chemin Dunrobin), lesquelles sont décrites à la politique no 2, feront l’objet d’une étude des répercussions sur la circulation aux fins des demandes d’aménagement de lots désignés « nouvelle aire résidentielle »; et

 

b)         Que les stratégies de la Section 9 doivent être supprimées et remplacées par ce qui suit :

 

La Ville aidera à coordonner et à mettre sur pied un comité communautaire (comité directeur sur la plage) qui collaborera avec les résidents, c’est-à-dire tous les propriétaires fonciers, que leurs terrains bordent la rivière ou non, afin d’établir un protocole sur l’utilisation et l’entretien de la plage. Le comité aura pour mission de coordonner le processus d’élaboration du protocole qui portera sur la résolution des problèmes de gestion actuels de même que sur l’utilisation et l’entretien de la plage de Constance Bay. Le processus devrait permettre à tous les membres de la communauté de participer à l’élaboration du protocole et de donner leur point de vue à cet égard. Des représentants de la Ville, de l’Office de protection de la nature de la vallée de la rivière Mississippi (OPNVRM) et du ministère des Richesses naturelles de l'Ontario (MRN) fourniront des renseignements sur les outils mis à la disposition du comité pour résoudre les problèmes cernés par la communauté. Les participants sollicités pour l’élaboration du protocole comprendront notamment :

 

·        des membres de la communauté : tous les propriétaires fonciers, que leurs terrains bordent la rivière ou non;

·        la Ville : des représentants de Services des règlements municipaux, de Parcs et Loisirs, du Service des incendies, du Service de police et d’Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance;

·        des organismes gouvernementaux : des représentants du MRN et de l’OPNVRM.

 

Le protocole proposé sera présenté et débattu à une réunion publique qui devra avoir lieu en juillet ou en août et dont l’annonce sera faite dans la communauté.

 

 

 

 

For the information of Council

 

The following direction to staff was approved by Committee:

 

That staff be directed to recognize the mobility limitations of seniors and persons with disabilities so as to respond appropriately in developing a parking strategy, discussed in Section 8.1 of the Village Plan.

 

 

Pour la gouverne du Conseil

 

La directive qui suit a été approuvée par le Comité :

 

Que le personnel soit chargé de tenir compte des obstacles auxquels font face les aînés et les personnes handicapées ayant une mobilité réduite en élaborant une stratégie sur le stationnement, comme il est précisé à la sous-section 8.1 du Plan de conception communautaire.

 


 
Documentation

 

1.                  Deputy City Manager, Planning and Growth Management and Deputy City Manager, Community and Protective Services report dated 6 April 2006 (ACS2006-PGM-POL-0029).

 

2.         Extract of Draft Minutes 26, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meeting of May 11, 2006.

 


Report to/Rapport au :

 

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

Comité de l'agriculture et des questions rurales

 

and Council / et au Conseil

 

6 April 2006 / le 6 avril 2006

 

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

Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance 

 

Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager/Directeur général adjoint,

Community and Protective Services/Services Communautaires et de Protection

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource :

Richard Kilstrom, Manager/Gestionnaire

Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Policy/

Politique d'urbanisme, d'environnement et d'infrastructure

(613) 580-2424 x22653, Richard.Kilstrom@ottawa.ca

 

Aaron Burry, Director/Directeur

Parks and Recreation/Parcs et Loisirs

(613) 580-2424 x 23666, Aaron.Burry@ottawa.ca

 

West Carleton (5)

Ref N°: ACS2006-PGM-POL-0029

 

 

SUBJECT:

VILLAGE OF ConstaNCe Bay - Community Plan

 

 

OBJET :

VILLAGE DE CONSTANCE BAY – PLAN COMMUNAUTAIRE

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council:

 

1.         Adopt Official Plan Amendment xx, as attached in Document 1, to repeal the Village Plan for Constance Bay that is in Volume 2C of the Official Plan and make a change to the village boundary on Schedule A of the Official Plan.

 

2.         Approve the Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay as attached in Document 2 (issued separately).

 


RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité de l'agriculture et des questions rurales recommande au Conseil :

 

1.         d’adopter la modification xx au Plan officiel, telle que jointe dans le document 1, afin d’abroger le Plan de village relatif à Constance Bay, qui se trouve dans le Volume 2C du Plan officiel, et de changer la limite du village à l’Annexe A du Plan officiel.

 

2.         d’approuver le Plan communautaire du village de Constance Bay, tel que joint dans le document 2 (distribué séparément).

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay is the result of a collaborative community effort.  The community worked with City staff to develop the vision for the future and the strategies for achieving that vision.  The objective of the Community Plan process is to make decisions that clearly respond to real issues and achieve community support through a bottom-up rather than top-down approach.  Staff from the Planning and Growth Management Department (Community Planning and Design Division) and the Community and Protective Services Department (Parks and Recreation Branch) worked jointly to develop the Community Plan as it addresses responsibilities of both departments, including land use planning and future community program and facility needs.

 

The Community Plan will guide the long-term evolution and community needs of the Village of Constance Bay in the future.  It is organized into two parts.

 

This Community Plan replaces the Official Plan that was adopted by the former Township of West Carleton in 1992 and was brought forward after amalgamation into Volume 2C of the Ottawa Official Plan (2003).

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

Community Plan

The community (through the Constance and Buckham's Bay Community Association) requested that a Community Plan be undertaken for the Village of Constance Bay.  The community believed that a plan was needed to provide a vision for what the community wants the village to be like in the future and to identify the strategies required to achieve the vision.

 

The vision that was articulated by the community at a Visioning Workshop at the outset of the process on September 18, 2004, is the basis for the objectives for the Community Plan.  The Community Plan's objectives are to:

·           Recognize that Constance Bay is a rural community with a small village flavour– not a tourist destination;

·           Maintain the riverfront character of the community;

·           Enhance the appearance of Constance Bay;

·           Improve road, bicycle, pedestrian connections both inside and outside of the village;

·           Provide better community services in the village;

·           Provide additional recreational facilities and programs needed in the community;

·           Preserve the Torbolton Forest and update its management plan;

·           Protect the groundwater, the source of drinking water in the community;

·           Develop a strategy to address the weed problem along the beach/in the Ottawa River;

·           Establish a community protocol for use of the beach;

·           Develop a management strategy for the water access points that are owned by the City;

·           Ensure the safety of the residents through the development of an emergency measures plan;

·           Create a plan that is practical and affordable.

 

The strategies to achieve these objectives were chosen by the community at a Strategic Directions Workshop on April 9, 2005.  Participants were asked to fill out workbooks to choose strategies and identify priorities to achieve the objectives.  The results of the workshop were verified in a survey distributed to all residents in Constance Bay.  Approximately 2,100 surveys were distributed and 367 were returned, a return rate of 17.5%.  The results of the public consultation process are summarized in Appendix 1 of the Community Plan.

 

This Community Plan is a plan of action that contains the strategies to achieve the objectives that have been articulated by all residents of Constance Bay - property owners, permanent residents and seasonal residents.  It contains the strategies required to turn objectives and values into achievable results.  The Plan is organized into 10 Sections that are summarized below.

 

1.  The Vision for Constance Bay

This section contains the vision and the objectives for the Community Plan that were developed in the community workshops.

 

2.  Managing Growth

The Community Plan contains policies to ensure that new development is compatible with existing development.  The groundwater study that was undertaken for the village identifies measures required to protect the groundwater supply from contamination, which is important for securing a long-term potable water supply for the community.  An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been initiated to provide guidance for how the future development in Constance Bay will proceed.  The EMP will recommend measures to preserve significant natural features and identify best practices for stormwater management. 


 

3.  Land Use

The land use plan provides guidance for how the policies in the Official Plan will be interpreted or implemented in the Village of Constance Bay.  It addresses policies for commercial, residential, and natural environment areas as well as the community park and flood plain.

 

4.  Linkages Inside and Outside the Village

The Community and Protective Services Department will prepare an Emergency Measures Plan to address emergency preparedness and the risk of fire and flooding in the community.  The Community Plan also provides for paving the shoulder along the mainstreets in the community, Bayview Drive and Constance Bay Road, to be used by both cyclists and pedestrians.

 

5.  Community and Recreation Facility Needs

The Master Development Plan for the Constance and Buckham's Bay Community Park, prepared by Lashley and Associates (November 1999), will be updated once the boundary of the Park has been confirmed and will be used as a guide for the development of the community park.  More youth programs are required and a program to control poison ivy is also required.  The Ottawa Police Service will organize a session to discuss crime in the community. 

 

6.  Torbolton Forest

The 5-year operating and 10-year capital plans for the Torbolton Forest will be updated to implement the priorities identified during the consultation process.  These priorities include City support for the annual spring clean up of the Forest, provision of forest fire hazard information to the public, silviculture intervention and control of insects to improve the health of the Torbolton Forest and protection and enhancement of the special ANSI features.

 

7.  Water Quality

The groundwater study that was undertaken for the village recommended that the residents of Constance Bay be notified of a potential widespread nitrate issue in the groundwater and encouraged to have their water tested for bacteria and nitrates.  As a result of this recommendation, the Medical Officer of Health sent a letter to all residents of Constance Bay on October 25, 2005 advising that the results of the groundwater study indicated that 19% of the wells sampled were at concentrations above the acceptable standard of 10 milligrams per litre (mg/L) as defined by the Ontario Drinking Water Standards.  The Plan requires hydrological studies to support new development within the Village which will take into account the observed build-up of nitrates in the overburden sand aquifer and provide measures to minimize additional nitrate loading.  The Plan also recommends best management practices for waterfront properties to maintain the water quality and natural functions of the Ottawa River.

 

8.  Water Access and Management of Road Allowances

The Plan requires public accesses to the water to be maintained as a heritage resource in the community.  A program will be initiated to identify encroachments on City road allowances and notify adjacent owners who may be inadvertently or intentionally encroaching on City property.  The Plan also provides a management strategy for the water access points.


 

9.  The Beach at Constance Bay

A process has been established for the community to develop a protocol for use and maintenance of the beach.  A Beach Steering Committee will be created to oversee the process and ensure that everyone in the community has an opportunity to participate in the development of the beach protocol.  City staff will participate and act as a resource to explain the tools (from by-law, police, planning, fire, parks and recreation services) that are available to address the problems that have been identified.

 

10.  Implementation

This section summarizes the recommended actions, assigns responsibilities and provides a time line for implementation of the Community Plan.

 

Official Plan Amendment 

Section 2.5.6 of the Official Plan states that community design plans will be approved by Council as policy documents to guide future development.  Policy 4 states that Secondary Plans existing prior to the formation of the new City of Ottawa are included in Volume 2 and that over time community design plans will replace many of these secondary plans.  The secondary plan for the village of Constance Bay is found in Volume 2C.  The Official Plan will be amended to delete the reference to Constance Bay in the village plan for "Constance Bay, Dunrobin, Fitzroy Harbour, Galetta, Kinburn" in Volume 2C as the secondary plan will be superseded by the Community Plan.  The Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay will be approved by City Council, as a policy document, to guide the long-term growth and development of Constance Bay.  It will provide guidelines for the day-to-day decision-making on land use planning, such as subdivision, zoning and site plan applications, and it sets out the community’s priorities for the future.

 

The amendment also introduces an expansion of the Village boundary as shown on Schedule A of the Official Plan in order to provide a better road connection from Allbirch Street to the Kilmaurs Side Road.  This road, to be built through the subdivision process, would provide a second access into the Village in case of an emergency.  Currently, Constance Bay Road provides the only access in and out of the village.  The road alignment shown in the former West Carleton Official Plan is not feasible due to physical constraints (gulleys) and potential conflicts with a residence on Kilmaurs Side Road.  The expansion of the village boundary to the west provides sufficient space to avoid the physical constraints and enables the road to be located so it will have less impact on the nearby residence. 

 

Section 2.2.2 on Village Boundaries in the 2003 Official Plan expresses Council’s policy on village boundary amendments.  The proposed amendment is consistent with this policy.  Where the policy requires that development of new village lands be guided by a community design plan, the new village land in Constance Bay will be guided by the Community Plan.  Further, Section 2.2.2 requires that the proposal meet the requirements of rural servicing, a requirement met by the proposed Environmental Management Plan and requirements for hydrological studies to support new development.  Section 2.2.2 also requires consideration of the effects of the proposed boundary on the village structure and character; the proposed boundary change improves the structure of the village by providing a second access road to the community.  No negative impact on the Village character has been identified through the consultation.  Finally, no agriculture areas, mineral resource areas, or environmental areas are affected by the proposal. 

 

The proposed amendment is also consistent with the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement (PPS).  The 2005 PPS permits the expansion of a settlement area, such as a village, on the basis of a comprehensive review, which can be in the form of an official plan amendment initiated by the municipality.  Among other matters, the PPS requires that expansions be considered with respect to opportunities for growth within the designated area and the availability of infrastructure.  In this case, the proposed addition of 20 ha to the village replaces some of the land with residential potential that was designated in the former West Carleton Official Plan.  This plan designated as residential about 30 ha identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources as a provincially significant ANSI.  In 2004 the city purchased this property to ensure it would be protected as a Natural Environment Area.

 

SUMMARY OF ISSUES

 

The draft Community Plan was made available for everyone in the community to review.  Two community meetings were held to discuss the recommendations in the draft Plan.  The issues raised during the consultation process are summarized below.

 

Beach Protocol

There were a number of comments received from the public regarding the need to address problems related to maintenance and access to the beach area.  There was support for development of a community-based protocol provided that it is based on an open and transparent process. 

 

The Plan has been revised to better define the role of the Beach Steering Committee and ensure that everyone in the community has an opportunity to participate in the development of the beach protocol.  

 

Community Park Boundary

The Community Park is located on the south side of Len Purcell Drive and is bounded on three sides by the ANSI.  The CBBCA has raised concerns about boundary of the Community Park as shown in the draft Plan.  The CBBCA feels that additional land is required for the community park to provide for the future recreation needs of the community.  The Natural Environment Area designation/ANSI of the area would limit the ability for the community park to be expanded in the future.  The CBBCA has requested that the Community Plan be revised to provide for a process to review the lands by incorporating a clause to list the property of interest around the CBBCA community centre as "Future Community Park" with the necessary wording to indicate that the community of Constance Bay has requested re-designation of said lands to Community Park. 

 

The Plan has been revised to provide a process for the review of the Community Park/Natural Environment Area boundary.  The Plan now states that the precise boundary of the Community Park will be defined in the zoning by-law based on a review of the Natural Environment Area/ANSI boundary.  The City will undertake an evaluation of the site in consultation with the MNR to determine the precise boundary of the ANSI and the Community Park, which will be shown in the new zoning by-law.

 

The CBBCA has also raised concerns regarding the use of these lands.  While there are several issues the most pressing is the poison ivy that dominates the ANSI and encroaches on the sports fields.  The community expects the CBBCA to lead the resolution of these problems.  The CBBCA feels that a designation of Torbolton Forest moves these lands under the stewardship of the city's Forestry boards and departments which they believe is a potentially insurmountable and completely unnecessary obstacle.

 

The Torbolton Forest is managed by the City' Public Works and Services Department (Parks and Forestry Division).  Poison ivy is a health and safety issue and the Department has indicated that if poison ivy is a problem in public areas, the City will take immediate action to remove it.  Management of the lands adjacent to the community centre will be undertaken in consultation with the CBBCA.

 

Village Boundary Change

The owners of the lands within the New Residential Development Area have indicated that the road alignment for the connection between Allbirch Street and Kilmaurs Side Road as shown in the draft Community Plan is not feasible due to physical constraints (gulleys) and potential conflicts with a residence on Kilmaurs Side Road. 

 

The road alignment for the road connection originated in the former West Carleton Plan and was carried forward into the draft Community Plan.  A site visit with land owners has confirmed that the alignment that was proposed in the draft Plan is not practical.  An expansion of the Village boundary as shown on Schedule A of the Official Plan is being proposed in order to provide a better road connection from Allbirch Street to the Kilmaurs Side Road.  The expansion of the village boundary to the west provides sufficient space to avoid the physical constraints and enables the road to be located so it will have less impact on the nearby residence.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The Community Plan requires that an Environmental Management Plan be undertaken for the new development area to guide future development.  Approximately 20 ha is proposed to be redesignated to "Village" from "General Rural Area".  The EMP will address stormwater management, protection of significant natural features, and protection of the groundwater supply.  The Plan also encourages property owners to implement best management practices to reduce the impact of development along the Ottawa River shore. 

 

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The Community Plan is a comprehensive document that sets out the community's priorities for the future and the strategies for implementation.  The Community Plan has two components, a Land Use Plan to address growth management, land use and development issues and a Community Development Strategy to address community needs regarding facilities and programs that are required both now and in the future.

 

CONSULTATION

 

A collaborative community process was used to develop the Community Design Plan.  Two workshops were held in the community to develop the vision and the strategies to achieve that vision.  The results of the workshop were verified in a survey distributed to all residents of Constance Bay.  Approximately 2,100 surveys were distributed and 367 were returned, a return rate of 17.5%. 

 

The draft plan is based on the results of the visioning and strategic directions workshops.  Two community meetings were held to discuss the draft Community Plan.  The Community Plan has been revised based on the comments received on the draft Plan.

 

The draft Community Plan was circulated to the Torbolton Forest Advisory Committee and Council's Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee and the Environmental Advisory Committee, and their comments were incorporated into the revised Plan.

 

Notice of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and the Planning and Environment Committee meeting to consider the Plan was published in the West Carleton Review. 

Councillor El-Chantiry is aware of the Community Plan process.

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The Community Plan is a long-range document that articulates community needs and priorities in the future.  The cost of these initiatives will be determined by the respective Departments during the annual budget preparation process.

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1 - Official Plan Amendment __

Document 2 - Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay issued separately and filed with the City Clerk

Document 3 - Consultation Details.

 

DISPOSITION

 

1.      The Planning and Growth Management Department will issue the Notice of Decision within the 20 day appeal period for Amendment __.

2.      The Planning and Growth Management Department will revise Annex 5 to the Official Plan to indicate that the Village of Constance Bay is subject to a Community Design Plan (replacing the reference to a Village Plan).


OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT                                                              DOCUMENT 1

 

 

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. __ TO THE OFFICIAL PLAN (2003)

OF THE CITY OF OTTAWA

 


INDEX

 

 

COMPONENTS

 

PART A – THE PREAMBLE

Purpose...............................................................................................................................................

Location..............................................................................................................................................

Basis...................................................................................................................................................

 

PART B – THE AMENDMENT

Introduction.........................................................................................................................................

Details.................................................................................................................................................

Implementation....................................................................................................................................

 



 

COMPONENTS

 

PART A – THE PREAMBLE does not constitute part of this Amendment.

 

PART B – THE AMENDMENT, consisting of the following text and Schedule 1, constitutes Amendment No. __ to the Official Plan of the City of Ottawa.

 

PART A - THE PREAMBLE

 

1.   Purpose

 

The purpose of Amendment __ is to delete the reference to Constance Bay in the village plan for "Constance Bay, Dunrobin, Fitzroy Harbour, Galetta, Kinburn" in Volume 2C as the secondary plan for Constance Bay will be superseded by the Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay. 

 

2.   Location

 

This amendment applies to the area designated as “Village” in the Ottawa Official Plan.

 

3.   Basis

 

The Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay replaces the Official Plan policies for Constance Bay that were adopted by the former Township of West Carleton in 1992.  It updates the old plan and provides guidance for how the policies in the new Ottawa Official Plan will be implemented.  The plan was developed collaboratively with the community and it provides direction for how the village will develop in the future. 

 

Section 2.5.6 8 of the Official Plan states that Council will approve community design plans as policy documents to guide future development.  Policy 4, states that secondary plans existing prior to the formation of the new City of Ottawa are included in Volume 2 and that over time community design plans will replace many of these secondary plans.  The secondary plan for the village of Constance Bay is found in Volume 2C.  This amendment deletes the reference to Constance Bay in the village plan for "Constance Bay, Dunrobin, Fitzroy Harbour, Galetta, Kinburn" in Volume 2C as the secondary plan for Constance Bay will be superceded by the community plan.  The Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay will be approved by City Council, as a policy document, to guide the long-term growth and development of Constance Bay, based on the vision residents of the village hold.  It will provide guidelines for the day-to-day decision-making on land use planning, such as subdivision, zoning and site plan applications, and it sets out the community’s priorities for the future.

 

The amendment also introduces an expansion of the Village boundary on Schedule A of the Official Plan in order to provide a better road connection from Allbirch Street to the Kilmaurs Side Road.  This road, to be built through the subdivision process, would provide a second access into the Village in case of an emergency.  Currently, Constance Bay Road provides the only access in and out of the village.  The road alignment shown in the former West Carleton Official Plan is not feasible due to physical constraints (gulleys) and potential conflicts with a residence on Kilmaurs Side Road.  The expansion of the village boundary to the west provides sufficient space to avoid the physical constraints and enables the road to be located so it will have less impact on the nearby residence.  The 20 ha expansion provides additional land for residential development in Constance Bay, replacing some of the residential potential that was designated in the former West Carleton Official Plan.  The West Carleton Plan had designated, as "Residential", approximately 30 ha of land that had been classified by MNR as a provincially significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI).  In 2004 the City purchased this property to protect it as a Natural Environment Area.

 

PART B - THE AMENDMENT

 

1.         Introduction

 

All of this part of this document entitled Part B - The Amendment, consisting of the following text and Schedule 1, constitutes Amendment No. __ to the Official Plan of the City of Ottawa.

 

2.         Details

 

2.1       Ottawa Official Plan Volume 2C “Village Plans for Constance Bay, Dunrobin, Fitzroy Harbour, Galetta, Kinburn ” is hereby amended by:

a)      Deleting the reference to Constance Bay in the title so that it reads “Dunrobin, Fitzroy Harbour, Galetta. Kinburn”;

b)      Section 6(8)(a) is amended by deleting the words “Constance Bay Schedule “C”

c)      Sections 6(8)(b), (c), (d) (e), (f) are amended by deleting the phrase “Village Schedules “C” to “G” and replacing it with “Village Schedules “D” to “G”;

d)      Schedule “C” (the land use plan) for Constance Bay is deleted;

e)      Section 6(8)(h) “The Village of Constance Bay – Schedule C” is deleted in its entirety.

 

2.2       Schedule A is hereby amended as follows:

a)      The area designated “General Rural Area” is changed to “Village” as shown on Schedule 1.

 

3.         Implementation

 

The implementation of this Amendment to the Official Plan shall be in accordance with the policies of the 2003 Official Plan of the City of Ottawa. 


DOCUMENT 3

CONSULTATION DETAILS

 

There was extensive community consultation in developing the Community Plan for Constance Bay.  The draft Community Plan was discussed at two community meetings (October and February).  The following is a summary of the written comments that were received on the draft Community Plan.

 

Constance and Buckham’s Bay Community Association (CBBCA)

The CBBCA has raised concerns about the boundary of the Community Park as shown in the draft Plan.  The CBBCA feels that additional land is required for the community park to provide for the future recreation needs of the community.  The Natural Environment Area designation/ANSI limits the ability of the community park to be expanded in the future.  The CBBCA has requested that the Community Plan be revised to provide for a process to review the lands by incorporating a clause to list the property of interest around the CBBCA community center as "Future Community Park" with the necessary wording to indicate that the community of Constance Bay has requested re-designation of said lands to Community Park.

Response

The City owns all of the land surrounding the community centre and park and this land has been identified as an ANSI by the province.  The Constance Bay Sand Hills ANSI is designated as Natural Environment Area in the Ottawa Official Plan.  The Plan has been revised to provide a process for the review of the Community Park/Natural Environment Area boundary.  The Plan now states that the precise boundary of the Community Park will be defined in the zoning by-law based on a review of the Natural Environment Area/ANSI boundary.  The City will undertake an evaluation of the site in consultation with the MNR to determine the precise boundary of the ANSI and the Community Park, which will be shown in the new zoning by-law.

 

The CBBCA has also raised concerns regarding the use of these lands.  While there are several issues the most pressing is the poison ivy that dominates the ANSI and encroaches on three of our sports fields.  The community expects the CBBCA to lead the resolution of these problems.  A designation of Torbolton Forest moves these lands under the stewardship of the city's Forestry boards and departments.  The CBBCA believes this a potentially insurmountable and completely unnecessary obstacle.

Response

The Torbolton Forest is managed by the City' Public Works and Services Division (Parks and Forestry Division).  Poison ivy is a health and safety issue and the Department has indicated that if poison ivy is a problem in public areas the City will take immediate action to remove it.  Management of the lands adjacent to the community centre will be undertaken in consultation with the CBBCA.

 

Torbolton Forest Advisory Committee

The Torbolton Forest Advisory Committee applauds the recognition in the Plan of the importance to preserve the Torbolton Forest and provided the following comments:

Response

The Community Plan has been revised to address the comments:

 

Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee

OFGAC recommends that the draft plan be modified to:

·        Address not only the retention of trees in new development but also the retention of trees during redevelopment through the requirement of a tree protection plan to be included in the building permit requirements for additions and replacement buildings. 

·        Recommend that development and redevelopment not be approved if the site plan indicates that the retention of most existing mature trees is not possible.

·        The tree preservation plan require retention of natural plantings along and near the shorelines, to help reduce erosion in floodway areas, to retain the natural atmosphere of the beach areas, and to provide shade in and near beach areas.  This can be addressed through restricting building footprints along waterfront properties and enforcing regulated setbacks on not only roadsides, but watersides.

Response

New residential subdivisions will be required to provide a tree preservation and planting plan.  The older parts of the village, particularly along the water, have been developed with single-family dwellings and there is little opportunity for redevelopment by plan of subdivision or site plan.  Building permits are tied to the building code and cannot require tree protection.  Tree cutting by-laws provide the tools to control the cutting of trees; however, this issue is of concern of all communities and should be addressed in a comprehensive manner, not specifically in Constance Bay.   

 

OFGAC recommends that Section 2.3.2 be modified to:

Response

There are a number of factors that will influence the lot size in the New Residential Development Area.

·        The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will identify important natural features on the site.  The EMP will provide guidance on measures to protect significant features on the site. 

·        The groundwater study indicated that hydrological studies to support new development within the Village will take into account the observed build-up of nitrates in the overburden sand aquifer and will provide measures to minimize additional nitrate loading 

These factors will determine the appropriate lots sizes when the detailed review is done at the subdivision stage. 

 

OFGAC recommends extending the planting of street trees to the full length of Constance Bay Road.

Response

Tree planting will be required for new development, within the village boundary through the development process (at the developer’s expense).  There are no tools available to require tree planting along Constance Bay Road outside the village.

 

OFGAC recommends that Schedule A be corrected to show both the Natural Environment Area and the Torbolton Forest.

Response

Schedule A has been revised to show the part of the Natural Environment Area that is owned by the City.  The land owned by the City is known as the Torbolton Forest.  The Torbolton Forest is now shown on Schedule A for information. 

 

OFGAC recommends that protection of rare plants be considered in public areas where poison ivy control is being considered.

Response

The Forest Management Plan will implement the recommendations of the Rare Plant Inventory and Management Recommendations for the Torbolton Forest report in order to protect and enhance the special ANSI features. 

 

OFGAC recommends that the draft plan include recommendations to support, through budget and other resources, the continued study and development of a long term sustainable management plan which includes implementation of the recommendations found in the Rare Plant Inventory Report and monitoring the results of management activities.

OFGAC recommends the Plan be modified to recognize the specialized priorities which have been previously identified for the management of the Forest in the Rare Plant Inventory.  The updating of the operating and capital plans should include consideration of protecting and enhancing the special Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) features as well as addressing the continuing efforts to improve the Forest’s health and increase diversity of tree species.  Cultural use should be considered within the context of sustainability of the natural features.

Response

A policy has been added to state that the Forest Management Plan will implement the recommendations of the Rare Plant Inventory and Management Recommendations for the Torbolton Forest report in order to protect and enhance the special ANSI features and address the continuing efforts to improve the Forest’s health and increase diversity of tree species.

 

OFGAC recommends that the draft plan include the recommendation that rare plant communities on the beach be located and protected, and that major migratory stopping sites along the shoreline continue to be accessible to the public for passive activities such as bird watching.

Response

The beach area is not in City ownership.  The Plan contains policies that the road allowances that provide access to the river be maintained to provide access to the water.

 

Mississippi Valley Conservation (MVC)

MVC commented that their staff has been involved in reviewing and providing input on the draft document and their comments and recommendations have consistently been addressed throughout the process.  One item, however, requires clarification regarding the flood plain.  The two-zone concept for flood plain management as described in Section 3.6 applies only to already developed residential lands along the Ottawa River and Buckham’s Bay and provides for development on lots of record only.  The Plan should be revised to indicate that in the New Residential Development Area, the entire flood plain should be treated as one zone where new development is prohibited within the entire flood plain.

Response

Schedule A has been revised to indicate that the flood plain within the area designated “New Residential Development Area” is within the Floodway.  No new development is permitted within the Floodway.

 

MVC also commented that they would like to see stronger wording in the Community Plan to flag the very likely need for lots larger than the 0.4 ha currently required by the former West Carleton Official Plan to address the concerns raised in the groundwater study regarding nitrates.

Response

The Plan states that the minimum lot size for new development will be determined in accordance with the recommendations of the Groundwater Study.  The site specific assessments will be required to follow Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Guideline D-5-4  "Individual On-site Sewage Systems: Water Quality Risk Assessment" and MOE Guideline D-5-5 "Technical Guideline for Private Wells: Water Supply Assessment".  Larger lot sizes will be required where results of a hydrogeology and terrain analysis to support the development indicate that larger lot sizes are required.

Owners of the New Residential Development Area Lands

The owners of the lands within the New Residential Development Area have indicated that the road alignment for the connection between Allbirch Street and Kilmaurs Side Road as shown in the draft Community Plan is not feasible due to physical constraints (gulleys) and potential conflicts with a residence on Kilmaurs Side Road. 

Response

A site visit with landowners has confirmed that the alignment that was proposed in the draft is not practical.  The expansion of the Village boundary as shown on Schedule A of the Official Plan is being proposed in order to provide a better road connection from Allbirch Street to the Kilmaurs Side Road.  The expansion of the village boundary to the west provides sufficient space to avoid the physical constraints and enables the road to be located so it will have less impact on the nearby residence.

 

Comments from Individuals

Eight individuals provided comments on the draft Community Plan.  Some of the responses received provided detailed comments suggesting revised working to clarify the policies in the plan.  These comments were incorporated into the Plan.  The following comments were received regarding specific policies:

 

Management of the beach

·        The most important issue in the Plan is the beach, support the strategy to develop a guideline on use of the beach by all – there is still the outstanding legal question of the actual ownership of the beach, which should be settled as soon as possible.

·        The plan does not address problems on the beach – dogs being off leash, ATVs and motorcycles on the beach, occasional drinking parties – any significant change in use of the beach will result in legal challenges – hence the process should be extremely open

Response

The Plan has been revised to better define the role of the Beach Steering Committee and ensure that everyone in the community has an opportunity to participate in the development of the beach protocol.  The role of the committee will be to oversee a process to provide an opportunity for everyone in the community to participate and provide input.  City staff will participate and act as a resource to explain the tools (from by-law, police, planning, fire, parks and recreation services) that are available to address the problems that have been identified. 

 

Management of the Road Allowances to the Water

·        There is the ongoing operation and maintenance costs associated with upgrading the major beaches in the area (toilets, garbage, parking etc.) – the City must guarantee proper maintenance of these facilities;

·        Consider selling off some of the unopened road allowances if they are not needed from a beach access point of view  - the revenue gained could finance other initiatives.

Response

·        Any new facilities that the City provides at the road allowances will include a provision for their maintenance;

·        During the consultation process, the community provided clear direction (71% of respondents who participated in the survey) that all of the road allowance to the water should remain in public ownership.  The road allowances are seen as a heritage resource by the community that should not be sold.  The policies in the Community Plan state that all of the road allowances should continue to remain in public ownership.


 

Lighting

·        The community vote, which did not favour improved lighting in the community, should be revisited

Response


            VILLAGE OF CONSTANCE BAY – COMMUNITY PLAN

VILLAGE DE CONSTANCE BAY – PLAN COMMUNAUTAIRE

ACS2006-PGM-POL-0029

 

Having heard the staff presentation on this item at its previous meeting, the Committee went directly to the public delegations.

 

Mr. D. Lazier, a resident, stated that pursuant to his presentation to Committee on April 27, staff had proposed changes to Section 9 of the Community Plan and, having seen these proposed amendments, he was satisfied that his concerns had been addressed. 

 

Ms. K. Black, a resident, addressed the issue of redrawing the boundary for the Village of Constance Bay.  She expressed concerns with respect to ground water and the fact that the environmental management study had not been completed.  She wondered about the impact to areas that would become part of the village boundary and whether these impacts had been adequately studied.  Mr. Mahon distinguished, on the map of the Village plan, the area identified for new residential development versus the area of the village boundary expansion.  With respect to village boundary expansion, stated that it was necessary in order to allow for the secondary access road into Constance Bay.  He indicated that the preliminary results of the environmental management plan had been presented at a community meeting in February.  He explained that constraints mapping had been done and that no constraints had been identified.  With respect to the area identified for new residential development, he maintained that the environmental management plan would provide guidance with respect to any future plans of subdivision insofar as stormwater management and identifying areas and/or features to be protected. 

 

Responding to questions from Councillor Brooks, Mr. Mahon confirmed that the recommendation was to expand the village boundary.  He explained that this proposal met the requirements of the City’s Official Plan and of the Provincial Policy Statement.  The area into which the village is being expanded is currently zoned as general rural therefore there are no implications in terms of loss of resources.  Furthermore, the proposed village expansion will help replace some of the residential growth potential that was lost in 2004 because of the ANSI designation.

 

Councillor Brooks stated that he was not opposed to expansion.  He referenced a community design plan for North Gower, which was in its final stages because he believed one of the problem with that CDP would be the expansion of the boundary.  He noted that the Official Plan required that, in order to expand the village boundary, there had to be a demonstrated need for additional housing.  Mr. Mahon explained that in the case of the Constance Bay CDP and village boundary expansion, there were two issues:  the need to provide for a second access road and the fact that some residential potential had been lost as a result of the ANSI designation. 

 

Responding to questions from Councillor El-Chantiry, Mr. Mahon indicated there would not be a requirement to conduct a full Environmental Assessment (EA) prior to developing the area.  He explained that the environmental management plan would set the broad framework for the preparation of the plan of subdivision and that the road would be created through the subdivision process.  However, he noted that the plan of subdivision would require approval through a public process, therefore residents and members of Council would get to review the plan and have input into it.  He also confirmed that the process would include requirements with respect to such details as lot sizes, water testing and a hydrogeology study. 

 

Councillor El-Chantiry stressed the need to move forward with the CDP and he assured Ms. Black that any new development in the area would have come back to Committee and would have to follow a public process. 

 

Ms. Black wondered if a plan of subdivision would be going in imminently and whether residents in the immediate vicinity of the boundary expansion had been notified.  Mr. Mahon indicated he was aware of some interest in developing the area.  However, he advised that no applications had been submitted.  He believed potential developers were waiting for the results of the environmental management plan before proceeding with any applications.  He assured Committee that any plan of subdivision would be advertised and that a notice would be posted on the site to advise residents of the proposal. 

 

Mr. C. Thomson referenced his presentation before Committee at its last meeting, where he spoke on behalf of his father and sister and he re-iterated his requested that Committee direct staff to recognize the mobility limitations of seniors and persons with disabilities, so as to respond appropriately in developing a parking strategy discussed in Section 8.1 of the Village Plan.  He noted that his father had submitted this same requested in writing, in an e-mail to Councillor El-Chantiry dated May 10, 2006.  Mr. Thomson read his father’s e-mail (held on file) into the record.  Councillor El-Chantiry indicated he would be pleased to move that direction to staff. 

 

Mr. D. Maloney, a resident, indicated he lived on Kilmaurs Side Road and that he had only been made aware of the proposed village boundary expansion a few days prior to the meeting.  He expressed concerns with respect to increase traffic on his road and he asked whether any traffic studies had been conducted.  He also expressed concerns with respect to the lack of requirement for a full EA and he questioned the need for additional housing, as required by the Official Plan.  Mr. Maloney then engaged Councillor Brooks in a discussion with respect to the North Gower CDP and village boundary expansion.  He inquired as to the studies been relative to that project; whether EA studies and traffic impact studies had been done in advance of expanding the village boundary.  Councillor Brooks indicated that a number of studies had been completed but that there had not been an up-to-date EA done.  He explained that an EA was conducted 6 years ago, the last time the village boundary was expanded.  However, he noted that the environment around North Gower was different from the environment around Constance Bay; that North Gower was high and dry. 

 

With respect to the need for a full EA, Mr. Mahon explained that the consultants doing the environmental management plan had done some constraint mapping in order to determine if there were any constraints in the area for future development.  He indicated the area contained old pasture fields and that it was high and dry.  The only wetland in the vicinity was fairly far away.  In terms of the potential for residential development within the existing village, he advised that the opportunities were limited because of the lot size requirements.  He noted that the former West Carleton plan required 1 acre lots because of servicing concerns.  Mr. Mahon noted that traffic concerns had also been raised at the previous meeting and that, in order to address them, staff were proposing an amendment to Section 4.1 of the CDP, which would require that a traffic impact study be done to support the subdivision applications for the new residential development area. 

 

Mr. R. Wall, a resident, indicated he was one of the land owners affected by the proposed boundary expansion.  He referenced the history with respect to the efforts, over many years, to build a second access road into Constance Bay.  He stressed the importance of building a second access road because, should there ever be a fire in Constance Bay, residents would to be able to get out.  He believed the boundary expansion was necessary in order to allow for the new road.  Furthermore, he believed Constance Bay would grow and that it was just a matter of time before the land was developed.  Mr. Wall talked about the importance of residents getting involved in their community and with their community association.  He noted that the CDP process had been well advertised and that he had gotten involved last summer by participating in the various meetings.  He expressed support for the village boundary expansion, noting that any housing development would have to go through the proper processes; conducting various studies and engaging the public in consultation.  Mr. Wall also submitted a comment sheet, which is held on file with the City Clerk.

 

Mr. L. Jaros, a resident, indicated he had learned of the project a few months prior.  He advised that since becoming aware of the project, he had found staff to be very helpful and cooperative.  However he submitted that residents in the expansion area had not been involved in the CDP process.  Mr. Jaros maintained that he had specifically chosen to live outside the Village of Constance Bay because he wanted a quiet lifestyle.  He referenced a questionnaire sent out to 2,000 residents in Constance Bay.  He noted that approximately 400 people responded to the questionnaire and that, of those who replied, 199 expressed support for a secondary access road.  Based on this data, he argued that his lifestyle would be impacted because of less than 10% of the residents of Constance Bay.

 

Dr. B. Firestone, an urban designer, suggested there were 2 ways of approaching planning matters; they could be confrontational or they could be affirming.  He felt Community Design Plans were affirming processes because they allowed residents to get involved in shaping their communities.  He submitted that CDPs lead to better development; better use of existing investment, higher property values, and fewer Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearings.  In closing, Dr. Firestone expressed support for the Constance Bay CDP. 

 

Councillor El-Chantiry offered some closing comments on this issue.  He thanked those who had participated and provided input, he noted that staff had addressed concerns raised by residents, and he maintained that the majority of residents were pleased with what was being proposed. 

 

Moved by Councillor E. El-Chantiry

 

That staff be directed to recognize the mobility limitations of seniors and persons with disabilities so as to respond appropriately in developing a parking strategy, discussed in Section 8.1 of the Village Plan.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

Moved by Councillor E. El-Chantiry

 

WHEREAS the Community Plan policies for the area designated New Residential Development Area requires a new road to be constructed to provide a road connection between Allbirch Street and Kilmaurs Side Road;

 

AND WHEREAS increased traffic from the new road to Kilmaurs Side Road will exit on Dunrobin Road;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Section 4.1 of the Community Plan be amended to assess the impact of the new road on the Kilmaurs Side Road – Dunrobin Road Intersection by adding the following as new policy 3:

 

“The requirements for the new road connecting to Kilmaurs Side Road described in policy 2 above the intersection at Dunrobin Road will be investigated through a traffic impact study that will be required to support the subdivision applications for the New Residential Development Area.”

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

Moved by Councillor E. El-Chantiry

 

WHEREAS the strategies in Section 9 of the Community Plan call for the creation of a Community Committee to oversee a process to create a beach protocol for Constance Bay;

 

AND WHEREAS the City will help to coordinate and establish a community committee (Beach Steering Committee), to work with the community and waterfront owners to establish a protocol for the use and maintenance of the beach;

 

AND WHEREAS it must be clear that the members of the Beach Steering Committee will not include representatives of the City or Government agencies;

 

AND WHEREAS any community meetings should be scheduled in July and August to ensure that everyone in the community (both seasonal and permanent residents) has the opportunity to participate;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the strategies in Section 9 be deleted and replaced with the following:

 

The City will help to co-ordinate and establish a community committee, (Beach Steering Committee) to work with the community (that includes both waterfront owners and non waterfront owners) to establish a protocol for the use and maintenance of the beach.  The role of the committee will be to oversee a process to help the community to develop a beach protocol for Constance Bay.  The protocol will address existing management problems as well as use and maintenance of the beach area.  The process to develop the protocol should provide an opportunity for everyone in the community to participate and provide input.  Staff from the City, the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) will support the process by providing information as to the tools that are available to address problems identified by the community.  The participants required to help the community develop the protocol include:

 

·        The Community – waterfront owners and community members who do not own waterfront property

·        The City – representatives from By-law, Recreation, Fire, Police, Planning and Growth Management

·        Government agencies – Ministry of Natural Resources, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority

 

The proposed protocol will be presented and discussed at a community meeting that is advertised in the community.  The community meeting must take place during the months of July or August.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

The Committee then voted on the amended recommendations.

 

That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council:

 

1.         Adopt Official Plan Amendment xx, as attached in Document 1, to repeal the Village Plan for Constance Bay that is in Volume 2C of the Official Plan and make a change to the village boundary on Schedule A of the Official Plan.

 

2.         Approve the Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay as attached in Document 2 (issued separately) and as amended by the following:

 

            a)         WHEREAS the Community Plan policies for the area designated New Residential Development Area requires a new road to be constructed to provide a road connection between Allbirch Street and Kilmaurs Side Road;

 

AND WHEREAS increased traffic from the new road to Kilmaurs Side Road will exit on Dunrobin Road;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Section 4.1 of the Community Plan be amended to assess the impact of the new road on the Kilmaurs Side Road – Dunrobin Road Intersection by adding the following as new policy 3:

 

“The requirements for the new road connecting to Kilmaurs Side Road described in policy 2 above the intersection at Dunrobin Road will be investigated through a traffic impact study that will be required to support the subdivision applications for the New Residential Development Area.” ; and

 

            b)         WHEREAS the strategies in Section 9 of the Community Plan call for the creation of a Community Committee to oversee a process to create a beach protocol for Constance Bay;

 

AND WHEREAS the City will help to coordinate and establish a community committee (Beach Steering Committee), to work with the community and waterfront owners to establish a protocol for the use and maintenance of the beach;

 

AND WHEREAS it must be clear that the members of the Beach Steering Committee will not include representatives of the City or Government agencies;

 

AND WHEREAS any community meetings should be scheduled in July and August to ensure that everyone in the community (both seasonal and permanent residents) has the opportunity to participate;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the strategies in Section 9 be deleted and replaced with the following:

 

The City will help to co-ordinate and establish a community committee, (Beach Steering Committee) to work with the community (that includes both waterfront owners and non waterfront owners) to establish a protocol for the use and maintenance of the beach.  The role of the committee will be to oversee a process to help the community to develop a beach protocol for Constance Bay.  The protocol will address existing management problems as well as use and maintenance of the beach area.  The process to develop the protocol should provide an opportunity for everyone in the community to participate and provide input.  Staff from the City, the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) will support the process by providing information as to the tools that are available to address problems identified by the community.  The participants required to help the community develop the protocol include:

 

·        The Community – waterfront owners and community members who do not own waterfront property

·        The City – representatives from By-law, Recreation, Fire, Police, Planning and Growth Management

·        Government agencies – Ministry of Natural Resources, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority

 

The proposed protocol will be presented and discussed at a community meeting that is advertised in the community.  The community meeting must take place during the months of July or August.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED as amended