Constance Bay

Introduction

The Village Plan Project will review the Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay (2006), which guides development for the Village of Constance Bay. A Village Plan analysis and Village Profile has been completed to evaluate the existing policy and development situation.

Village Plan Analysis

For the most part the actions proposed in the Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay were implemented.

What was achieved:

  • An Environmental Management Plan was approved by Council in 2006 to provide direction regarding servicing, stormwater management, fish habitat, stream setbacks and riparian plantings
  • The City acquired the wharf /boat launch facility from the federal government and the wharf/boat launch has been rebuilt. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Small Craft Harbour Division has not divested the dock in Constance Bay to the City of Ottawa. There are native land claims that must be settled at the Federal level before the dock can be transferred
  • The community notice board advertising events in the community has been installed
  • The village of Constance Bay is serviced via individual well and septic system. In August 2005 the City of Ottawa undertook a ground water study in the Village of Constance Bay. The results of the ground water study showed that 19 per cent of the samples analyzed had nitrate in the water at concentrations above the acceptable standard of 10 milligrams per litre (mg/L), as defined in the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards. Water containing nitrate at concentrations above 10 mg/L may pose a risk to the health of infants under the age of 6 months who consume it. A letter was sent to all residents in the village informing them of the results of the ground water study.

Section 10 of the Community Plan contains a table which summarizes the actions and assigns responsibilities for implementation of the Community Plan. This table has been updated to indicate whether/when the actions were implemented.

Action

Responsibility

Implementation

Land Use

Approve an Official Plan Amendment

  • to repeal the former West Carleton Official Plan and replace it with the Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay
  • expand the village boundary to provide for a road connection between Allbirch Street and Kilmaurs Side Road

Council

OPA 42 and the CDP were approved by Council on May 24, 2006. Amendment 42 expanded the village boundary to provide the opportunity to provide the road connection through the development process.

Prepare an Environmental Management Plan

  • for the New Residential Development Area as shown on Schedule A

Planning and Growth Management Department

Environmental Management Plan was approved by Council in 2006.

Implement Section 3

  • the land use plan in the new City of Ottawa zoning by-law

Planning and Growth Management Department

The CDP was implemented in the new Comprehensive Zoning By-law adopted by Council on May 25, 2008.

Undertake a review of the Natural Environment Area/ANSI boundary 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

Planning and Growth Management Department

The City hired an environmental consultant to review and confirm the ANSI boundary as required by the Community Design

Plan.

The conclusions from this work were brought forward into the new comprehensive zoning Bylaw that was adopted by Council on May 25, 2008.

Emergency Measures

Develop an Emergency Measures Plan

  • to address emergency preparedness and the risk of forest fire in the community

Community and Protective Services Dept. (Fire Services) in cooperation with Parks and Public Works and Services Dept. (Parks and Forestry Division)

A draft plan has been circulated to the community for comment.

Signs

Erect a community notice board that would advertise events in the community

Constance & Buckham’s Bay Community Association with support of Parks and Recreation Branch

Completed 2006.

Improve maintenance of the entrance sign to the village

Constance & Buckham’s Bay Community Association

Extensive landscaping has been completed to improve the entrance to Constance Bay and is ongoing. A second entrance sign, as you enter the Bay, was installed by the Community in 2009.

Transportation

When undertaking any roadwork or resurfacing of Bayview Drive and Constance Bay Road, the shoulder of the road will be paved to provide for pedestrians and cyclists.

Transportation, Utilities and Public Works Department (TUPW)

This will be undertaken when major roadwork in Constance Bay is done-future.

Recreation Programs

Develop more youth programs

Park and Recreation Branch

Parks and Recreation “Youth Connexion” program has been active in developing new programming and events for youth.

Initiate a program to control poison ivy in public places

Public Works and Services Dept. (Parks and Forestry Division)

2006 onwards

Torbolton Forest

Update the 5 year operating plan for the Torbolton Forest

Public Works and Services Dept. (Parks and Forestry Division)

The current plan expires in 2012 at which time another long term plan (likely 20 years) along with short term (5 year) operating plans and possibly annual operations plans that include site specific prescriptions will be required.

Support the annual cleanup program

Public Works and Services Dept. (Parks and Forestry Division)

Ongoing through the Spring and Fall Cleaning the Capital program.

Security

Provide information sessions on crime prevention in the community

Police Services

CPC Officer has attended a number of Community Association meetings.

Initiate a Community Watch program

Police Services

Neighbourhood Watch is in place with support from the Police.

Water Quality

Undertake an annual water sampling program to determine nutrient levels and to identify problem areas

Public Works & Services (Water Environment Protection Unit)

Water Quality was sampled in 2005 – Conclusions:

  • E.coli results are well within recreational water quality objectives of 100EC/100mL.
  • No excessive weed growth associated with nutrients – phosphorous results low.
  • From a water quality perspective, this area is quite healthy.
  • No need for further sampling.

Develop a protocol for beach and weed management

Beach Steering Committee

Participation by:

By-law Services, Parks and Recreation Branch, Fire Services, Police, Planning and Growth Management, and community representatives

Residents’ Beach Committee was established in 2006. Beach Protocol was developed by the Committee in 2007 and presented to the Councillor.

Implement best management practices along the shoreline

Property owners

Ongoing with community groups.

Water Access

Initiate a program to identify encroachments on the road allowances and notify adjacent owners who may be inadvertently or intentionally encroaching on City property

Community and Protective Services Department

Limited Pilot Program initiated in 2009 and is ongoing. 13 of 39 accesses have been surveyed to date and identified. Some encroachment concerns resolved, 6-10 more accesses on 2011 work plan.

Provide and maintain the following community facilities:

  • The Point: parking, toilets, garbage can and pick up, improved safety measures (identify dangerous areas for swimming)
  • Auger’s Beach: parking, toilets, garbage cans and pick up
  • Ritchie Street Boat Launch: parking, toilets, garbage cans and pick up
  • Wicken’s Beach: garbage cans and pick up

Community and Protective Services Dept. (Parks and Recreation Branch)

Transportation, Utilities and Public Works Department (TUPW)

ongoing

Develop a parking strategy for Constance Bay to address the problems being experienced at the popular water access points

Community and Protective Services Dept. (Parks and Recreation Branch)

Parking analysis completed by City staff in 2009 and presented to the community for comment.

The Beach

Co-ordinate and establish a community committee to work with the community and waterfront owners to establish a protocol for use and maintenance of the beach

Community and Protective Services Dept. (Parks and Recreation Branch)

Residents’ Beach Committee was established in 2006. Beach Protocol was developed by the Committee in 2007.

Link to the Existing Plan

Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay

Village Profile

The population of Constance Bay is 2,415. The village has grown by nine units per year since the Community Plan for Constance Bay was approved by Council in May 2006.

Population and Dwelling Units (2009)

Population 2415

Dwelling Units 895

* Source: Planning and Growth Management Department

Employment (2006)

Major Sector

Total Employment

Construction

23

Manufacturing

6

Wholesale

1

Retail

11

Information and Cultural

1

Management of Enterprises

2

Business, Building Support Services

2

Professional and Scientific Services

11

Health and Social Services

3

Accommodation and Food

18

Other Services

7

Total

85

* Source: Employment Survey 2006

New Units Built

2001 - 2005

2006 - 2009

2001 - 2009

Single

Row

Apt

Total

Single

Row

Apt

Total

  

69

0

0

69

31

0

0

31

100

* Source: Building Permits

Development Potential (2008)

Vacant land = 97 ha

Potential for 201 dwelling units

*Source: Rural Residential Land Survey 2007-2008 Update

Servicing

In 2006 the Medical Officer of Health sent a letter notifying residents in Constance Bay that nitrates are a concern for infants. Nitrates continue to be a concern in the Village of Constance Bay and affect the drinking water.

Land Use (2010)

Map

*Source: Land Use Survey 2010

The information on Official Plan Rural Review project maps forms only a part of an overall 2010 City of Ottawa land use map. Updated information for both rural and urban areas will be released in the summer of 2011.

Community Characterization

Facilities

Events

Torbolton Forest

Constance Bay Rural Root Theatre

Contance Bay beaches

Constance Bay Santa Claus Parade

Constance and Buckham's Bay Community Centre

  

Royal Canadian Legion

  

Ottawa Public Library (Constance Bay Branch)

  

Fire Station

 

St. Gabriel's Church

  

Conclusion

Continue to implement the initiatives identified in the Constance Bay Village Plan.

Next Steps

Staff anticipate going back to the public in the fall of 2011 with the results of the Spring Public Consultation sessions and to present the next steps in the Constance Bay Community Plan review process.

Following the fall public consultation, staff anticipate taking a report to Committee and Council in late 2011 to report public consultation concerns and make recommendations for the next steps in the Constance Bay Community Plan review process.

Need More Information?

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How did the Village Review planning initiative get started?
  • Where are the City’s Village Plans found?
  • What is the Village Review planning initiative?
  • What Villages are part of the Villages Review?
  • What processes have already occurred as part of the Village Review?
  • How is the project connected to the Drive Through project?
  • How can the community get involved in the Village Review?
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