Fitzroy Harbour

Introduction

The Village Plan Review project will evaluate and update the existing Official Plan policies, which guide development for all villages including the Village of Fitzroy Harbour. A Village Plan analysis and Village Profile has been completed for Fitzroy Harbour to evaluate the existing policy and development situation of the village.

Village Plan Analysis

The Village Secondary Plan policies for Fitzroy Harbour were extracted from the former Township of West Carleton Official Plan that existed prior to amalgamation. These policies were approved in the 1990s and need to be updated It is recommended that the policies which apply to Fitzroy Harbour be consolidated with the other six sets of village Township policies to create a consistent set of City of Ottawa policies which would apply equally to all villages without an independent plan. This recommended approach will eliminate the need for six separate Township policies and create a policy structure which is similar to what currently exists in Volume 1 of the Official Plan. This approach will alleviate overlap between the existing Township policy documents and create a consistent and easy to read set of Secondary Plan policies to guide future growth in the villages.

The general village plan/policies taken the former Township of West Carleton Official Plan should be updated/replaced with one consistent set of Secondary Plan policy which is to apply equally to all villages without an independent plan. The following site specific policies for Fitzroy Harbour that were taken from the former Township of West Carleton Plan should be deleted as there is existing direction provided elsewhere in the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan.

6(8)(j)(ii) Special consideration shall be given to those lands along the Carp River. This consideration shall include the stability of banks and the potential of flooding. All applications for new development along the river shall be supported by information proving that building sites are stable and not subject to flooding or erosion.

The above policy is unnecessary as development issues related to unstable soils and flood risk are already addressed in Section 4.8.1 and 4.8.3 of the Official Plan.

6(8)(j) (iii) As residential development proceeds, it is anticipated that additional commercial development will be required to serve the day-to-day needs of the new residents. In accordance with Section 6(8)(b)(ii) of this Plan, these uses, insofar as they are compatible with residential uses, may locate throughout the Residential area. The location of these Commercial uses shall, however, be promoted to cluster in areas with easy, safe vehicular access. Specific location and site considerations shall be subject to zoning and site plan control.

The above policy is unnecessary as commercial development in villages is intended to be addressed in updated/revised policies for villages in the proposed consolidated Secondary Plan policies.

6(8)(j) (iv) In the area indicated on Schedule "E" as having poor septic tank suitability, all applications for new development shall be supported by information on the suitability of the site for septic tank installation or enlargement.

The above policy is unnecessary as Section 4.4 of the Official Plan, Water and Wastewater Servicing, addresses servicing issues.

Residential development may proceed to include all lands designated on Schedule "E" in Lot 22. Development shall be phased. For those areas delineated on Schedule "E" as Special Policy Area, development shall not proceed until either the areas already designated residential are substantially developed or it is apparent that development will not proceed on other designated lands. Development of these lands may also proceed as a result of increased housing requirements due to increased local employment. Development for lands subject to this policy shall not require an amendment to this Official Plan.

There are two Special Policy Areas identified on the existing Land Use Schedule: an area which is vacant but which is part of a larger registered subdivision, and another area which is also vacant but is under one large ownership (there is also a large park development on this property). This policy is no longer needed as one parcel is under a registered subdivision and the other is under one ownership and a new development proceeding on these lands would be required to be phased. The Special Policy Area’s are recommended to be deleted from the Land Use Schedule.

Link to the Existing Plan

Former Township of West Carleton Official Plan

Village Profile

Fitzroy Harbour has a population of 637 people with a potential to grow. There is a large amount land within the village boundary that is undeveloped. The 46.22 ha of vacant residential land has a potential to accommodate another 178 dwelling units in the village. However growth in the village has been very slow, only 30 new dwelling units have been built in Fitzroy Harbour since 2001. Also the elementary school in the village has recently closed which is a concern to the community.

Population and Dwelling Units (2010)

Population 637

Dwelling Units 226

* Source: Planning and Growth Management Department

Employment (2006)

Major Sector

Total Employment

Construction

3

Manufacturing

1

Retail

13

Information and Cultural

2

Retail and Rental Leasing

7

Education

16

Other Services

14

Total

56

* Source: Employment Survey 2006

New Units Built

2001 - 2005

2006 - 2010

2001 - 2010

Single

Row

Apt

Total

Single

Row

Apt

Total

  

20

0

0

20

10

0

0

10

30

* Source: Building Permits

Development Potential (2010)

Vacant land = 46.22 ha

Potential for 178 dwelling units

*Source: Rural Residential Land Survey 2007-2008 Updated with 2009/2010 building permit data and average lot size

Servicing

The village of Fitzroy Harbour is serviced via individual wells and septic systems. The City’s Infrastructure Policy Unit has completed a Village Ground Water Characterization study which assesses the groundwater in the village. There are no pressing concerns identified in this study.

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

Fitzroy Harbour Community Centre

Fitzroy Harbour Winter Carnival

Fitzroy Provincial Park

“Harbour Days” Summer Festival

Penny's Fudge Factory

  

Ottawa Public Library (Fitzroy Harbour Branch)

  

Fire station

  

Fitzroy Harbour Public School (closed)

  

St. Andrew's United Church

  

St. Michaels Roman Catholic Church

  

St. Michael Catholic School

  

Post Office (at The Harbour Store)

  

Fitzroy Harbour Boat Launch

  

St George’s Anglican Church

  

Baird Park

  

River Park

  

Proposed Changes

Consolidate the existing six sets of Township Official Plan policy – which applies to 20 villages – into one consistent set of City of Ottawa, Secondary Plan policy to apply equally to all villages without an independent plan.

The spring 2011 public consultation session will help to inform the new consolidated Secondary Plan for villages. This session will:

  • Develop a vision statement for the village
  • Identify any specific needs for the village that need to be addressed in specific policy
  • Comment on an updated Land Use Schedule for the village

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 recommended Official Plan amendment to adopt new consolidated and improved village Secondary Plan policies and schedules.

Following the fall public consultation, Staff anticipate taking a report to Committee and Council in late 2011 to report public consultation concerns and present recommend updates to the Official Plan – Volume 2C (Village Plans).

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 Thru project?
  • How can the community get involved in the Village Review?
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