I was surprised that on page 14, number 4 (incorrectly numbered 3) there was emphasis on "large building setbacks from the street to allow a buffer of vegetation between the road and the dwellings" but no reference to a similar building setback from the

Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee

Comments on

A Community Plan for the Village of Constance Bay

November 25, 2005

Introduction

Under Part A: The Land Use Plan states in 1.2 The Community’s Vision for Constance Bay that “participants indicated that they want a plan where Constance Bay will be recognized as a …Riverfront community built around wonderful natural resources – the Ottawa River and the Torbolton Forest.”

To further enforce the importance of the natural aspects of the community, 1.3 Plan Objectives states that “The objectives for the Plan for Constance Bay were developed with the community at the Visioning Workshop. They are to: …Preserve the Torbolton Forest and update its management plan.”

And under 2.1 Village Character, the plan states “Constance Bay is a unique community. Its defining elements are the views of the river and the streetscape that is dominated by large oak trees…The large trees and thick shrubbery screen the houses from view.”…”One of the objectives of this plan is to ensure that new development proceeds in a manner that is compatible with the existing village character.

This sets the stage on the community’s priorities for protection of individual trees, the Torbolton Forest, and other natural features in Constance Bay.

Comments

Part A – The Land Use Plan

3.3. Residential Areas

3.3.1 General

Many of the trees found on private lands are mature Red Oaks (Quercus rubra) from a past era. These trees were spared during initial development in the community, which consisted of small, seasonal cottages. These cottages have been replaced over the years by larger permanent homes, and many of the ‘second generation’ of homes are currently be replaced or added on to, especially along the shores of the Ottawa River. The casualties of this new wave of large homes are the established trees – Constance Bay may have “a streetscape that is dominated by large oak trees” at present, but that is rapidly changing, and will continue to do so unless this issue is specifically addressed.

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.

OFGAC recommends that the draft plan recommend that development and redevelopment not be approved if the site plan indicates that the retention of most existing mature trees is not possible.

OFGAC recommends that 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.

3.3.2 New Residential Development Area

Lots in the identified “new residential development area” must be large enough to allow the placement of the required footprint and to ensure that trees are retained on each lot. Therefore, the zoning by-law recommendation in the draft plan should be more specific in its requirements for including landscaping needs in the consideration for lot sizes. This is stated in Section 3.3.1 Recommendation 2, but not carried through in recommendations found in Section 3.3.2 Recommendation 3, which states that “minimum lot size will be determined by the results of the Groundwater Study”.

OFGAC recommends that the draft plan Recommendation 2. in Section 3.3.2 include provisions in the determination of the size of lots on new development lands that address not only the requirements for sustainable private servicing (i.e. water and septic) to be determined by the Groundwater Study, but also for the retention of individual and groups of trees on each of the lots where these features naturally occur, or for planting of new native tree species where they do not presently occur.

The Official Plan determines that minimum lot size should be 0.8 ha in rural areas with private services and OFGAC recommends that this be minimum size to be considered. In keeping with the wishes of the community to retain the natural features of the community, it may be necessary to increase the lot size to accommodate natural features.

The draft plan recommends planting trees along the part Constance Bay Road that is within the village. This part is currently almost completely lined by trees. The draft should extend the recommendation beyond the village boundary, to include tree planting along the full extent of Constance Bay Road. This will increase the safety of the road in the winter, when winter winds create dangerous conditions on the road, and will make the single entrance and exit to the village attractive.

OFGAC recommends that in Section 3.3.2, Recommendation 2 extend planting of street trees to the full length of Constance Bay Road.

The draft plan states that “The undeveloped land within the village consists of generally open non-forested land and the significant natural areas. This is not correct. A large portion of the identified new development land is forested and low-lying marsh. A detailed analysis of specific soil (i.e. a geotechnical report) and vegetation types will be required, and the Environment Management Plan should be detailed enough to identify which of these areas will not be suitable for building. The forested areas will be degraded due to the recommended development and effects of cumulative degradation in all ecosystem types should be stated.

OFGAC recommends that a detail natural systems report be developed which would be the basis for determination of subdivision design.

3.4 Natural Environment Area

The following are comments on recommendations included in the draft plan;

Recommendation 1 - The Torbolton Forest is not indicated correctly in Schedule A.

Recommendation 2 – The Torbolton Forest is all municipally owned. Not the entire ANSI is publicly owned.

OFGAC recommends that corrections be made to recommendations in Section 3.4 Natural Environment Area as outlined.

Part B: The Community Development Strategy

5.2 Recreational Facility and Program Needs

Poison ivy is a fact of life in Constance Bay. It is considered to be a pioneer species which thrives in disturbed sandy areas where it spreads quickly through underground runners.

Poison ivy is found almost everywhere in Constance Bay – on private property, in ditches and along roadsides, and in the Torbolton Forest. The key to effective poison ivy control is to kill it as it appears, so that it does not have an opportunity to spread.

Poison ivy probably plays an important role in protecting some of the rare plant communities found in the Forest (and other parts of Constance Bay), since many of the rare plant species prefer similar disturbed open sandy areas where poison ivy can be found. This co-existence may have, in many instances, reduced the foot traffic which might have jeopardized the existence of some of these rare species. For example, a thriving community of a nationally rare plant species was found near a newly erected communications tower in the road easement area near the Community Centre by David White during his Rare Plant Inventory (personal observation) and was interspersed by poison ivy. This area had been dug up to construct the base for the tower

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

6. Torbolton Forest

The protection of the Earth and Life Science values recognized both in the Torbolton Forest and some adjacent lands must continue to be a priority so the Forest should be managed to ensure that the many species of rare plants which have survived in the “Sand Hills” (the former name of the village Constance Bay) for thousands of years are provided with an opportunity to survive and flourish in the future. The type and diversity of rare plant species and communities present complex management challenges.

Previous to actively addressing management issues in the forest, the Rare Plant Inventory report was commissioned and completed. This report was two years in the making, with many field visits made in different seasons to identify the rare plant species and their locations in the Forest. This report includes recommendations on how to actively manage the area in ways that protect our natural heritage. The current thinning operation of the Torbolton Forest pine plantations is possible due to the completion of the Rare Plant Inventory Report and follows recommendations included in the report.

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 that Section 6 Recommendation 2 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.

9.0 The Beach at Constance Bay

The beach is a community asset which should be protected both for its natural and its cultural values. The shoreline is home to rare plants and the shallows host thousands of migrating birds each fall.

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.