Statement of Robert Brocklebank,

Past President, Federation of Citizens' Associations of Ottawa-Carleton

Through my active involvement with community associations in Ottawa for many years, I have spoken before Council on numerous occasions on planning issues and participated in drafting the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law for the City. See the attachment for more information on my background.

My testimony will deal with the consultations held with community associations on the expansion of the urban boundary, with a particular focus on future housing needs, covering issues #5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in the Procedural Order. The positions I will take are consistent with the submissions of the Federation of Citizens' Associations of Ottawa Carleton to the Joint Special Meetings of the Planning and Environment Committee and Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee, March 31 2009 and May 12, 2009. 

As regards issues #5 and 6, it is my opinion that the dwelling type propensities used in OPA 76  overstate the demand for single detached homes and that the assumptions used during the  consultation with community associations, based on Growth Projections for Ottawa, 2006-2031: Prospects for Population, Housing and Jobs, Draft report for public consultation provide an appropriate and reasonable housing mix to accommodate the projected population growth within the existing urban boundary. 

Concerning issues #7 and 8, it is my opinion that the intensification and density targets in OPA 76 are appropriate and that the proposed requirement that urban expansion only be considered if intensification targets are met represents good planning.

On issue #9, it is my opinion that OPA 76 does not take into proper account all available vacant land within the existing urban boundary.

The reports on which I will be relying are:

City of Ottawa, Growth Projections for Ottawa, 2006-2031: Prospects for Population, Housing and Jobs, Draft report for public consultation

City of Ottawa, Residential Land Strategy for Ottawa, 2006-2031, February 2009

Submissions of the Federation of Citizens' Associations of Ottawa Carleton to the Joint Special Meetings of the Planning and Environment Committee and Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee, March 31 2009 and May 12, 2009.