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MANOTICK PARKS AND RECREATION
NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT
RAPPORT D’ÉVALUATION DES
BESOINS EN PARCS ET LOISIRS DE MANOTICK
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Committee Recommendation
That the
Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee recommend to Council the
approval of $368,000 from the cash-in-lieu of parkland account be allocated in
2004 for park acquisition and /or development in the Manotick area.
Recommandation
du comité
Que le Comité des
services organisationnels et du développement économique recommande au Conseil municipal d’approuver d’allouer en 2004, 368 000$ du compte du
règlement financier des frais relatifs aux terrains à vocation de parc pour
l’acquisition ou l’aménagement de parcs dans le secteur de Manotick.
Documentation
Attachment 1 - General
Manager, People Services memo dated 19 April 2004
Attachment 2 - Extract of Draft Minutes, HRSS 15 April
2004
Attachment 3 - Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
report dated 3 March 2004 (ACS2004-CCV-PRA-0002).
Attachment 4 - Manotick
Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment Final Report dated February 2004 (held on
file).
Attachment 1
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M E M O /
N O T E D E S E R V I C E
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To / Destinataire
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ToCorporate
Services and Economic Development Committee
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File/N° de
fichier: ACS2004-CCV-PRA-0002 File Number
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From / Expéditeur
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General Manager,
People Services
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Subject / Objet
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SubjectManotick
Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland Request
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Date: Date19
April 2004
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On
15 April 2004, the Health Recreation and Social Services Committee considered a
report from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee regarding a
cash-in-lieu of parkland request from the Manotick Community Association (MCA).
During the committee’s discussion, concern was
expressed about the staff comment included in the report that directed that
Recommendation 1 must go to the Corporate Services and Economic Development
Committee (CSEDC) for approval. Legal
staff advised at that time that because
the money was coming from a reserve fund and not a capital reserve fund, it was
considered new money and must therefore be dealt with by the committee who has
the mandate to deal with the expenditure of those funds. And, the HRSS committee
does not have that authority to do so.
Subsequently,
and while unanimous agreement about this reporting process could not be
achieved, the committee strongly endorsed the allocation of the request for
cash-in-lieu of parkland, but acknowledged the fact that the authority to
recommend that to Council rested with the CSEDC. The following recommendations were subsequently approved, as
amended by the underlined text:
3. That the Committee seek to add this
item to the next agenda of CSEDC (20 April 2004) notwithstanding the usual time
limits.
Funds
in the cash-in-lieu of parkland reserve total $6.010 million. An extract of the Draft Minute is appended
as Attachment 2.
Original signed by
Jocelyne
St Jean
Attachment 2
MANOTICK PARKS
AND RECREATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT / RAPPORT DÉVALUATION DES BESOINS EN
PARCS ET LOISIRS DE MANOTICK
Anne Robinson, Chair, Parks and Recreation
Committee, Manotick Community Association provided an overview of the Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment
Final Report dated February 2004. She
reported that the growing development in and around the area has resulted in
Manotick having little parkland. There
is unprecedented growth outside the Village, without parkland, and it will
impact on their parkland because users will travel to use the fields in this
area of the city. She urged committee
members to support the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. A copy of her power point presentation is
held on file.
In response to a question posed by Councillor
Stavinga, Brian Flynn, Manager of Financial Services, confirmed that the money
from the sale of the lots were put into the cash-in-lieu of parkland reserve
account.
In light of staff’s comment in the report
that the recommended 6-12 month timeframe in which to bring forward a preferred
park option is unrealistic, Councillor Stavinga inquired whether it would be
better to establish a longer timeframe to avoid raising expectations. Ms. Robinson was concerned that a longer
timeframe would result in an even greater delay and hoped that if it is
recommended that options come forward in 6 to 12 months, they might actually be
brought back within 18 months. The
councillor preferred not to raise expectations if staff are unable to deliver
within a tighter time frame. The
General Manager of People Services, Jocelyne St Jean, agreed that 12-18 months
is more realistic and Councillor Brooks suggested an amendment to
Recommendation 2 accordingly.
In light of staff’s comments in the report
that Recommendation 1 should be forwarded to the Corporate Services and
Economic Development Committee, Councillor Stavinga believed the committee
should support the recommendations of the Advisory Committee in principle, and
ask the CSEDC to look on this report favourably. In response to questions about this, Mr. Flynn advised that it
should rise to that committee because the monies are in a reserve fund and the
CSEDC has the mandate to determine the use of those funds. He confirmed it is not new money, but it
would still require consideration by the CSEDC.
Councillor Cullen argued however that this
committee is within it’s mandate to approve this recommendation, and he
provided examples whereby the Transportation Committee has approved budgetary
items from the TUPW Department. Mr.
Flynn clarified however that those projects he referred to are specific capital
projects approved at budget, so the funds have been allocated. However, this particular matter has not been
approved by committee or Council as a budget item and because it is a direct
access to the reserve fund, the Corporate Services and Economic Development
Committee is the approval body to recommend to Council. The councillor posited that sending the
recommendations to another committee before Council is a duplication of effort
and unnecessary. He reiterated the fact
that the funds are available in the account and the proposed use of those funds
is supported by staff.
Councillor Stavinga stated that the advisory committee
are not versed on the protocol vis a vis the appropriate authority, and
suggested that in future, staff need to be very cognisant of where there is a
need to have joint meetings. She
reiterated her suggestion that the committee support what it can, i.e.,
Recommendation 2 and send a very positive statement to the CSEDC regarding
Recommendation 1. She recognized that
the funds in this account are not dedicated at this point in time and therefore
must be dealt with by the CSEDC.
Councillor Doucet agreed that if the decision
is outside the overall budget, then the recommendation has to go to CSEDC. However, he understood that matters that did
not affect the disposition of the annual budget were able to be made at the
various committee levels and Recommendation 1 does not affect the budget, so he
questioned the proposal to route it through another committee for approval.
Chair Holmes also did not agree the
recommendation had to go to the CSEDC, especially when this is not new
money. She reiterated the fact it is a
dedicated parkland fund and questioned why both committees would have to deal
with it if it is not new money. In this
case, Council has approved a dedicated fund for development of parkland and
this committee decides what parkland will be built. She indicated that the total in that reserve fund should have
been included in the report.
Councillor Bédard believed that if there is an
existing list of priorities for parks and recreation projects, then that should
be addressed prior to responding to individual requests, such as this. The General Manager advised that the
Sportsfield Strategy and the Community Infrastructure Framework reports (Items
8 and 9 on the agenda) providing the building blocks for establishing those
priorities. With regards to where this
particular request fits, the Director of Parks and Recreation, Aaron Burry,
explained that it is consistent with what the committee will see in those
strategies in terms of looking for new development outside the greenbelt and
that is why staff support the report recommendations. He added that field development is a priority so wherever the
Department is able to look at that, it is a priority. And, this particular request would be considered a priority.
Moved by G. Brooks
That Recommendation 2 be amended to extend
the timeframe as follows:
CARRIED
In response to questions by committee with
regards to the appropriateness of this committee or the Corporate Services and
Economic Development Committee having the authority to approve Recommendation
1, Carey Thompson, Solicitor, advised that this committee’s terms of reference
do not allow them to approve Recommendation 1 and that only the CSEDC has that
authority. He explained that because
the money is coming from a reserve fund and not in a capital reserve fund, it
is considered new money and must therefore be dealt with by the committee with
the mandate to deal with the expenditure of those funds.
Councillor Brooks stated that the money was
collected from the sale of property in Manotick and the money was set aside for
the purchase of acquiring land that became available because the municipality
at the time realized the impending development and acknowledged that there
would be a need.
Moved by J. Stavinga
Moved by J. Stavinga
That the Committee seek to add this item to
the next agenda of CSEDC (20 April 2004) notwithstanding the usual time limits.
CARRIED
3. That
the Committee seek to add this item to the next agenda of CSEDC (20 April 2004)
notwithstanding the usual time limits.
CARRIED
as amended
Attachment 3
Report to/Rapport au :
Health, Recreation and
Social Services Committee /
Comité de la santé, des loisirs et des
services sociaux
and Council / et au Conseil
3
March 2004 / le 3 mars 2004
Submitted by/Soumis par : Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee /
Comité consultatif sur les parcs et les loisirs
Contact Person/Personne
ressource : Tania Richard, Coordinator / Coordonnatrice,
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee / Comité
consultatif sur les parcs et les loisirs
(613) 580-2424 Ext / poste, 29081 /
Tania.Richard@ottawa.ca
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Ref N°: ACS2004-CCV-PRA-0002
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SUBJECT:
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Manotick Parks and recreation needs
assessment report
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OBJET :
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RAPPORT D’ÉVALUATION DES BESOINS EN PARCS ET
LOISIRS DE MANOTICK
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REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That
the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee recommend Council
approve that $368,000 from the cash-in lieu of parkland account be allocated in
2004 for park acquisition and/or development in the Manotick area; and
2. That City Staff work with the Manotick Community Association and greater
community to assess various park options and recommend a preferred option to
Council within the next 6-12 months.
RECOMMENDATIONS DU
RAPPORT
1. Que le Comité de la santé,
des loisirs et des services sociaux recommande au Conseil municipal d’approuver d’allouer en 2004, 368 000$ du compte du règlement financier des frais
relatifs aux terrains à vocation de parc pour l’acquisition ou l’aménagement de
parcs dans le secteur de Manotick; et
2. Que le personnel de la
Ville travaille avec la “Manotick Community Association” et la communauté
élargie en vue d’évaluer les diverses options de parcs et de recommander une
option privilégiée au Conseil dans les six à douze prochains mois.
BACKGROUND
The mandate of the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Committee is to advise on all aspects of the provision
of leisure and recreation services in the City of Ottawa, including development
of recreation policy, and promoting and maintaining communication with the
public on parks and recreation needs.
The Committee’s responsibilities include:
·
providing advice and guidance to Ottawa City Council,
through the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee, on matters
pertaining to policies, practices and programs concerning parks, recreation and
leisure in the City;
·
conducting advocacy on behalf of recreation and park
users in the City;
·
reviewing and advising on the recreation needs of the
community;
·
working with community agencies to foster development
and implementation of recreational programs and parks in identified areas;
·
providing opportunities for the pursuit of leisure and
recreation, in order to improve the quality of life in the community;
·
providing support and coordination of neighborhood
community efforts necessary for the development and implementation of leisure
and recreation facilities, parks and programs; and
·
advising on the
development and conservation of park lands and recreational facilities.
DISCUSSION
At its 24 February 2004 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Committee received a presentation from Ms. Anne Robinson, Chair of the Manotick
Parks and Recreation Committee, and Mr. Mike O’Neil, President of the Manotick
Community Association, regarding the Manotick Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment
report. Following the
presentation, PRAC members voiced their support toward the Manotick Community
Association’s initiative and approved the following resolution:
WHEREAS $368,000 is
currently contained in the City of Ottawa cash-in-lieu of parkland account; and
WHEREAS these funds were
accumulated prior to amalgamation from the sale of parkland in Manotick Village
with the intent of acquiring a larger parkland parcel to address the need for
sports fields and parkland; and
WHEREAS the Manotick Community
Association in cooperation with City staff, have undertaken an extensive Parks
and Recreation Needs Assessment Report as attached; and
WHEREAS there is indeed a
need for additional park amenities to serve the existing and growing Manotick
and south urban community area; and
WHEREAS
additional time and effort is required to assess various options and determine
the best way to meet those needs.
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED THAT $368,000 from the cash-in-lieu of parkland
account be allocated in 2004 for park acquisition and/or development in the
Manotick area; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT
City staff work with the Manotick Community Association and greater community
to assess various park options and recommend a preferred option to Council
within the next 6-12 months.
CONSULTATION
There was no broad public consultation on this report. However, the following comments have been
provided by Development Services and People Services:
Development
Services Department reviewed the Cash-In-Lieu of Parkland Report as submitted
by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and agrees with the Report
Recommendations. Section 2.5.4 of the
Council adopted City Official Plan establishes policies regarding the strategy
for Parks and Leisure Areas. The
Advisory Committee's recommendations are consistent with subsections 6 and 7
which states:
6."As a
condition of development or redevelopment, the City will acquire land for park
or other public recreational purposes through the provisions of the Planning
Act, including alternative requirements, in a way that best meets park and
leisure needs of the community".
7."The
City may require payment-in-lieu of the parkland dedication where the lands to
be dedicated are not the right kind of land, or are not located in the best
place, or where open space and parkland targets have already been met. Where
payment-in-lieu is taken, it will be for the acquisition of new parkland or the
improvement of existing local park and recreational facilities accessible to
the area being developed."
Development Services staff are currently reviewing
all of the former municipalities Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland dedication by-laws
with the purpose of establishing a harmonized City of Ottawa Cash-in-Lieu
Parkland Dedication By-law. The intent is to modernize the by-law structure and
format to make the By-law user friendly; to rationalize the applicable
regulations and to introduce flexibility into the application and
administration of the Official Plan policy.
People Services is supportive of the recommendation
that City staff work with the Manotick Community Association and greater
community to assess options and recommend a preferred option to Council within
the next 6-12 months. The recommended timeframe is likely unrealistic due to
limited staff resources, and a potentially complex park and recreation facility
planning process. The process to itemize and confirm recreation needs in this
large area is not one which can be expeditiously achieved. Such a process
requires a significant community public participation process, a comprehensive
review of land availability, involving the Real Estate Branch, and depending
upon the lands in question, it may also require the need for rezoning and/or an
amendment to the Official Plan. Whatever options that may be short-listed, it
would also require City Council approval.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Concerning the recommendation to allocate $368,000
from the cash-in-lieu of parkland account for park acquisition and/or
development in the Manotick area, this recommendation must be directed to
Corporate Services Committee which has jurisdiction over such decisions. This Department supports this recommendation
since the south Ottawa area of the City is a large growing community with
evolving recreation facility needs.
These funds would assist is addressing these existing and on-going
needs.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Annex A: Manotick Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment Study
– Executive Summary
Annex B: Manotick Parks and Recreation Needs
Assessment Final Report (February 2004)
(Issued
Separately)
DISPOSITION
The Committee Coordinator
will inform the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee of the Health,
Recreation and Social Services Committee’s decision on the recommendations.
Annex A
MANOTICK PARKS AND RECREATION NEEDS
ASSESSMENT STUDY:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In October 2002, the
Manotick Community Association [MCA] met with Councilor Glenn Brooks to address
the matter of parkland acquisition for the Village of Manotick. Between 1997-1999 the former Rideau Township
Council sold nine parkland lots in the Village of Manotick for a total of
$565,681.28. The intent of selling the
dedicated parkland was to acquire a large park parcel that would address the
shortage of sports fields identified in the 1987 Recreation Master Plan. This park parcel would serve Manotick
Estates and the broader community and create the next ‘Centennial Park’ for the
Village.
Regrettably, no land was
acquired. Just prior to amalgamation in 2000, Rideau Township Council spent just
over $200,000 of these funds, with more than half spent outside of Manotick and
none expended on park acquisition.
After meeting with City staff and
Councilor Brooks in January 2003 it was agreed that the MCA would undertake a
Needs Assessment “to determine the short and long-term parks and recreation
needs of Manotick and area residents.”
The MCA agreed to do the
following tasks: Document Review,
Trends Analysis, Demographic Analysis, Park Inventory, Household Survey,
Community Consultation and User Group Profiles, Vacant Land Analysis and
Conclusion and Recommendations.
As early as 1987, the
Recreation Master Plan identified the shortage of a large park site in
Manotick. The Needs Assessment also
found that:
- The City, overall, currently has a significant
shortage of soccer and ultimate fields;
- The household survey [n=251] indicated a need for
walking paths (87.1%), natural treed areas (77%), a waterfront park (69%)
and soccer/ ultimate fields (58%).
- The trends indicate the need for local, accessible
walking paths; preservation and access to unique, local features e.g.
creeks, rivers, forests; an emphasis on community design that fosters
physical activity given rising obesity levels and poor physical activity
levels; soccer participation has now exceeded hockey in Canada and is
still growing; the Ottawa-Carleton Ultimate Association has also increased
its participation levels every year for the past decade.
- Manotick’s higher than average education and income
levels have resulted in a greater rate of participation in organized sport
and physical activity, and more demand for quality recreation services and
amenities.
- The Parkland Strategy of 1993 further acknowledged
the need for a large park parcel and the fact that Centennial Park was
essentially built out and that no new sports fields had been added in two
decades, despite significant housing additions in and around the Village
of Manotick.
- The community consultation with user groups indicated
a need for improved quality of existing ball fields, new multi-field
soccer development and multi-field ultimate location with appropriate
parking/ washroom/ tournament amenities.
Based on the document
review, trends analysis, demographic information, household and user survey
results, current and proposed park inventory, two strong needs were clearly
evident:
·
Waterfront
·
Sports Field Development
The MCA explored various options
with respect to waterfront including acquisition of the Manotick Boat Launch
from Parks Canada, right of first refusal on property between David Bartlett
Park and Long Island Locks, acquisition of land on the Rideau River at Century
Road and Kelly Marie Drive [if available], or acquisition of land along
the entire western edge of Mud Creek.
With respect to the need
for Sports Fields, there are two priorities to be further explored:
·
Develop the 65+ acres
of City-owned land on Rideau Valley Drive as a sports field park [pending
Official Plan Amendment and Council approval]; or
·
Acquire land in the
south/ western area of the Village along Century Road or First Line.
Clearly
there is considerable work to be done to explore various enhancement or
acquisition options to meet the needs of both the residents of Manotick and the
great southern area of the City. The
MCA is therefore putting forward the following motion:
Whereas $368,000 is currently
contained in the City of Ottawa cash-in-lieu of parkland account; and
Whereas these funds were
accumulated prior to amalgamation from the sale of parkland in Manotick Village
with the intent of acquiring a larger parkland parcel to address the need for
sports fields and parkland; and
Whereas the Manotick Community
Association in cooperation with City staff, have undertaken an extensive Parks
and Recreation Needs Assessment Report as attached; and
Whereas there is indeed a need
for additional park amenities to serve the existing and growing Manotick and
south urban community area; and
Whereas additional time and
effort is required to assess various options and determine the best way to meet
those needs;
Therefore BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
·
$368,000 from the cash-in-lieu of parkland account
be allocated in 2004 for park acquisition and/or enhancement in the Manotick
area; and
·
Staff work with the Manotick Community Association
and greater community to assess various park options and recommend a preferred
option to Council, within the next 6-12 months.