13. AIRPORT AND EMPLOYMENT POLICY HEARING: PROPOSED OFFICIAL PLAN MODIFICATIONS

AUDIENCE SUR LES POLITIQUES EN MATIÈRE D’EMPLOI ET DE L’AÉROPORT – CHANGEMENTS PROPOSÉS AU PLAN OFFICIEL

Committee recommendation

That Council endorse the modifications to Official Plan Amendment No. 76 as set out in Document 1.

Recommandation DU Comité

Que le Conseil appuyé les changements à la Modification n^o76 du Plan officiel tels que présentés dans le document 1.

Documentation

1. Deputy City Manager's report, Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability, dated 8 August 2011 (ACS2011-ICS-PGM-0175).

Report to/Rapport au :

Planning Committee

Comité de l'urbanisme

and Council / et au Conseil

08 August 2011 / le 08 août 2011

Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager, Directrice municipale adjointe, Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability, Services d'infrastructure et Viabilité des collectivités

Contact Person/Personne-ressource : Richard Kilstrom, Manager/Gestionnaire,

Policy Development and Urban Design/Élaboration de la politique et conception urbaine, Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance Élaboration

de la politique et conception urbaine

(613) 580-2424 x22653, Richard.Kilstrom@ottawa.ca

Gloucester-Southgate (10), River/Rivière (16)

Gloucester-South Nepean/Gloucester-Nepean Sud (22)

Ref N°: ACS2011-ICS-PGM-0175

SUBJECT:	AIRPORT AND EMPLOYMENT POLICY HEARING - PROPOSED OFFICIAL PLAN MODIFICATIONS

OBJET :	AUDIENCE SUR LES POLITIQUES EN MATIÈRE D’EMPLOI ET DE L’AÉROPORT - CHANGEMENTS PROPOSÉS AU PLAN OFFICIEL

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That the Planning Committee recommend Council endorse the modifications to Official Plan Amendment No. 76 as set out in Document 1.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité de l’urbanisme recommande au Conseil d’appuyer les changements à la Modification n^o76 du Plan officiel tels que présentés dans le document 1.

BACKGROUND

An information report was submitted to the meeting of Planning Committee held on January 25, 2011 to provide an update on the hearings concerning Official Plan Amendment No. 76 (OPA 76).

As noted in the Information Report, a hearing has been scheduled for September 19, 2011 with respect to policies concerning the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport and Employment Policies for the Airport and the Riverside South Community.

DISCUSSION

Staff have had discussions with the appellants for this phase of the OPA 76 hearings and the representatives of the Airport Authority with a view to see if any of the issues for the upcoming hearing could be resolved. The outcome of these discussions is below. The detailed language is found in Document 1.

Description of Airport Lands

The preamble to section 3.10.1 of the Official Plan contains a description of the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport stating that the lands leased by the Authority are shown on Schedule B.

In fact, certain of the lands leased by the Airport Authority are found on the Rural Policy Plan, Schedule A. Therefore a modification to the preamble is being recommended to recognize this fact.

Consultation on Concepts Plans for Development

Section 3.10.1, Policy 2 of the Official Plan speaks to the development by the Airport Authority of concept plans for development at the airport. The appellant sought assurances that the City would consult with interested parties prior to providing the City’s comments on such concept plans.

It is the long-standing practice that comments on significant development plans would be brought forward to Committee and Council for approval. Part of the process to provide such comments would be consultation with interested stakeholders. Staff therefore can support the inclusion of a specific reference to such consultation taking place.

Employment on Airport Lands

Riverside Development Corporation (“RSDC”) has appealed the employment policies with respect to the Airport and the Riverside South Community and, according to the witness statement filed on its behalf, seeks the changes set forth in Document 2.

The essence of the relief sought by RSDC is to have the airport lands identified as a priority land for employment within the city and to have the jobs generated at the airport considered for the jobs to housing ratio for the Riverside South Community. Section 2.2.2, Policy 19 of the Official Plan reads as follows:

In all urban communities outside the Central Area, opportunities will be sought to balance housing and employment opportunities. A ratio of at least 1.3 jobs per household will be reflected in the amount of land designated for employment and residential development within each of the three urban communities outside of the Greenbelt as shown in Figure 2.4.

The assignment of jobs at the airport to the Riverside South Community would serve to lessen the policy obligation of lands within Riverside South to achieve their employment target. There is the possibility that such an assignment could be sought to be used at the next Official Plan review as the basis for a redesignation of employment lands within Riverside South to General Urban.

Such an approach would be inconsistent with the longstanding approach for planning within the boundaries of the present City of Ottawa. The airport is not considered to be part of the Riverside South Community and the vast majority of the jobs located at the airport have been classified as being within the Greenbelt.

The Riverside South Community Design Plan was originally approved in June, 2005 and an update was approved by Council on January 13, 2010. Consistent with the planning history of this community, the Riverside South Community, as described in this Plan, does not include the majority of the airport lands but rather includes only a small portion of the airport lands immediately adjacent to the Riverside South Community.

It is the opinion of staff that inclusion of the airport within the Riverside South Community is not consistent with the goal of an appropriate balance of jobs and housing and the modification sought by RSDC should not be supported by the City.

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

This report relates to lands located within the Urban Area and the Greenbelt.

CONSULTATION

Staff have met with all appellants to this phase of the hearing on OPA 76 as well as the Airport Authority.

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S)

The Ward Councillors are aware of the report.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

As outlined in the report to Planning Committee on January 25, 2011, the Planning Act provides that when new information is being submitted to a hearing, such should be submitted to Council. While RSDC has taken the position before that the airport lands should be included in the jobs calculation for the Riverside South Community, this matter will be particularly in focus at the upcoming hearing. So that the Board may have regard to the decision of Council, this matter is being brought to Council’s attention.

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

N/A

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial implications. This hearing is being conducted with staff from Legal Services and Planning and Growth Management.

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS

None

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

The assignment of employment at the airport to Inside the Greenbelt is consistent with the strategic direction of respecting the existing urban fabric.

DISPOSTION

Legal Services will present the position of Council to the Ontario Municipal Board

DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 Proposed Modifications by Staff

Document 2 Proposed Modifications by RSDC

PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS BY STAFF DOCUMENT 1

ITEM

SECTION

OPA 76

RECOMMENDED CHANGES

141

3.10.1

Ottawa- Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

Amend Section 3.10.1 by deleting the preamble and replacing it with the following:

“The Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is a significant economic and employment generator within the National Capital region and an important contributor to Ontario’s economy. The airport links Ottawa to other major Canadian and American cities and serves as the National Capital’s international gateway to the world, offering regular scheduled service to key air transportation hubs in the United Kingdom and Western Europe. The passenger terminal building, airfield system and surrounding lands within the total 1800 hectare airport premises are operated and managed by the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority under a long-term lease with Transport Canada. The Airport Authority is a Non-Share Capital Corporation that manages the airport on a ‘not-for-profit’ basis, re-investing earnings in the improvement of passenger and aircraft facilities and services. For information purposes the lands leased by the Ottawa International Airport Authority are shown on Schedule B.

The diversity of aviation and business activity at the airport and on airport lands stabilizes the financial viability of airport operations through economic downturns and shocks to the aviation industry, and directly enhances the airport’s role as a key economic multiplier within the City. The ‘Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport’ incorporates a wide range of land uses including a passenger terminal building, the airfield system, aviation support facilities, ground transportation infrastructure, government installations, environmental areas and commercial aviation and non-aviation employment sectors.

The Ottawa International Airport Authority has prepared a Master Plan for all of the land leased by the Authority. The primary objective of the Airport Master Plan is to provide strategic direction and planning focus for the future development of the airport. The Plan identifies employment areas, airport operational/terminal areas, and environmental areas. Future development of employment uses will require the development of concept plans to:

· identify the type, density and location of land uses;

· establish land use, environmental and design guidelines;

· set out an implementation strategy for the proposed development.

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is located within the National Capital Greenbelt and the National Interest Land Mass, which is defined as lands essential to the long term functioning and experience of the Capital.”

Amend Section 3.10.1 by deleting the preamble and replacing it with the following:

· identify the type, density and location of land uses;

· establish land use, environmental and design guidelines;

· set out an implementation strategy for the proposed development.

143

3.10.1

Ottawa- Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

Amend Section 3.10.1 by deleting policies 2 and 3 and replacing them with the following:

“2. Proposed commercial aviation/ non-aviation, industrial and employment uses, outside of the areas reserved for core aviation functions and environmental protection shall proceed on the basis of more detailed land-use plans prepared by the proponent in consultation with the City, the National Capital Commission and other airport stakeholders. Design guidelines and technical studies will also be required, as appropriate, prior to development. The land-use plans will be prepared in accordance with Figure 2.5.6 of the Official Plan. This is a framework only and specific terms of reference will be developed for each plan to the satisfaction of the City of Ottawa.

3. Notwithstanding Policy 2 above, development proposals may be considered on a case- by-case basis in advance of the formulation of concept plans provided:

a. Site-specific issues and constraints are adequately addressed;

b. The uses are consistent with the direction provided in the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Land-Use Plan and the Greenbelt Master Plan.

4. For lands leased by the Airport Authority outside the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport designation, any change in the designations will require an Official Plan amendment that:

a. Is supported by studies prepared by the Airport Authority in consultation with the City, the National Capital Commission and other airport stakeholders; or

b. Implements land-use changes recommended through the NCC Greenbelt Master Plan Review process.”

Amend Section 3.10.1 by deleting policies 2 and 3 and replacing them with the following:

“2. Proposed commercial aviation/ non-aviation, industrial and employment uses, outside of the areas reserved for core aviation functions and environmental protection shall proceed on the basis of more detailed land-use plans prepared by the proponent in consultation with the City, the National Capital Commission and other airport stakeholders. Design guidelines and technical studies will also be required, as appropriate, prior to development. The land-use plans will be prepared in accordance with the framework established in Figure 2.5.6 of the Official Plan. Specific terms of reference will be developed for each plan in consultation with and to the satisfaction of the City of Ottawa. In turn the City will consult with impacted communities and interest groups as part of its input into the draft concepts for development.

3. Notwithstanding Policy 2 above, development proposals may be considered on a case- by-case basis in advance of the formulation of concept plans provided:

a. Site-specific issues and constraints are adequately addressed;

b. The uses are consistent with the direction provided in the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Land-Use Plan and the Greenbelt Master Plan.

4. For lands leased by the Airport Authority outside the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport designation, any change in the designations will require an Official Plan amendment that:

a. Is supported by studies prepared by the Airport Authority in consultation with the City, the National Capital Commission and other airport stakeholders; or

b. Implements land-use changes recommended through the NCC Greenbelt Master Plan Review process.”

Relief Sought in Riverside South

Development Corporation Witness Statement Document 2

That the following provision be added to the end of provision 2.2.2.19, “Jobs provided on Ottawa International Airport lands should be considered when evaluating the balance of jobs and housing in the Riverside South Community.

That the airport lands be added to the list of acknowledged employment generating land uses, by amending provision 2.2.2.20 to read as follows: “The City encourages intensification of jobs within areas designed Central Area, Mixed-Use Centre, Town Centre, Traditional Mainstreet, Arterial Mainstreet, Employment Area, Enterprise Area and Ottawa International Airport on Schedule B of this Plan in accordance with the foregoing policies on targets set out in Figure 2.3.”

That the designated airport lands be planned for and protected as an employment generating land use, by amending provision 2.2.2.23 to read as follows: “For the purposes of this policy, as well as policy 24 below, employment lands include Employment Areas, Enterprise Areas and the Ottawa International Airport as designated on Schedule B and employment uses are those described in S 3.6.5 of this Plan.

That the airport lands be acknowledged as an employment generating land use that should be considered when evaluating the distribution and mix of land uses in the urban area, by amending provision 2.2.2.24.c to read as follows: “The current supply of developable land with the urban boundary (including the Ottawa International Airport), its distribution within the city, and its potential to be developed for housing, employment and other purposes”; and

That the land use and infrastructure planning of the City and OIAA be integrated in regards to both the designated airport and southerly airport lands, by adding an additional provision to the end of policy 2.2.2.26 as follows: “The City shall consider the provisions of the Ottawa International Airport Authority Approved Land Use Plan during these reviews”.