Report to/Rapport au :

 

Planning and Environment Committee

Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement

 

28 June 2006 / le  28 juin 2006

 

Submitted by/Soumis par : John L. Moser, Acting Deputy City Manager/

Directeur municipal adjoint par interim,

Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance 

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Richard Kilstrom, Manager

Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Policy/Politiques d’urbanisme, d’environnement et d’infrastructure

(613) 580-2424 x 22653, Richard.Kilstrom@Ottawa.ca

 

Kanata (4), Goulbourn (6)

Ref N°: ACS2006-PGM-POL-0062

 

 

SUBJECT:

FERNBANK COMMUNITY DESIGN PLAN - TERMS OF REFERENCe

 

 

OBJET :

PLAN DE CONCEPTION COMMUNAUTAIRE POUR FERNBANK - PARAMÈTRES

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That Planning and Environment Committee approve the Terms of Reference for the Fernbank Community Design Plan, as shown in Document 1, to guide the project in consultation with the community, area landowners, and other interested parties.

 

 

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité de l’urbanisme et de l'environnement approuve les paramètres du plan de conception communautaire pour Fernbank, tel qu'illustrés dans le Document 1, dans le but d'orienter la consultation avec la collectivité, les propriétaires fonciers du secteur et autres groupes intéressés.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

In August 2005, the Ontario Municipal Board allowed appeals by Del, Brookfield and West Park Estates to designate their lands between Stittsville and Kanata as urban in the 1997 Regional Official Plan. In Order 2092, the Board requested that a modification to the 1997 Plan be prepared to guide future development of the area according to policies similar to those in the 2003 Ottawa Official Plan regarding community design plans.  Recognizing that the designation of the area was also appealed in the 2003 Official Plan, Council subsequently settled the 2003 Plan appeals by supporting a Future Urban designation for the area in the 2003 Plan and setting additional requirements for the community design plan.  At its meeting on November 9, 2005, Council adopted motions that, among other matters, required that planning for the area also consider the phasing of infrastructure, provision of recreation and public amenities, and financing.

 

The purpose of this report is to present the Terms of Reference for the Fernbank Community Design Plan for approval by Planning and Environment Committee.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

The Terms of Reference are proposed to guide a community design plan for a study area shown on Document 2 (attached) north of Fernbank Road between Stittsville and Kanata.  The purpose of the community design plan is to implement the policies of the Official Plan, particularly with reference to the policies of Section 3.6.4 on Developing Communities. Of the total study area of approximately 650 ha, approximately 455 ha are owned by Del, Brookfield and WestPark Estates. These landowners are sponsoring the community design plan and are paying all the costs associated with it and the environmental assessments. The remaining lands include approximately 132 ha designated as Agriculture Resource in the northeast portion of the study area that are now entirely surrounded by urban land, and approximately 60 ha in the southwest portion of the study area that are designated as General Rural.  The designation of the latter site was appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board after the 2003 Official Plan was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and is scheduled for a Board hearing in September.

 

Inclusion of these additional lands in the study area for the community design plan allows for efficient planning of public services for the long term.  Given the proximity of these lands to the urban area, it is reasonable to anticipate that they will be designated as part of the urban area by an Ottawa Council at some point in the future.  The future use of these lands will be broadly determined in the community design plan, to a level of detail sufficient to support analysis of requirements for transportation, water and sewer services and consideration of alternate development patterns and servicing scenarios. Stormwater management scenarios can be evaluated and environmental effects of development of the whole area can be reasonably assessed.  However, the need to designate the additional lands and any other lands in the city as urban will be assessed as part of a separate process leading to a Council decision on the urban land supply early in 2008, in keeping with Council's policy to consider the need for urban land on a comprehensive basis every five years.

 

The Terms of Reference proposes a planning process that coordinates the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for the required infrastructure with approval of an Official Plan amendment under the Planning Act. Provided that the intent and requirements of both the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process and the Planning Act process are fulfilled, the projects identified through the environmental assessment are considered pre-approved once an Official Plan Amendment based on the community design plan is approved.  Appeals of either the Class EA projects or the Official Plan Amendment would be to the Ontario Municipal Board.  This approach has the advantage of providing a more comprehensive approach to infrastructure and land use planning and helps incorporate mitigation measures in the development plan.  The public is also provided a more comprehensive picture of the proposed development and the implications of various development scenarios. 

 

However, coordination of the two processes can be technically challenging and therefore, the City staff and the landowners sponsoring the community design plan are working closely with the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, and Ministry of Transportation.  These ministries have been consulted on the Terms of Reference and the work program requires ongoing consultation.

 

The community design plan will be a cooperative undertaking by the City and the sponsoring landowners, Del, Brookfield Homes and WestPark Estates, with the two serving as co‑proponents of the Class EAs.  City staff, the sponsoring landowners, and their consultants will form the core project team, which in turn works throughout the project with a Technical Advisory Committee, comprised of government agencies and City staff from various departments, and a Public Advisory Group.  The Public Advisory Group, to be selected in consultation with the area Councillors, will include organizations such as community associations and recreation clubs based in the adjacent communities as well as environmental groups and other special interest groups that are interested in participating.  Council's Advisory Committees will be consulted during the study and requested to comment.

 

In keeping with the Council motion that the community design plan consider the advancement of public amenities, such as sportsfields, parks and community centres, a parks and recreation planner will participate throughout the process.  In addition, City staff will coordinate a review of community and protective services in the west to make sure the population growth arising from development of these lands, Kanata West and other new residential lands has been accommodated.

 

The study process will yield a community design plan plus supporting documents, including a Transportation Master Plan, Infrastructure/Servicing Master Plan, and Cultural Heritage and Environmental Management Plan, including a Carp River Restoration Plan if warranted.  The supporting documents will be prepared to a level of detail normally provided for Environmental Study Reports prepared in support of Municipal Class EA projects.  Further, the community design plan will advise on the need to adjust the phasing of infrastructure in the City's master plans for transportation and infrastructure, to accommodate the new development, and front-end financing will be considered.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The study area straddles two watersheds, the Carp River and the Jock River.  The Terms of Reference recognizes the need to incorporate the findings of the Carp River Watershed/Subwatershed Study and the background inventory of the Jock River Subwatershed Study (Reach 2) into the Environmental Management Plan.  Off-site impacts will also be identified and addressed appropriately. 

 

 

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The change in designation of formerly rural lands and the shift in the urban boundary was determined by the Ontario Municipal Board in 2005.  Thus, this report has no rural implications.

 


CONSULTATION

 

The Terms of Reference were drafted in consultation with area councillors, the conservation authorities and various provincial ministries. Copies of the proposed Terms of Reference and information about this report to Planning and Environment Committee were provided to all landowners in the study area.  In addition, all technical agencies and community groups who are circulated on development applications in the area were advised of this report, as a means of giving early notice that the study was being initiated. This report was also listed in the newspaper notices published for the July 11 meeting.  The Terms of Reference provide for public consultation as the study progresses. 

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

This report has no financial implications.  The sponsoring landowners are paying the cost of the community design plan and the environmental assessments and will not request compensation through the Development Charges Act.

 

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1      Fernbank Community Design Plan - Terms of Reference

Document 2      Study Area

 

 

DISPOSITION

 

Planning and Growth Management be directed to initiate the Fernbank Community Design Plan, in keeping with its Terms of Reference.

 

 

 

 


 

DOCUMENT 1

 

FERNBANK COMMUNITY DESIGN PLAN –

TERMS OF REFERENCE                                                                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fernbank Community Design Plan

 

 

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

June 27, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brookfield Homes (Ontario) Limited ◘ 443641 Ontario Limited (Del Corporation Ltd.) ◘ WestPark


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Background

CDP Study Area Boundaries

CDP Purpose and Objective

CDP Study Team Organization

Environmental Assessment

CDP Work Program and Deliverables

Step 1 – Existing Conditions/Phase 1 and 2 Class EA

Step 2 – Guiding Principles

Step 3 – Preliminary Design Guidelines and Development of Land Use Plans-Phase 2 Class EA

Step 4 – Demonstration Plan and Detailed Design Guidelines-Phase 3 Class EA

Step 5 – Final Preparation of Community Design Plan- Phase 4 Class EA

 

 

 

FIGURES

 

Figure 1: City of Ottawa Official Plan – Schedule B

Figure 2: Study Area

Figure 3:  MEA Class EA and Planning Act Processes

 

 

TABLES

 

Table 1

 

 

APPENDICES

 

Appendix A      Public Consultation

 


Background

 

The Fernbank Community is proposed to encompass approximately 650 hectares (1,600 acres) of land between the established communities of Stittsville, Kanata West and Kanata South, extending south to Fernbank Road, within the West Urban Area of the City of Ottawa.  The Fernbank Community Study Area is shown on Figures 1 and 2 (the “Study Area”). 

 

Figure 1: City of Ottawa Official Plan – Schedule B

 

 

 

At the request of the three major landowners in the Study Area, (Brookfield Homes (Ontario) Limited, Del Corporation and WestPark, collectively the “Sponsoring Landowners”) the City of Ottawa is supporting the initiation of the Fernbank Community Design Plan (“CDP”) process, generally as outlined herein.

 

The Study Area includes approximately 455 hectares (1,125 acres) of land owned by Brookfield Homes (Ontario) Limited, Del Corporation and WestPark (“Brookfield”, “Del” and “WestPark”) and additional lands to extend the Study Area north to Hazeldean Road, east to the Carp River, west to the existing Urban Area of Stittsville and south to Fernbank Road, which is to function as an Urban Area boundary to protect productive agricultural areas to the south on the Richmond Plain.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2: Study Area

 

 

The Brookfield, Del & WestPark lands were the subject of an Ontario Municipal Board (“OMB”) hearing during the summer of 2005 which involved proposed amendments to the former Region of Ottawa-Carleton Official Plan (“Regional Plan”) to redesignate lands for urban uses.  As directed by OMB Order No. 2092, issued August 11, 2005, Order No. 3352, issued December 11, 2005, and Order No. 1604, issued May 31, 2006, the Regional Plan and the City of Ottawa Official Plan are to be respectively amended to redesignate the Brookfield, Del and WestPark lands as “General Urban – Special Policy Area” and “Future Urban Area”, and to include these lands within the Urban Area Boundary.  The lands subject to OMB Order Nos. 2092, 3352 and 1604 are also shown on Figures 1 and 2.  When the OMB issues its final order on the Fernbank lands, the small holdings between Terry Fox Drive and Shea Road, adjacent to Fernbank Road, will be included in the urban area.

 

The proposed Study Area encompasses the entire area between Stittsville and Kanata extending from Hazeldean Road south to Fernbank Road which includes lands that were not approved as ‘General Urban – Special Policy Area” and “Future Urban Area” in the OMB’s decision.  The OMB concurred with the evidence that future planning studies (such as those described herein) address the whole of the area to the north of Fernbank Road and indicated that it could support an urban designation for the whole area.  However, the determination as to if and when these other lands within the Study Area are included within the designated urban area will be a matter subsequently determined by City Council.

 

Order No. 3352 also directs that community design plans for the lands designated as Future Urban Area shall, in addition to the requirements described in Section 3.6.4 of the Official Plan, address the phasing of the north-south arterial road capacity; the need to advance the timing of infrastructure identified in Council’s master plans; the provision of recreation and other amenities; the use of front-ending financing; and, measures to ensure that existing local infrastructure is not overburdened. 

 

The OMB Order also reflects Council’s motion of November 9, 2005, which provided direction on the preparation of the Fernbank CDP.  These included the integration and design of the new north-south arterial to accommodate development within the study area, the preparation of a final phasing plan, examination of infrastructure and public amenity requirements and the ability to advance their construction through front-end financing.

 

Both the “General Urban – Special Policy Area” and “Future Urban Area” land use policies provide a shared general policy direction for the preparation of the Fernbank CDP, prior to other development approvals, as expressed in Section 3.6.4 of the Official Plan.  This includes:

<                    Establish the mix and location of residential dwelling types for the area, of which no more than 60 per cent shall be single-detached and semi-detached, and, at least 10 per cent shall be apartment dwellings and the remainder multiple dwellings, other than apartments;

<                    Establish an overall average density for single-detached, semi-detached and townhouses of 29 units per net hectare;

<                    Identify how the land use mix contributes to achieving the balance of jobs and households for the larger area;

<                    Establish an overall mix and location of other land uses such as recreational, commercial and institutional;

<                    Complete a subwatershed plan should no plan exist for the area[1];

<                    Establish a modified grid system as the preferred alignment of roads serving the area, in order to maximize the number of access and egress points, the permeability of the network, pedestrian and transit accessibility to all areas, and to enhance way-finding and personal navigation within it; 

<                    Preserve existing desirable landform or landscape features;

<                    Identify and illustrate how the development pattern will achieve a distinctive identity and a variety of building form and façade treatments;

<                    Establish policies for Hazeldean Road that provide for a mix of uses that have the potential to evolve, over time, into more compact, pedestrian-oriented and transit friendly places, considering Arterial Main Street Design Guidelines and in keeping with Council policies already approved for development fronting on this roadway.

 

A key consideration throughout the Fernbank CDP process will be the various subwatershed studies. The results of the Carp River Watershed/Subwatershed Study will also provide essential input into the preparation of the CDP.  At this time, preparation of the Reach Two Jock River Subwatershed Study has been initiated, but only the Existing Conditions Report having been prepared. The watershed analysis relating to the Fernbank CDP process is to be integrated with any on-going watershed studies or study updates and the Master Plans associated with the Environmental Assessments required for the Study Area.

 

These Terms of Reference are intended to provide information regarding the following components of the Fernbank CDP, including:

 

·         Study Area Boundaries (Including the lands subject to OMB Order Nos. 2092 and 3352 and other lands in proximity which provide a logical and comprehensive area for evaluation)

·         CDP Purpose and Objective

·         CDP Organization

·         Environmental Assessment

·         Work Program and Deliverables

 

These Terms of Reference also represent the commencement of a process that will provide an excellent opportunity for the residents of the City of Ottawa, including the immediate surrounding communities of Kanata South, Stittsville and Kanata West, to contribute to a collaborative community design process and to forge partnerships with the City of Ottawa and area landowners.  Input from stakeholders will be balanced and shaped in accordance with the approved goals, objectives and policy directives of the City of Ottawa Official Plan.

 

CDP Study Area Boundaries

 

As is illustrated in Figure 2, the Study Area for the Fernbank CDP is limited to those lands designated as Future Urban Area, General Rural Area and Agricultural Resource Area in the new City of Ottawa Official Plan, located south of Hazeldean Road, east of the existing, designated urban area of Stittsville, west of the Carp River and the Terry Fox Drive Extension and, north of Fernbank Road.  The Study Area comprises approximately 650 hectares (1,600 acres).

 

Background studies for the CDP and Environmental Assessment processes will ensure that the lands located within the Study Area are reviewed strategically by:

 

·         The identification of possible future transportation, recreational, community infrastructure and servicing linkages to the Study Area and abutting communities;

·         The identification of environmental features and constraints to ensure that the aforementioned linkage locations do not adversely impact significant environmental features;

·         The identification of significant cultural and heritage attributes; and,

·         An assessment of the potential impact of existing and future land use activities on the affected subwatershed systems.

 

The study area has been expanded to include lands surrounded by urban development.  It is anticipated that these lands will eventually be developed for urban purposes. The time horizon is not known at this time, however this plan and the infrastructure required to support the CDP will provide for eventual integration of these lands into the urban area.

 

CDP Purpose and Objective

 

The Fernbank CDP process represents an important opportunity to shape future development and land use in a manner that fulfills and implements the key goals, objectives and policies of the City of Ottawa Official Plan, including those pertaining to growth management and Developing Communities, within a framework that carefully considers the character of existing and planned adjacent communities.

 

The Fernbank CDP is to be prepared in accordance with the policy requirements of Section 3.6.4 of the Official Plan, and address the additional Study Area-specific matters as outlined in OMB Order No. 3352, and as described in the Background section of these Terms of Reference.  In general, the Fernbank CDP is intended to establish the mix, location and types of land uses within the Study Area in accordance with good land use planning and community design principles and infrastructure requirements. 

 

The objective of the CDP is to create a blueprint, which will help shape the Fernbank Community as a very liveable community, with a land use plan, a parks and recreation plan, an open space plan, an infrastructure plan, and design guidelines.  The CDP preparation process will be integrated with Environmental Assessment processes for required infrastructure within the Study Area.  The approved CDP will be the basis for an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) under the Planning Act encompassing the entire Fernbank Study Area. The following sections will provide the steps for the OPA and indicate how the Class EA requirements will be integrated with the actual OPA. 

 

The Fernbank CDP will be completed within an overall planning framework, which considers the following on-going projects and plans:

 

·         Carp River Watershed/Subwatershed Study;

·         Jock River Subwatershed Study (Reach 2), as available;

·         Greenspace Master Plan;

·         Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study;

·         Transportation Master Plan;

·         Infrastructure Master Plans;

·         Stormwater Management Strategy (Master Plan);

·         Hazeldean Road Widening/Huntmar Road Extension/ Fernbank Road Widening/Terry Fox Drive Extension Environmental Assessments;

·         Ottawa Cycling Plan;

·         Pathway Network for Canada's Capital Region (Update);

·         East-West LRT Corridor Environmental Assessment;

·         Urban Design Guidelines (Annex 3 to the Official Plan);

·         Sports Fields Strategy;

·         Recreation Infrastructure Strategy; and,

·         Carp River, Poole Creek and Feedmill Creek Restoration Environmental Screening Report (2006).

 

In parallel with the Fernbank CDP, City staff will review the need for community services in the Fernbank and surrounding area, to ensure that existing community services are not over-burdened and that provision is made for future growth.

The Fernbank CDP is a developer-initiated and funded project, however, the City of Ottawa remains the key stakeholder and provides the regulatory framework within which the CDP will be completed. The costs associated with the Fernbank CDP study process will be borne by the Sponsoring Landowners.

 

CDP Study Team Organization

 

The organization of the Fernbank CDP Community Design Plan will include a number of committees or teams to enable a collaborative study process which encompasses a broad range of stakeholders.

 

Core Project Team (“CPT”)

A Core Project Team (“CPT”) will be established and comprised of the Sponsoring Landowners as described in this section, the consultant team, and City of Ottawa staff from the Department of Planning and Growth Management.  The primary function of the CPT will be to resolve issues and achieve consensus at each step of the CDP work program. Walker Nott Dragicevic Associates Limited (“WND”) will lead the project consulting team and also be responsible for land use planning and urban design input. The City of Ottawa will provide an internal project Manager for coordination and guidance. The CPT contains representatives from the following organizations and will sit on a monthly basis:

 

City of Ottawa

·          Area Councillors

·          Community Design and Environment

·          Transportation & Infrastructure Planning (Transit)

·          Environment

·          Population and Modeling

·          Communications

·          Development Approvals

·          Parks and Recreation Planning

·          Public Works

 

Sponsoring Landowners

·         Brookfield Homes (Ontario) Limited

·         443641 Ontario Limited  (“Del Corporation”)

·         830289 Ontario Ltd., 891748 Ontario Limited, SRI Limited, Margaret Watters and Pleasant Valley Dairy Farms Limited (“WestPark”)


 

Consulting Team

·         WND – Land Use Planning (Project Manager), Urban Design, Parks Master Planning

·         Novatech Engineering Consultants Ltd. – Servicing Infrastructure

·         Novatech Engineering Consultants Ltd. – Subwatershed Study, Soils, Stormwater Management

·         Delcan – Transportation

·         Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. – Natural Environment

 

Technical Advisory Committee (“TAC”)

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will also be created and will meet to review critical deliverables on an as-needed basis. The work program has five scheduled TAC meetings. In addition, as needed, the members of the TAC are to be available to provide input throughout the CDP process. Representatives of the following organizations will be invited to participate:

 

·         CPT Members (as needed)

·         City of Ottawa Traffic and Parking Operations

·         City of Ottawa Parks and Recreation Branch

·         City of Ottawa Infrastructure Services

·         City of Ottawa Utility Services Branch

·         City of Ottawa Transit Services

·         City of Ottawa Development Approvals

·         Ontario Hydro

 

The Government Review Agencies (GRA), as listed below, with an interest in the project shall be provided with copies of all notices prepared for the project and requested to provide input and comments during phases 2, 3 and 4 of the Class EA process.  In addition, GRA representatives may also be invited to sit as regular members of the TAC.  The level of participation may vary depending on the role of the GRA.  For example, some government review agencies may not wish to attend meetings at the initial steps but would be involved in the details of the alternative designs, others may not wish to participate in the evaluation and selection of alternatives but only to provide a technical input.  The level of participation will be at the discretion of the agency/representative.  Individual meetings will be held with GRA as required and TAC meeting agendas will be distributed in advance to assist in determining if attendance/participation is required.

 

Government Review Agencies

·         Ontario Ministry of the Environment

·         Ontario Ministry of Transportation

·         Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

·         Ontario Ministry of Culture and Tourism

·         Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat

·         Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

·         Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

·         Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority

·         Department of Fisheries and Oceans

·         Environment Canada

 

Terms of Engagement for the TAC and GRA are outlined in the Consultation Plan contained in Appendix "A”.

 

Public Advisory Committee (“PAC”)

The varied interests of the surrounding community (i.e., community associations, local residents, and special interest groups) will be represented on the PAC. The PAC will meet with members of the CPT on a regular basis to:

·         identify any community issues early in the CDP process;

·         review technical analyses;

·         provide direct input to the establishment of the guiding principles of the CDP;

·         work collaboratively with the Consultant Team in the development of land use alternatives; and,

·         provide meaningful feedback on all study activities and work-in-progress. 

The format of the PAC meetings will vary based on the specific activities associated with each ‘Step’ of the Work Plan.  For example, for the development of land use scenarios, the PAC meeting will take the form of a hands-on workshop, where alternatives will be developed through direct PAC participation.

 

The composition of the PAC will be as follows:  

 

·         Community Groups such as;

o        Community Associations

o        Recreation Associations

o        Religious Organizations

·         Special Interest Groups, such as:

o        Ottawa River Keeper

o        Sierra Club of Canada

o        Friends of the Carp

 

Representatives to the PAC will be identified in consultation with City Councillors and staff. Terms of Engagement for the PAC are outlined in the Consultation Plan contained in Appendix "A”. 

 

Additional Consultation

In addition to the CPT, Sponsoring Landowners, TAC and PAC groups there are a number of City advisory committees which will also be regularly advised of, and be requested to provide comment to, the study on a regular basis.  This will include Advisory Committees, such as

o            Roads and Cycling Advisory Committee

o            Environmental Advisory Committee

o            Pedestrian and Public Transit Advisory Committee Advisory Committee

o            Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

o            Forest and Greenspace Advisory Committee

 

Other landowners within the study area will also be regularly advised of, and be requested to provide comment to, the study on a regular basis.

 

Finally, there are a number of ‘open houses’ and ‘workshops’ identified within the Work Plan which form important consultation opportunities for the public at-large.   While the PAC will be comprised of a diverse cross-section of community interests, it is recognized that other residents, businesses and individual landowners may wish to provide input to the CDP process and these public open houses and workshops will provide opportunities for that input. The nature and scope of these consultation initiatives will vary based on the specific activities associated with each ‘step’ of the Work Plan and, where appropriate, ‘hands-on’ workshops will be employed wherein the stakeholders will participate directly in the preparation of such matters as guiding principles and land use/design alternatives for consideration in the study process.

 

Environmental Assessment

 

A key component of the CDP process will be the coordination and integration of the CDP preparation process, including the Planning Act requirements for an implementing Official Plan Amendment, and the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for related environmental and infrastructure projects.  The planning and coordination of the infrastructure and environmental management requirements for the CDP in consultation with the community will help to ensure that the objectives of the City, the community and approval authorities are fulfilled.

 

Master Plans and Studies and associated infrastructure projects for water, wastewater, storm drainage, stormwater management, stream restoration and roads are required to follow the process outlined in Section A.2.7 of the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class Environmental Assessment -June 2000 (“MEA Class EA”) pursuant to the Environmental Assessment Act.  The MEA Class EA permits proponents to combine the community and MEA Class EA infrastructure planning processes into an integrated approach as set out in Section A.2.9 of the MEA Class EA.  The MEA Class EA specifically states that “any project which would otherwise be subject to this (MEA) Class EA and has fulfilled the requirements outlined in Section A.2.9 of this (MEA) Class EA and for which the relevant Planning Act documents have been approved or have come into effect under the Planning Act…” is a Schedule “A” (approved activity) project.  As such the Master Plans will be prepared following Approach #4 – Integration with the Planning Act which will address the infrastructure servicing alternatives in an integrated fashion to recommend the best overall solution for the community.  The Environmental Assessment requirements for all projects will be completed through the Master Plan process (Approach 4) and integrated with the Official Plan Amendment, so that appeals about any of the projects must be directed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

 

The MEA Class EA recognizes the benefits of integrating the Class Environmental Assessment process with the Planning Act approval, provided the intent and requirements of both processes are fulfilled.  This type of integrated process would result in the projects identified in the Master Planning and EA studies as being considered to be pre-approved under the MEA Class EA process when the approval of the Official Plan Amendment to implement the CDP under the Planning Act comes into effect.  Under an integrated approach, the MEA Class EA process, consultation and documentation requirements are not diminished and the final review and approval authority (appeal mechanism) for both the MEA Class EA projects and the Planning Act applications is the Ontario Municipal Board, not the Ministry of the Environment.  Figure 3 illustrates the two parallel processes prior to their integration while and Table 1 describe how the required components of the CDP and the Planning Act requirements for the OPA and MEA Class EA processes are to be coordinated and the schedule achieved. 

 

Key points for integration include:

·          documentation of existing conditions

·          public consultation

·          development of infrastructure and land use alternatives

 

The City and the Sponsoring Landowners Group will act as co-proponents for these undertakings as they are mutually beneficial projects.  As such, the conditions of the MEA Class EA shall apply equally to each co-proponent.

 

 

Figure 3:  MEA Class EA and Planning Act Processes

 

 


Table 1


An integrated MEA Class EA Planning Act approach as identified in section A.2.9 of the MEA Class EA document allows for:

·             A single point of contact ("One-Window") at the City and ensures consistent responses and notification to the public and media.  If the CDP process and associated Planning Act application and Class EAs were not integrated, there could potentially be several different notices for meetings and public review periods in order to meeting the requirements of both processes.

·             One approval framework schedule assists in ensuring that infrastructure and development would not proceed or be delayed if only one of the Class EA projects received a Part II Order request. 

·             Integrated Consultation – Consolidating the Planning Act and Municipal Class EA consultation will save time and money.  Meetings can meet the requirements of both the land use planning and Class EA processes. This also helps to ensure consistent responses and notification to the public and media.

·             Harmonized Review - Review agencies and the public will have an opportunity to review the Class EA documentation and the CDP documentation as an inclusive package and, accordingly, would be better able to understand the decision making processes.

·             Integrated Review and Approvals – With the approval of the Official Plan Amendment and, by extension, the MEA Class EA projects through the Planning Act, any appeals will be considered by the OMB and it will have access to all the studies needed for an informed decision.

Once approved, the preferred municipal infrastructure projects will generally not be subject to additional MEA Class EA approval requirements with the submission of subsequent site plan or plan of subdivision applications. This ensures that the environmental protection measures identified in the MEA Class EAs to permit development in the Study Area will be adhered to by any subsequent developments. Any amendments or revisions would be made using the addendum procedures in the Municipal Class EA, with the appropriate public review.

Specific Environmental Assessment Studies that will be included in the preparation of the CDP will include:

·          Transportation Master Plan;

·          Master Servicing Plan; and

·          Environmental Management Plan including Carp River Watercourse Restoration Plan, if required.

 

The above Master Plans will identify the individual projects to be implemented under the Master Plan, and will identify the Class EA project schedules for each project.  The final Notice issued for completion of the Planning Act and Class Environmental Assessment process, and availability of supporting documentation, shall also list the individual projects for which the Municipal Class EA process is deemed to be completed.

 


CDP Work Program and Deliverables

 

An overview of the CDP work program is shown on Table 1. Detailed Work Plans for the specific Plans and Studies will be reviewed and approved by City staff in consultation with the interested Government Review Agencies. The overall program will be completed in five steps as described in the following paragraphs. Steps 1 and 2 comprise Phase 1 of the Fernbank CDP process while Steps 3, 4 and 5 comprise Phase 2. 

 

The Fernbank CDP general work schedule is expected to take approximately fifteen months to complete, within the two-phased approach.  The first phase is anticipated to commence in August of 2006 and continue until November of 2006, and involve the collection of background information and data and the establishment problems, opportunities and guiding principles for the preparation of the Fernbank CDP.  Identification of alternative solutions will be developed in concert with the establishment problems, opportunities and the evaluation and selection of the alternative solutions will benefit through input from the guiding principles.  This work is intended to satisfy phases 1 and 2 of the MEA Class EA process as illustrated in Figure 4. 

 

The second phase is anticipated to commence in January 2007, and involve the preparation, review and selection of alternative land use plans and alternative designs for required Schedule C Class EA projects, as well as the preparation of design guidelines, a demonstration plan and will culminate in Council’s adoption of the Fernbank CDP and an implementing Official Plan Amendment in the last quarter of 2007.  Phases 3 and 4 of the MEA Class EA process will be included within the second phase of the CDP Study process. 

 

 

 


Step 1 – Existing Conditions/Phase 1 and 2 Class EA

A key first step in the Environmental Assessment process is to identify the need or opportunity for a project.  The OMB decision approved certain portions of the CDP Study Area for urban (primarily) residential land uses to contribute to a supply of required urban residential lands.  The OMB concurred with the evidence that future planning studies (such as those described herein) address the whole of the area north of Fernbank and indicated it could support an urban designation for the whole area.

 

The CDP study area boundaries will recognize those adjacent areas that may be affected by the proposed undertaking.  The spatial boundaries may vary depending on the environmental features being investigated in order to address environmental affects and operational issues; to accommodate coordination with relevant on-going studies and projects; and to identify infrastructure needs and future connections.  For example, transportation projects result in noise and air quality impacts outside the CDP boundary; stormwater drainage or works within the watershed could have upstream and downstream impacts, and disruption of wildlife corridors could have impacts outside the CDP area.  Any potential off-site impacts will be constructively addressed to identify appropriate mechanisms for moving forward.

 

The intent of Step 1 is to gather all information that exists for the CDP study area to inform the CDP process, identify information gaps and opportunities, and to serve as a springboard to address issues affecting the community, including impacts on community facility services, (which may, in turn, affect infrastructure phasing and front-end financing).  An inventory of the existing natural, social and economic environment will be documented as outlined below:

 

Land Use:

·         Summary of existing Official Plan Designations and Zoning.

·         Summary of existing and proposed land uses – both within and adjacent to the CDP Study Area.

·         Review of all relevant Land Use Planning Documents, to include approved policy/regulatory documents (i.e., Official Plans) and on-going major land use planning initiatives.

·         Update of relevant Official Plan appeals within the context of this study.

 

Subwatershed:

·         Information from completed and ongoing Subwatershed Studies will be incorporated into the CDP.

·         Ongoing Natural Environment Existing Conditions work will address the following, including any opportunities or constraints such elements may pose on the future development of the area:

<        Fisheries: The location of any fish habitat within the Carp River, Jock River, drains, roadside ditches and creeks within the whole CDP study area.

<        Vegetation: The vegetation communities (including woodlots, significant tree stands and hedgerows) within the study area will be documented (in descriptive form and on figures) and where relevant, these vegetation communities may be assessed on the basis of the evaluation criteria contained within the ‘Urban Natural Features Environmental Evaluation Study’.

<        Wildlife: A summary of the field inventory surveys will be presented in table format and lists. The significance on a national, provincial and regional level will be determined.

<        Natural Area: A literature review of existing information on natural areas within the study area will be completed.

<        Fluvial Geomorphic: A review of existing conditions surrounding the Carp River basin and other tributaries within the study area

 

Transportation:

·              Review intersection volumes and Levels of Service for the Existing Road Network in the study area (to include Main Street, Hazeldean, Huntmar Extension, Iber, Terry Fox, Eagleson, Fernbank, Shea, Abbott Street East, and Hope Side Road).

·              Overview of Fernbank Community Transit Service.

·              Overview of existing pedestrian and cycling networks.

·              Review Eagleson/Terry Fox screen lines and their existing capacity.

 

Infrastructure (water, sanitary, storm, major utilities):

·              Review existing conditions both within the CDP study area and the systems to which future development may connect them.

·              Provide an overview of presently planned infrastructure improvements.

·              Hydrogeological and geotechnical information;

·              As a component of the infrastructure overview and Subwatershed work, soils information will also be gathered.

·              Review previously completed servicing reports for the study area.

 

Cultural Heritage:

·              Evaluate archaeological and historical significance potential based on Provincial data and determine areas for further assessment;

·              Within areas for further assessment, conduct a review and assessment of properties potentially possessing design, physical, historical or contextual cultural heritage value or interest;

 

Parks and Recreation

·              Information regarding parks and recreation facilities in the area

o        Trans Canada Trail

o        Carp River Recreation Pathway

o        Goulbourn Recreation Complex and Skate Park

 

If it is determined that information gaps exist, the impact of the gaps and how they will be addressed will be defined in this step of the work program.

 

The preliminary Existing Conditions information is to be presented at the first TAC meeting (#1)  and first PAC meeting (#1), and distributed to the interested GRA for review and comment in advance of Open House (#1).  Both the PAC meeting and Open House will provide opportunities for the community to identify key local community issues that will be important to the activities of the overall work plan.  These local issues will also inform the development of the Guiding Principles to be established in the next step of the work plan.  A second TAC meeting will be held to finalize the existing conditions reports

 

Deliverable:

·              Preliminary Existing Conditions Reports with Maps endorsed by the CPT.

 


Step 2 – Guiding Principles

The intent of this step is to establish the Guiding Principles for the CDP which will provide a framework for subsequent community designs and detailed land use patterns. The Guiding Principles are to be consistent with the City of Ottawa Official Plan and reflect:

 

·         The existing conditions of the Study area;

·         The preliminary opportunities and constraints produced by those existing conditions; and,

·         Community and landowner interests and issues.

 

The Core Project Team will conduct a facilitated round-table session, in advance of the finalization of the Existing Conditions Reports, once sufficient existing conditions information is assembled. The Guiding Principles are to be vetted by the TAC and PAC.

 

The first Public Open House (#1) represents a discretionary point of contact with the public and review agencies in accordance with the Municipal Class EA.  The Meeting will be held to jointly address Step 1 and 2 components of the Study process, including the introduction of the CDP process, explanation of the Planning Act and Municipal Class EA integration process; present findings to date (i.e. Guiding Principles & Preliminary Existing Conditions) and to elicit input on opportunities and issues to be addressed by the CDP and Environmental Assessments.  Public Open House No. 1 will also be utilized to further interest local residents in participating in the process (i.e., future workshop participants).

 

A key activity which will be completed as part of Step 2 in the work program is a Facilitated Session & Workshop for the CPT to establish the Guiding Principles for the CDP. It is recognized that the CDP with its Demonstration Plan will support the goals and objectives of the City of Ottawa Official Plan; however, it will be of great benefit to establish the Guiding Principles as early as possible in the CDP process.

 

Deliverables:

·              Guiding Principles endorsed by CPT.

·              Final Existing Conditions Report endorsed by CPT.

 

 


Step 3 – Preliminary Design Guidelines and Development of Land Use Plans-Phase 2 Class EA

Three alternative Land Use Plans conforming to the Guiding Principles and infrastructure alternatives identified in the Master Plans and Studies will be produced by the consulting team in collaboration with the CPT, TAC, PAC and the public at large.  During Step 3, broad preliminary community design guidelines that support the initial land use plans and infrastructure alternatives will also be produced.

 

Three design workshops will be held, the first with the TAC and interested GRA, the second with the PAC and the third with the broader public. The workshops will form the first mandatory point of contact with the public and review agencies in accordance with the Municipal Class EA requirements.  The results of the workshop, in conjunction with technical analysis by the consulting team, CPT, and TAC, will inform the identification of three alternative land use plan and the selection of a recommended land use plan and preferred alternative solution.   The impact assessment and evaluation of the alternatives will be documented and form the basis for confirming the preferred infrastructure alternatives. The recommended land use plan is to be endorsed by the CPT and is to form the basis for the preparation of the Demonstration Plan.

 

All alternative land use plans and infrastructure alternative solutions will be supported by corresponding studies relating to the environment, water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportation. The Guiding Principles developed in Step 2 will be used to develop the evaluation criteria for the alternatives.  Assessment and evaluation of the alternatives will involve the identification of the effects of alternatives based on a range of technical and environmental criteria and considerations.

 

Deliverables;

·              Three Design Workshops

·              Recommended Land Use Plan endorsed by CPT

·              Preliminary Preferred Alternative Solutions

 


Step 4 – Demonstration Plan and Detailed Design Guidelines-Phase 3 Class EA

In this step, the preferred Land Use Plan will be used as the basis for the preparation of the detailed Design Guidelines, alternative infrastructures designs and create a Demonstration Plan. The purpose of the Demonstration Plan is to illustrate at a finer level of detail how the Land Use Plan and infrastructure alternative solutions could develop in the future in accordance with the Design Guidelines.

 

Assessment and evaluation of the alternatives and Demonstration Plan will involve the identification of the effects of alternatives based on a range of technical and environmental criteria and considerations.  The Demonstration Plan will include such features as local roads and block patterns and all levels of municipal parks incorporating the preferred alternative designs.   The Demonstration Plan along with technical analysis will be distributed to the CPT, TAC, GRA and PAC for review and input.

 

The alternative infrastructure solutions selected and presented at the public workshop in Step 2 will be presented again at Open House #2 as well as the results of Step 3.  This Open House and TAC Meetings represent the second mandatory point of contact with the public and review agencies in accordance with the Municipal Class EA requirements. 

 

The Demonstration Plan will be used as a starting point for future site plan and draft plan of subdivision applications.  It is not to be viewed as the final detailed blueprint for the future development as it is anticipated that the CDP will be implemented over a number of years. As such, some flexibility in final subdivision and building design must be retained. Phasing and implementation of future development will be addressed in the CDP Addendums to the Class EAs may be required if there is a substantial change to the project or environmental setting of a project.  For example, a significant change to the location of the infrastructure, where negative impacts are anticipated should be planned in accordance with the Class EA addendum procedures. 

 

Design Guidelines are anticipated to address such matters as:

·              Community land use structure

·              Landscape Theme, Treatment and Maintenance

·              Open Space Systems including Parks and Recreation Facilities

·              Built Form and Streetscapes

 

The Demonstration Plan is to illustrate:

·              Land Use and Density

·              Transportation Systems (including roadways, transit, pathways, etc.)

·              Key Open Space, Parks and Natural Systems

·              Integration with Surrounding Areas/Communities

·              Major Infrastructure Facilities, which may impact community design, such as stormwater ponds or servicing corridors

 

The Demonstration Plan will be produced by the Consulting Team in consultation with the CPT. and analyzed to ensure the integration of detailed transportation and infrastructure servicing requirements, including the stormwater management system. It will also be assessed to ensure that it fulfills the intent of the previously determined Guiding Principles. The Demonstration Plan, as with the preferred Land Use Plan in Step 3, is to conform to the Master Plans and Studies forming part of the MEA Class EA process.

 

The Demonstration Plan will include visual maps/diagrams/illustrations and supporting documentation addressing land use planning and technical information and the selection of a preferred alternative concept plan and corresponding infrastructure (i.e., transportation, servicing, stormwater, environment, parks and open space).  Environmental impacts and mitigation measures associated with the infrastructure will be identified and well as any additional work or monitoring requirements.  The Demonstration Plan will also address the those matters identified in the November 9, 2005 City Council motion, including the integration and design of the new north-south arterial road to accommodate development within the study area, the preparation of a final phasing plan, examination of infrastructure and public amenity requirements and the ability to advance their construction through front-end financing.

 

It is the intent that the Demonstration Plan with supporting documentation will form the basis of the Final CDP produced in Step 5. 

 

The Demonstration Plan and Detailed Design Guidelines and supporting technical studies will be reviewed by the TAC, PAC and review agencies with an interest in the project. The impact assessment and evaluation will be documented and form the basis for the preliminary preferred infrastructure alternative concepts then brought to the second Open House for public comment.

 

Deliverables:

·              Demonstration Plan

·              Detailed Design Guidelines

 


Step 5 – Final Preparation of Community Design Plan- Phase 4 Class EA

The Fernbank CDP is to be a comprehensive document which will clearly illustrate achievement of the CDP’s Guiding Principles and conformance with the area subwatershed studies and MEA Class EA process. The CDP is to be produced by the Consulting Team in consultation with the CPT and include a primary land use planning document with a supporting land use plan, demonstration plan, and design guidelines. There will also be discipline-specific supporting documents, including: Transportation Master Plan, Infrastructure/Servicing Master Plan, Cultural Heritage and Environmental Management Plan(s), including the Carp River Restoration Plan (if required). Open Space System Plan and Parks and Recreation Plan supporting information will be included in either the main CDP document, or if warranted, as a specific supporting document.  The supporting documents will be prepared to a level of detail normally provided for Environmental Study Reports prepared in support of Municipal Class EA projects.  The supporting documents shall include information on the problem or opportunity, alternative solutions, alternative design concepts, preferred solution and design concept, consultation with the public and review agencies, decision-making process, and description of the proposed projects including the physical locations and physical dimensions of the projects, and their Class EA project schedules.

 

The CDP (Main Volume) is to include:

·              An overview of the planning process.

·              Summary of the Existing Conditions Report.

·              Guiding Principles.

·              CDP area-specific targets for Affordable Housing, Greenspace, and Transit Use, in conformity with Official Plan policies.  A summary table shall be included which indicates the number and mix of unit types proposed, net and gross areas, and commercial and retail floor space

·              Detailed Land Use Plan with Summary Table (including densities).

·              Demonstration Plan.

·              Design Guidelines.

·              Guidelines for Development Review.

·              Implementation and Phasing Plan, to include recommended policy changes, the content to be included in the Official Plan Amendment, direction on zoning provisions,  comments on the appeal and EA review processes, front-end financing.

 

Supporting Document – Transportation Master Plan:

·              Identify transportation: needs, alternative solutions, alternative designs, preferred alternatives, consultation and decision making process.

·              Identify required transportation infrastructure to support the CDP.

·              Address implementation phasing, and costing.

·              Implications and Integration of on-going and proposed environmental assessments for transportation infrastructure within and surrounding the Study Area.

·              Identify required pedestrian and cycling networks.

·              Transit strategy and goals.

·              Identify the need to advance transportation infrastructure as currently defined in Council’s Transportation Master Plan, with consideration of front-end financing opportunities, including coordination with any required revisions to the relevant Master Plan.

 

 

 


Supporting Document – Master Servicing Plan:

·              Identify water and wastewater: needs, alternative solutions, preferred alternatives, consultation and decision making process.

·              Identify water and wastewater management systems to implement to the CDP.

·              Identify servicing improvements which could be in addition to projects identified in the City of Ottawa Master Servicing Plan.

·              Identify the need to advance servicing infrastructure as currently defined in Council’s Water and Wastewater Management Master Plans, with consideration of front-end financing opportunities.

·              Address implementation, phasing, and costing, including coordination with any required revisions to the relevant Master Plans.

 

Supporting Document – Environmental Management Plan(s):

·              Identify environmental management: needs, alternative solutions, preferred alternatives, consultation and decision making process.

·              Environmental Management Plan for terrestrial and aquatic environments;

·              Identify stormwater management systems to implement the CDP

·              Identify natural environment consideration which are necessary to ensure that the CDP complies with the intent of the Jock River Sub-watershed Study (Reach 2) and Carp River Watershed/Subwatershed Study;

·              Carp River Restoration Plan (if required); and,

·              Open Space Master Plan, including design rationale guidelines for parks, recreational pathway network and linkages, natural and cultural resources, utility corridors, a phasing strategy, and explore opportunities for front-end financing.

 

Supporting Document – Draft Official Plan Amendment

A draft Official Plan Amendment will be prepared for review by the CPT and TAC to facilitate the implementation of the CDP.

 

The CDP, with supporting documentation, is to be reviewed by the CPT, government review agencies, TAC, PAC, following which it will be presented at the Public Open House #3.  Following TAC, government agency and PAC review and the third Public Open House, the CDP will be finalized and presented to the Planning and Environment Committee (the statutory public meeting under the Planning Act), followed by City Council.  Copies of the Notice of Study Completion and Official Plan Amendment Adoption will be provided in accordance with the Planning Act requirements for Official Plan Amendments, including government review agencies.  The Notice shall provide for a minimum 30 day for appeal period.

 

Deliverables:

·              Final Community Design Plan with supporting documents

·              Transportation Master Plan

·              Master Servicing Plan

·              Environmental Management Plan

·              Official Plan Amendment


 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A

Consultation Plan


Consultation Plan

 

Effective consultation and communications will play a key role in the success of the project. Broad access, effective information, and adequate opportunity and time for input are project goals.  The methods to achieve these goals are highlighted in this Consultation Plan.

 

Technical Consultation

 

Consultation with key City departments and Government Review Agencies will occur through regular contact and direction from a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and ongoing contact with Government Review Agencies (GRA). 

 

Technical Advisory Committee (“TAC”)

The TAC will include staff of the agencies/organizations involved in the project that have a technical interest in the project.  The role of the TAC will be: to identify planning and design issues early on in the study process to ensure they are addressed in a timely manner; to provide direction and guidance on all technical matters influencing the project; to assist in the evaluation of alternative solutions and selection of a preferred design; to review and comment on all technical reports provided during the course of the study; and to represent the varied interests of their particular agency, organization or provincial/municipal department.  The level of participation may vary depending on the role of the TAC representative.  For example, some government review agencies may not wish to attend meetings at the initial steps but would be involved in the details of the alternative designs, others may not wish to participate in the evaluation and selection of alternatives but only to provide a technical input.  The level of participation will be at the discretion of the agency/representative.  Meeting agendas will be distributed in advance to assist in determining if attendance/participation is required.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

The varied interests of stakeholders (i.e., Sponsoring Landowners, government agencies, approval bodies) will be represented on the TAC. The Committee will meet with the CPT on a regular basis to review work-to-date and provide comment/direction on study activities, as appropriate.  Draft reports will be made available to the TAC and other GRA that request the information throughout the study to facilitate understanding and to enable the Committee to provide meaningful feedback.  The TAC will also address the full range of technical issues and comment on the special studies required to complete the CDP and Environmental Assessment requirements. Details regarding the roles and responsibilities of the TAC are outlined below.

 

The TAC Members will:

·         represent the interests of their organization/agency;

·         attend TAC meetings;

·         participate in the process by providing technical input and advice;

·         work towards a consensus for actions and approvals for project milestones; and

·         disseminate information to the organization/agency they represent.     

 

Administration

·         The TAC will be co-chaired by the Fernbank CDP Project Managers (Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Limited and the City of Ottawa)

·         Meetings will be held at the discretion of the Chairs

·         The Chairs will be responsible for ensuring adequate notification to members of upcoming meetings, meeting agendas, and the overall conduct of meetings

·         Materials and draft reports will be provided to all TAC members in advance of scheduled meetings

 

The Meeting Notes will be prepared by the Consulting Team and circulated for review and approval following each meeting.

 

Meetings will not generally be open to the public.  The general public will have opportunities to review and comment on the study progress and outcomes at Public Open Houses scheduled at key points in the study.

 

Government Review Agencies (GRA)

The proponent is responsible for ensuring that review agency consultation is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class EA.  Review agencies with an interest in the project shall be provided with copies of all notices prepared for the project and requested to provide input and comments during phases 2, 3 and 4 or the Class EA process.  This consultation shall be over and above invitations to TAC meetings, and shall include all provincial and federal ministries and agencies with an interest in the project (not limited to agencies listed as participants in the TAC). 

 

GRA representatives may also be invited to sit as regular members of the TAC.  The level of participation may vary depending on the role of the GRA.  For example, some government review agencies may not wish to attend meetings at the initial steps but would be involved in the details of the alternative designs, others may not wish to participate in the evaluation and selection of alternatives but only to provide a technical input.  The level of participation will be at the discretion of the agency/representative.  TAC meeting agendas will be distributed in advance to assist in determining if attendance/participation is required.

 

 

Public Advisory Committee (“PAC”)

The varied interests of stakeholders (i.e., community associations, non-sponsoring landowners/users and special interest groups) will be represented on the Public Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC will meet and collaborate with the study team on a regular and more informal basis to assist in establishing the guiding principles of the CDP, review work-to-date, and provide comment/direction on study activities, as appropriate.  Progress reports will be made available throughout the study to facilitate understanding and to enable the Committee to provide meaningful feedback.  Details regarding the roles and responsibilities of the PAC are outlined below.

 

The PAC Working Members will:

·                     represent the interests of local residents, community associations and business associations and interest groups in the study area;

·                     attend every PAC meeting

·                     participate in the evaluation of alternatives by offering advice, expressing opinions, and providing local knowledge;

·                     disseminate information to the association/organization they represent; and

·                     become informed and involved in the process

 

Administration

·                     The PAC will be chaired by the Fernbank CDP Project Managers (Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Limited and the City of Ottawa)

·                     Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Limited in coordination with the City will be responsible for ensuring adequate notification to members of upcoming meetings, meeting agendas, and the overall conduct of meetings.

·                     The meeting notes will be prepared by the Consulting Team and circulated for review and approval following each meeting.

·                     Materials and draft reports will be provided to all TAC members in advance of scheduled meetings

 

Meetings will not generally be open to the public.  The general public will have opportunities to review and comment on the study progress and outcomes at Public Open Houses scheduled at key points in the study work program.

 

Integrated Planning Notice Requirements and Consultation

Under the proposed integrated planning process, the public consultation and notice requirements of both the Municipal Engineer’s Association Class Environmental Assessment (“Class EA”) and the Planning Act will be adhered to.  The Sponsoring Landowners will be responsible for coordinating with the Consulting Team Project Manager and the City to schedule public meetings and workshops and to implement notice requirements. 

 

The Environmental Assessments will be “integrated” with a Planning Act approval (Official Plan Amendment), and the requirements of section A.2.9 of the Class EA must be met in terms of public and review agency notification and consultation, and documentation; appeal will be to the Ontario Municipal Board rather than the Minister of the Environment (approach # 4).

 

It must be clear to the public and review agencies at the outset of the Class EA process and in public notices:

·          which approach will be followed for each of the infrastructure Master Plan and which Class EA phases will be completed;

·          future assessments and/or Class EA work that will be need to be completed prior to construction;

·          final notification of completion of schedule B and C projects will be done at the same time and in the same notice as the final notification of completion of the Master Plans and the final notice for the Planning Act Approval,

·          Opportunities for consultation in the future,

·          Opportunities for appeal.

 

Notices will also be provided to the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch (EAAB), with a brief summary of how the Master Plan followed the Class EA requirements. This information is required for tracking purposes, to monitor the effectiveness of the Master Plan approach.

 

Each published notice shall state that the notice and corresponding public meeting are intended to meet the requirements of both the Municipal Class EA process and the Planning Act, and that the Municipal Class EA process will be integrated with the Planning Act approval in accordance with section A.2.9 of the Municipal Class EA.  The notice shall provide information on the Planning Act approval to be obtained (Official Plan Amendment) and the infrastructure to be approved under the Planning Act through the integration process. 

 

The Class EA notice requirements differ from those of the Planning Act as they require notification throughout the process for the purposes of encouraging consultation on options and decisions.  The type of consultation under the Class EA is left up to the proponent while under the Planning Act; one public meeting would be required for the purposes of an Official Plan Amendment.  Notices shall identify the infrastructure projects that will be implemented under the OPA and supporting Master Plans. Notice shall specify that concerns about the OPA and the proposed infrastructure shall be to the OMB.

 

A web-site will be prepared by the Sponsoring Landowners and will provide notices of upcoming meetings as described in the Detailed Work Program (Table 1), and post final deliverables such as reports, the demonstration plan and alternative land use plans, and design guidelines.

 


DOCUMENT 2

 

STUDY AREA                                                                                                                                  

 



[1]               Currently, the Carp River Watershed/Subwatershed Study has been adopted by Council and the Jock River Reach 2 Subwatershed Study has been commenced.