Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee

Development Proposal Review, Riverside South Development

RECOMMENDATION

OFGAC supports the proposed amendment from General Urban to Urban Natural Features for the Spratt Road WOODLOT. OFGAC supports that the Spratt Road woodlot be maintained in its natural state and not be used for active parkland purposes. This woodlot, a hardwood deciduous forest, is very rich in terms of native species and biodiversity; they will contribute to preserving the natural habitat of the Ottawa area. OFGAC recommends that in order to support the Official Plan objective for 30% tree cover, applications for subdivision or site plan approval will be supported by a tree preservation and protection plan and a landscape planting plan, to retain as much natural vegetation as possible.

OFGAC applauds the PROPOSED AMENDMENT to identify the significant Spratt Road Woodlot, of 37 acres, within the Urban Natural Features DESIGNATION. There are very few such remnant woodlots so close to the downtown core. We cannot grow these again, or at least not for a very long time. The Niblett Environmental Associates' Significant Woodlot Study Update, May 2004, reiterated that this woodlot (identified as W1) as significant along with W3, W3, W15, W16 and W39.

As per the Official Plan Section 2, Strategic Directions : " Ensure that future development preserves Ottawa's Greenspace Network and extends it by identifying new natural features and linkages... " The Spratt Road Woodlot is a lovely bit of woods and well worth preserving for the residents of Ottawa. This is a positive step for the City of Ottawa, to increase new natural features within the city.

The Planning & Growth Management Department has put forth the 'Official Plan Amendment Proposal' for the Riverside South Community remaining woodlot and two employment areas. The Concept Plan for the Riverside South Community had the employment area to the north-east of the development mostly and had the remaining woodlot only as greenspace without designation.

The Amendment Proposal Summary calls for : two sites affected by a proposed change from Employment to General Urban, and the woodlot (South of Earl Armstrong and West of Spratt Rd) subject to a proposed amendment from General Urban to Urban Natural Features.

The woodlot West of Spratt Road is comprised of 37 acres, was identified in an environmental study dated May 2004, as being significant woodlot. The purpose of the proposed amendment to the Spratt Road site is to identify the significant woodlot within the Urban Natural Features designation. The redesignation reflects the intent of the Community Design Plan design to maintain significant woodlots. There are very few such remnant woodlots like the Spratt Road woodlot, with its relatively untouched nature and rich understory, make it an excellent candidate for this woodlot to be maintained in its natural state and not be used for active parkland purposes. The hardwood deciduous forest consists of a dominant canopy and understory trees, mainly white ash, sugar maple, beech, white elm, silver maple, red maple and basswood. It consists of a diverse understory and ground that is well populated with woodland wildflowers - including trillium, cohosh, wild ginger, foamflower - ferns, sedges, and mosses. The groundcover represents numerous regionally significant plant species (see photos SW3 and SW4 noted in APPENDIX 1).

There are large trees and shrubs on the site, some of which are mature hedgerows between former farm fields. We suggest that the trees and other vegetation on the site be preserved and that the development be designed around them rather than ignoring there presence and destroying them. We recommend that the areas of existing trees and other vegetation be preserved within the local neighbourhood and district parks and on school grounds.

The proposed amendment to change the "Employment area" to "General Urban" is located to the northwest and to the southwest of the intersection of Limebank Road and Earl Armstrong Road. The majority of this space is non-forested land in the form of cropland, pastureland, and field.

ACTION STEPS

• Establish the method by which the existing natural features will be protected from over-use by humans.
• Ensure provisions for the maintaining of suitable watertable, grading and drainage are mandated for the preservation of the significant woodlots and mature significant trees. Ensure policies related to tree saving, slope protection and significant changes in elevation are adhered to as specified in the Official Plan.
• Ensure that the development applications inlcude plans indicating the location of existing treed areas, wetland areas, rock outcrops and significant changes in elevation.
• Encourage this development to unfold in a way that preserves natural features such as individual mature trees, woodlands, wetlands, meadows etc.
• Ensure adequate set-back and buffer zone between natural features (significant woodlots and mature significant trees) and urban development including roadways. Identify managing techniques to deal with surface drainage adjacent to natural features, soft edges for wetlands, wet meadows, and moist forests, and for the protection of woodland edges. Determine how the transition zone will be managed and inform OFGAC.
• Ensure that vegetative cover is preserved and where removal cannot be avoided, that a member of OFGAC be consulted prior to the removal.
• Identify the existing natural features on the subject land, document them and integrated these into the overall design. Determine which stands of trees being retained and outline measures for their protection during construction and over the long term.
• We suggest referencing the Existing Inventory of significant trees and wooded area in the Riverside South Community, prepared by OFGAC in 2003, and presented to City of Ottawa planner in December 2003. The inventory identified mature red maple and cedar trees in the business park/employment area of the proposed CDP for Riverside South. The inventory report included a location map and photographs (see note 2). Whether the land is used for business or residential purposes, the mature trees and shrubs itemized in the inventory report should be considered and integrated into the overall design concept plan. Every precaution should be taken to assure the survival of the preserved trees and shrubs during pre-construction, construction and post-construction periods.
• Preserve the three major woodlots (W1, W2, W5 and W3) and smaller wooded areas identified as (W10 with S6 & S7, W30 & W35 to W38, W14 to W16 and W39, W6 & W7) in the Niblett Study and, as REFERENCED IN OFGAC's REVIEW REPORT of the said study.
• Take the necessary precautions to link green spaces (parks, woodlots, light rail corridor, storm water areas/ponds, pedestrian links, open greenspaces to form a contiguous line throughout the proposed development. Ensure that the natural areas are linked with continuous green-ways for people to walk or bike from one place to another. Connect the green spaces and recreational spaces (active and passive).

  NOTES

  1. APPENDIX 1: Photos of some significant trees and woodlots in the future Riverside South Community.
  2. APPENDIX 2: Map of the Riverside South Community showing location of significant trees and woodlots was presented to Chris Brouwer, planner with the City of Ottawa on December 23, 2003 complete with colored photographs.
  3. APPENDIX 3: OFGAC review of Niblett Study Update, submitted to the City of Ottawa 23 February 2004.