GCA Board Meeting Minutes

 

Tuesday, February 23, 7:00 p.m.
via Zoom

 

Chair: Laura Smith

Secretary and Timekeeper: Sheryl Lattimore

 

Board members present: Laura Smith, Bob Brocklebank, Dan Chook Reid, June Creelman, John Crump, Jennifer Humphries, Carol MacLeod, Steph Small, Sheryl Lattimore, Angus McCabe, Vaughn Guy, Christina Honeywell, Carolyn Mackenzie, Rochelle Handelman, Anthony Carricato, Elizabeth Ballard, Judy Wilson, Kate Reeki, Bill Price, Silvia Grandi, Elspeth Tory

 

Others present: Shawn Menard, Jonathan McLeod, Liz McKeen, Jay Miller,Carmen Sanchez, Neil MacKinnon, Cassandra Church, Jane Bower

 

Opening Remarks

Laura Smith opened the meeting with an Indigenous reconciliation acknowledgment and welcomed guests to the meeting.

 

Approval of the Agenda and Minutes

The approval of the agenda was moved by Angus McCabe and seconded by Silvia Grandi. The approval of the minutes was moved by Rochelle Handleman and seconded by Carolyn Mackenzie. The agenda was amended to move the Report for the Councillor to later in the agenda.  Both the minutes and the agenda were approved.

 

Committee reports, motions, Q&A

 

Environment Committee

 

Motion 1: Support of Councillors’ Resolution Opposing Chalk River Nuclear Waste Facility 

 

Whereas privately owned Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is moving forward with a plan to build a massive permanent, radioactive waste mound next to the Ottawa River, the source of our drinking water;

 

Whereas CNL is also moving forward with a plan to entomb the Rolphton Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) reactor and its nuclear components in grout and concrete, less than 200 metres from the Ottawa River;

 

Whereas the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says entombment is not an acceptable strategy for decommissioning nuclear waste;

 

Whereas the Ottawa Riverkeeper, the Ottawa River Institute, the Ottawa Chapter of the Council of Canadians, the Coalition Against Nuclear Dumps on the Ottawa River and the Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area are opposed to the plans for the mound and the entombment, and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment has expressed serious concerns, and all are urging the government to develop a policy on nuclear waste disposal and to adhere to IAEA standards;

 

Whereas The Assembly of First Nations and more than 140 municipalities, including Gatineau and the entire Montreal region, have passed resolutions opposing or expressing deep concern about the plans for Chalk River;

Whereas both the mound and the entombment pose serious risks to our drinking water and therefore to our health;

 

Whereas City Councillors Theresa Kavanagh and Catherine McKenney are putting forward a motion to the City’s Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management Committee (EPWWM), which, if approved by the Committee at their March 30, 2021 meeting, will go to City Council for final approval (Councillors’ Notice of Motion appears below);

 

Whereas Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) supports the Kavanagh/McKenney motion;

 

Be it resolved that that the GCA write a letter to the Mayor (copied to all Councillors) expressing our concern, that Ottawans are directly affected stakeholders, and urging the Mayor to represent Ottawans’ interests at all relevant fora and to support the motion by Kavanagh/McKenney to this effect.

 

Be it resolved that the GCA bring this concern to the attention of residents in the GCA newsletter, sharing the GCA letter to the Mayor, and including information on how to show their individual support through the Council of Canadians Ottawa Chapter form letter or by sending their personal letter to the Mayor.

 

Be it resolved that the GCA ask our Federation of Citizens’ Associations (FCA) representatives Angela Keller-Herzog and Robert Brocklebank to bring our position to the attention of the FCA and ask them to write a letter to the Mayor.

 

Jennifer Humphries presented the motion for approval.  The motion was moved by Jennifer Humpries and seconded by Carol Macleod.  All GCA committee members present voted to approve the motion, none opposed. 

 

Motion 2: Sponsorship of March 31 online event: Can the Doughnut Save Ottawa? 

 

WHEREAS Doughnut Economics is a concept originated by Kate Raworth, in which human life on Earth is conceived of as two concentric rings — a minimum social foundation to ensure that no one is missing out on life’s essentials, and ecological ceiling ensuring that we live within planetary boundaries — and that these concentric rings form the doughnut – a space where humanity can thrive; and   

 

WHEREAS progressive cities in Europe and the U.S. are engaging with this approach to municipal planning, with Amsterdam being the first city to formally adopt Doughnut Economics as the city’s model for a post-COVID-19 Recovery in April 2020; and 

 

WHEREAS Ecology Ottawa and Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) are co-sponsoring an online event on March 31, 2021 focused on how Ottawa might engage with Doughnut thinking, with speakers from the Doughnut Economics Action Lab and the Amsterdam Doughnut Coalition, and are seeking co-sponsors;

 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Glebe Community Association co-sponsor this event, which would entail having our name and logo included in event materials, no financial obligation, and an understanding that we publicize the event through our networks.  

 

Kate Reekie presented the motion for approval.  The motion was moved by Kate Reekie and seconded by June Creelman.  All GCA committee members present voted to approve the motion, none opposed. 

 

Planning Committee

 

Motion 3: 30-48 CHAMBERLAIN AVENUE Rezoning Application 

 

Background

  • Whereas a rezoning application has been submitted for a building that would include a 3 storey “podium”, with a “slim point tower” (slim = roughly the half the footprint of the podium),  rising to 16 storeys;
  • Whereas current zoning on the proposed site at Chamberlain Avenue allows for 4 storeys;
  • Whereas after two years of significant consultation between the City and community stakeholders for which the GCA is both appreciative and supportive, the Bank Street Height & Character Study  includes recommendations for a maximum of 6 storeys on this site;
  • Whereas a Staff Report is being prepared by the City in preparation of this file going to the City’s Planning Committee and formal comments are due;

 

Let it be resolved that the GCA Board support formal comments be provided to the City that:

  • The community supports intensification in this area – Bank St study recommendations for height and massing would already achieve well beyond the City’s minimum density targets
  • The Bank Street Height & Character Study recommendations (“Bank St study”) allow for significant intensification on this property, to support the City’s achievement of Provincial objectives and Ottawa’s Growth Management Plan. 
  • Specifically, we note that roughly 80-90 additional units could be added here, while respecting study recommendations.  This number of units would translate to a density level of 400 dwelling units/hectare, far exceeding the City’s minimum density targets 80 DUs/hectare in the draft Official Plan for the Inner Urban area.  
  • The proponent claims that “through proposing increased residential density in the form of a well-designed and slender point-tower on the edge of the established Glebe neighbourhood, the proposal achieves intensification, which is a key objective of the Official Plan”.  This implies that the design proposed in the submission is a way of achieving required intensification, without any acknowledgement that a 6 storey building would more than achieve this same objective, as explained above.  This is highly misleading.  In the alternative, the proponent appears to be asserting that this application should be supported because while they both achieve intensification objectives, more is always better when it comes to development. 
  • This community would welcome new residents to a 6 storey building on this site through appropriate levels of intensification.  We welcome regeneration of this street with appropriate consideration of site plan elements.  
  • In support of this intensification, the GCA urges the City to commit to accelerating the reconfiguration of Chamberlain Avenue to encourage greater walkability in this area (and by extension, reduced reliance on cars/parking). In the words of the Draft Official Plan, for the neighbourhood to “keep pace” with intensification.

 

The proponent has not made a successful case for how this would be a net improvement to the surrounding area and/or in the public interest:

  • The community appreciates the effort that the proponent has invested in reaching out to the Community.  We have listened to the proponent’s rationale for why this request for 16 storeys on this site should be viewed as presenting a net gain to residents and to the community at large.  However, for the reasons below, the large majority of residents remain unconvinced, and are strongly opposed to this application.
  • Further, the GCA and other stakeholders have invested significant energy and resources in the Bank St study, which we support.  The study included this property for good reasons, including its mixed use zoning status that is similar to properties on Bank Street, as well as its inclusion in the Glebe BIA.  Any idea that this property be removed from the study would be an unwelcome attempt to diminish the policy support for a maximum of 6 storeys that the study provides.  If allowed, the City will be inviting deep cynicism in the community engagement process.

 

Specific concerns include the following: 

  • A 16 storey high-rise form is out of character with mature/established 2-3 storey residential to the south.
  • While properties to the southwest end of this lot may experience less shadowing, the shadow impacts on properties to the southeast (in closer proximity to the slim point tower) are significant, as are shadow impacts on Bank Street and in fact, even properties to the east of Bank Street.
  • Overlook of upper storeys on Roseberry residents is not appropriate – this might be mitigated in part during part of the year by tree canopy on resident properties (i.e. canopy provides a “shield” from views), but for many months of the year this is not the case. Further, the building as proposed does not provide sufficient stepbacks to the rear above 3rd floor podium to reduce primary overlook concerns.
  • Increased traffic congestion/circulation issues – this is a particularly sensitive area given commuter vehicular traffic and foot traffic along Chamberlain to get downtown as well as to Glashan school on north side of the Queensway.  Adding vehicles, as well as entrances and exits, must be done with special care, particularly toward safety issues given the property’s proximity to the crossing area, high speeds, and multiple lanes of traffic.

 

In summary, for the reasons above, we regret that we must object to this application.

 

Additionally:

  • The GCA strongly encourages the City to commit to accelerating plans to rework Chamberlain Ave so it is more pedestrian/bike friendly and better able to absorb future intensification along this street.  This is key to ensuring the livability and walkability of these new units.
  • The GCA strongly encourages the City to explore opportunities for (more) affordable housing within this property and other large plots in the neighbourhood. 

 

Carolyn Mackenzie presented the motion for approval.  The motion was moved by Carolyn Mackenzie and seconded by Stephanie Small.  All GCA committee members present voted to approve the motion, none opposed. 

 

Motion 4: 178 – 200 ISABELLA STREET Rezoning Application 

 

Background

  • Whereas a rezoning application has been submitted for a 16 storey mixed use residential building;
  • Whereas current zoning on the proposed site on Isabella Street allows for 23.5m maximum height or roughly 7 storeys;
  • Whereas after two years of significant consultation between the City and community stakeholders for which the GCA is both appreciative and supportive, the Bank Street Height & Character Study  includes recommendations for a maximum of 57 m or roughly 16 storeys on this site – that overall height being in keeping with the City’s overall highrise guidelines;
  • Whereas it is understood that this file is still to go to the City’s Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP) for comment – but providing comments at this point are useful to the process;

 

Thereby, let it be resolved that the GCA Board support the following comments be provided to the City:

  • The application needs more attention to the 1st/2nd storey treatment at street level to be able to properly understand how the building is intended to interface with the street.  The GCA would like to see a very high level of design that promotes a welcoming/pedestrian/active environment, rather than any replication of the very hard, unfriendly edges of the Queensway, which in itself poses a psychological barrier to walking along this street and/or north from the Glebe.
  • Although the building will generally respect a 45 degree angle from Pretoria Avenue, the overall massing and articulation of the building should be better considered to reduce the visual impacts (i.e. reduce the sense of a “wall” being created along the northern edge of Glebe), as well as to increase the overall visual attractiveness of the building.   
  • The ramp at the rear to underground parking, green though it is, takes up most of the 7.5m setback, and importantly, means no possibility of planting trees to provide canopy and buffer to the residential to the south (see image below). This requires greater mitigation.
  • The GCA seeks clarification that there is sufficient room along the full length of the proposed property to support (high canopy) trees in future as per the drawings that were provided?  This is a significant priority for the community and important to support transition and mitigate privacy concerns for residents. We note that the City’s draft Official Plan sets a 40% target for tree canopy.
  • Vehicular noise at east end of building where entrance/exits are located will be amplified by hard surfaces and lack of sound barrier to the residential lots to the south.  A “green screen” could be designed to reduce possibility of sound transfer to the south of building.

 

Carolyn Mackenzie presented the motion for approval.  The motion was moved by Carolyn Mackenzie and seconded by Jennifer Humphries.  The following two friendly amendments were proposed to be added to the above motion:

 

  • The GCA welcomes information on how the proposed development will reflect a low-carbon or net-zero carbon footprint approach, including alignment with the City of Ottawa’s proposed High Performance Development Standard.
  • The GCA strongly encourages the City to explore opportunities for (more) affordable housing within this property and other large plots in the neighbourhood.

 

All GCA committee members present voted to approve the amended motion, none opposed. 

 

Health, Housing and Social Services Committee

Dan provided an update on those impacted by the Watford House fire on Powell Avenue.  Cassandra Church, who helped lead the Go Fund Me campaign, also gave an overview of the distribution of funds raised. 

 

Membership Committee

Silvia Grandi and Carol MacLeod provided an update on this year’s membership campaign.  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee intends to continue an online membership campaign in lieu of the traditional door-to-door campaign.  However, the Membership Committee is concerned that this approach is not a successful recruitment strategy citing that memberships are currently down about 50 percent.  This issue will be raised at the next Membership Committee meeting and the Committee welcomes any ideas to improve the outcome of this year’s membership campaign.

 

Updates

 

City of Ottawa Official Plan

 

Carolyn MacKenzie reported that a special meeting of the GCA Board will take place on March 2, 2021, to develop comments on the Official Plan to share with the City of Ottawa.  This meeting would be open to the public and form the basis for the GCA’s response.

 

Items for the Executive

 

Guidelines on e-votes

 

June Creelman proposed some guidelines to govern the use of e-votes within the GCA.  GCA Board members are encouraged to share any additional views they have on this issue with June, prior to the presentation of a motion on e-votes at the    March 2021 GCA Board meeting.

 

Report from the Councillor

Shawn Menard provided an update on the Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan and school screening processes; traffic calming in the Glebe; Lansdowne sponsors groups; Aberdeen Pavilion; the closure of Queen Elizabeth Drive; and the Bank Street bridge.

 

President’s Report

Laura Smith gave an update on bistro near Patterson Creek; Gateway signage in the Glebe; and, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative.

 

Issues from the Community

No issues were raised.

 

Other Business

No issues were raised.  

 

Adjournment 

The motion to adjourn was moved by Robert Brocklebank and seconded by Bill Price.