APPROVED MINUTES

GCA Board Meeting Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Glebe Community Centre – Preschool Room

Chair: John Crump, President
Secretary and timekeeper: Janet Sutherland

Participating Board members: John Crump, Elizabeth Ballard, Bob Brocklebank, Dan Chook Reid, June Creelman, Maggie Gorman Velez, Rochelle Handelman, Angela Keller-Herzog, David Kelly, Deborah Long, Carol MacLeod, Angus McCabe, Matt Meagher, Laura Smith, Janet Sutherland, William Price, Catherine Waters, Della Wilkinson.

Regrets: Colette Downie; Martha Bowers, Dan Chook Reid, Laurent Carbonneau, Anthony Carricato, Maggie Gorman Velez, Vaughn Guy, Christina Honeywell-Dobbin, Carolyn Mackenzie, Genevieve McInnes, Janna Rinaldi, James Stuewe, Elspeth Tory, Judy Wilson.

Community Members: Jamie Brougham, Dave Coyle, Debbie Love, Evan Potter.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Vice President June Creelman opened the meeting on behalf of John Crump and welcomed Board members and members of the community in attendance. She confirmed that a quorum of members was in attendance and delivered a land acknowledgement.

Consent Agenda

The meeting agenda and minutes of January 23, 2024 were approved by consensus.

President John Crump arrived to welcome City Councillor Shawn Menard and invited him to provide his update.

Report from the City Councillor’s Office – Shawn Menard

  • Lansdowne – Council received a memo today re: the parameters of the ‘sprint’ audit that will be performed throughout the process by the Auditor General. The initial scope will be completed by April 2024 with the report going to the Finance Committee which will deal with the procurement process in April also. There is a sequencing issue in that procurement should be taking place after the audit is completed. There is no update on the RFP. He noted that the Auditor General will also review the prior year’s financial aspects. The AG report will go to City staff, then the Audit Committee, and then Council for discussion.
  • City Surveys – the idling bylaw survey closes on March 8th, the results of which will be reviewed by the Energy/Protection Services Committee. A survey on private snowplow contractors (and where they put snow) is online until March 31st.
  • Advertising on City property and facilities that represents advocacy will be dealt with by the Finance Committee on March 5th where a motion will be presented to phase out fossil fuel advertising. The financial impact is low (approximately $5K).  There are not many examples in Canada where this has been done.
  • Active Transportation Study – a meeting was held re: improvements to Bank Street, which is not ‘shared’ well at present. Matt Meagher attended on behalf of the GCA and there will be further consultation with the Glebe BIA. There are lots of options under consideration and a pilot could be ready by 2025.

In the question period that followed the following items were noted:

  • Carol MacLeod asked about the possibility of traffic calming installations on Fourth Avenue
  • Angela Keller-Herzog asked about the potential of a public-private partnership for the City’s new incinerator, suggesting more consideration on the ownership model for waste management. Shawn indicated no decision has been made yet.
  • Concern was raised regarding the loss of parking at Lansdowne for Abbotsford House and Glebe Centre staff and volunteers. Shawn has asked for remediation by City staff but there has been no follow up yet.

John Crump thanked Shawn for attending the meeting and providing these updates.

MOTIONS:

  1. Membership Committee

 Whereas the proposed Budget for 2024 Membership Campaign includes:

  • Printing ink, paper for block sheets $200
  • Publicity, printing, posters, President’s letter, canvas instructions $200
  • An ad in the Glebe Report $200
  • Online membership system (excluding per use fee) $100
  • For a total of $700;

Be it resolved that the GCA Board authorize the Membership Committee to spend up to $700 for the 2024 membership campaign.

MOVED/SECONDED: Carole MacLeod/Della Wilkinson. Carried. MOTION APPROVED.

  1. Environment Committee

Whereas Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES Ottawa) works to reduce waste, protect parks and greenspace, increase our urban forests and promotes 15-minute neighbourhoods; and

Whereas membership in CAFES Ottawa benefits the GCA by providing a network that supports effective environmental action at the municipal level towards creating and safeguarding a healthier and more livable city; therefore

Be it resolved that the GCA approve $100.00 to renew our annual membership in CAFES Ottawa (Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability) for the period March 2024 to February 2024.

MOVED/SECONDED: Della Wilkinson/Carole MacLeod. Carried. MOTION APPROVED.

3. Transportation Committee

Whereas the GCA Transportation Committee has a mandate to promote active transportation safety within the Glebe; and

Whereas the Committee obtained an Infrastructure Canada grant to permit the

GCA to engage a professional consulting firm, Momentum Transport Consultancy, to complete a study on opportunities to improve active transportation within the Glebe; and

Whereas Momentum Transport Consultancy conducted the study, incorporating input obtained through a public survey, a public open house, a stakeholders’ consultation and neighbourhood walkabouts that engaged a wide range of different constituencies within the Glebe; and

Whereas Momentum produced a report dated October 31, 2023 entitled “Glebe Active Transportation Study Action Plan”, which is based on the various inputs obtained through its consultation process and identifies a series of potential active transportation projects that may be pursued by the GCA; and

Whereas the GCA Transportation Committee plans to use the Action Plan to inform future positions on any specified projects;

Be it resolved that the GCA adopts the Glebe Active Transportation Study Action Plan prepared by Momentum as a framework for future planning and consultation.

MOVED/SECONDED: Matt Meagher/June Creelman. Carried (1 abstention). MOTION APPROVED.

  1. Transportation Committee

Whereas the tripartite Bronson Team has identified a number of potential solutions to Bronson traffic safety issues that the City could implement immediately, and

Whereas two of these potential solutions are the installation of permanent photo radar, and permanent red light cameras, and

Whereas the Bronson Team’s recent survey of the level of community agreement with potential immediate solutions indicated a high level of agreement with these potential solutions, and

Whereas we understand Councillor Shawn Menard has recently requested that the City install permanent photo radar and a permanent red light camera on Bronson when the City is considering the next iteration of such installations,

Be it resolved that the GCA President email Councillor Menard supporting his efforts to have the City install traffic calming measures, including permanent photo radar and red light camera, on Bronson Avenue.

MOVED/SECONDED: Matt Meagher/Catherine Waters. Carried. MOTION APPROVED.

 

  1. Parks Committee – Endorsing Old Ottawa East Community Association’s efforts

Whereas urban parks and other green spaces provide joy, peace, health, and wonder for all community residents; and

Whereas the creation, protection, and stewardship of such precious amenities contribute to the achievement of other meaningful goals like natural habitat preservation, restorative healing forests and reconciliation, and meeting the City of Ottawa and Canada’s goal of a Carbon Neutral 2050; and

Whereas the Glebe Community Association (GCA) is supportive of any efforts to preserve and enhance green spaces in the city, particularly those within or close to the inner urban and downtown core, where parkland per capita is already in a deficit vis-a-vis the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan target of 4.0 ha of total green space (i.e., natural land and open space and leisure land) for every 1000 residents; and

Whereas the National Capital Commission (NCC) is looking to establish a new urban park in Ottawa, and the federal government, through Parks Canada, launched in 2021 a $130 million project to create a network of national urban parks, and is now searching for a proper location on NCC land in Ottawa; and

Whereas a local effort is being undertaken by the Old Ottawa East Community Association, to advocate to establish Hurdman Park (on the east side of the Rideau River, south of the 417 Highway and north of the George McIlraith Bridge (Main St. to Smyth Rd)) as an urban national park (and/or part of a larger urban national park) and has sent a letter to the GCA asking it to support this effort; and

Whereas the unique nature of this forested park, with its depth from the river, could be part of a broader vision to connect other existing greenspaces all along the north-south Rideau River corridor and east-west linkages from Flora Bridge to Alta Vista, similar to the Rouge National Urban Park in the GTA;

Therefore be it resolved that the GCA offers its endorsement of the Old Ottawa East Community Association’s efforts to establish Hurdman Park as a national park (and/or part of a larger urban national park) as it moves forward with this initiative.

MOVED/SECONDED: Angus McCabe/Elizabeth Ballard. Carried. MOTION APPROVED.

  1. Planning Committee re: permission to allow office use in 617-625 street front units

Whereas an existing 4-storey mixed use building with 4 commercial/retail units at grade and residential in upper 3 storeys is located at 617-625 Bank St (between Patterson and Strathcona on the east side of the street).

Whereas the City has received a proposal to permit “office use” within 6 metres of front wall of the existing mixed-use building, where the ground/street front units have direct access to Traditional Mainstreet.

Whereas Bank Street’s “Traditional Mainstreet” zoning allows uses that are intended to ensure active streetfronts, to encourage pedestrian traffic and a vibrant streetscape. 

Whereas the prohibition against office use in the street front reflects a concern that such a use will reduce street level interest and animation.

Whereas the by-law also includes the requirement for 50% of street/front wall to be transparent glazing, so that passersby are able to see into storefronts, and yet the City appears unable to enforce the intent of the by-law when windows are simply covered up/over.

Whereas the rationale provided by the applicant is based on assumptions in relation to the existing condition of the street (insufficient pedestrian traffic), rather than planned future intent (a more intensified street with more foot traffic), granting “permanent” permission for this use, on this basis, is not appropriate.

Whereas the GCA understands that the City is inclined to grant the permission for the office use to Domicile, with a requirement that for window glazing be increased from 50% to 100%.

Whereas Planning staff acknowledge that the City is unable to enforce the intent of windows being transparent/unobstructed given current wording of the by-law when tenants cover windows in posters, drapes/blinds, etc. rendering the 100% requirement essentially “toothless”.

Whereas the City is currently undertaking a Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review (CZBLR), a first draft being expected in March 2024, with a final version for Council approval expected in Q4 2025, which will include zoning considerations for Mainstreet Corridors.

Therefore, be it resolved that:

 The GCA write to the City to indicate strong interest in promoting vibrant Mainstreet Corridors that are part of developing and maintaining 15 minute Neighbourhoods, and accordingly, have a clear interest in the success of all Mainstreet Corridor landlords and tenants.

The GCA seeks to work with the development community and the City to develop solutions to challenges faced by Mainstreet landlords/tenants.  However, the GCA submits that the CZBLR currently underway is the appropriate venue to consider the issues raised by this application.  This is due to the fact that they have applicability to all Mainstreet Corridors across the City, there is no apparent urgency, and permission should not be granted on an exception basis. 

Further, that the GCA propose that the following elements be considered regarding any review of potential office use on Mainstreets:

  • Increased % glazing beyond 50% currently required – BUT, language must enable the by-law to actually be enforced. Otherwise, the requirement is essentially meaningless and does not address key concerns regarding office use.  To note, transparent glazing rendered non-transparent resulting from posters, films, window coverings, etc. are a perennial issue that needs to be addressed as it applies to all Mainstreet Corridor uses.
  • Allow office use for a prescribed maximum percentage (50%?) of storefronts, to address concerns that office uses may become dominant tenant in future and put Mainstreet vibrancy at risk.
  • Allow office use on a temporary basis: For example, permission for a 10 year period, in keeping with typical 5 yr. initial lease + 5 yr. option period, with City review at year 8/9 for decision within 90 days, review to be based on achievement of agreed density thresholds being met in surrounding area (ie. a verifiable metric rather than qualitative assessment that could be seen as arbitrary).

MOVED/SECONDED: Bob Brocklebank/June Creelman. MOTION DEFEATED.

Replacement Motion from the floor:

 In response to 617 Bank Street’s request regarding zoning, be it resolved that the GCA write to the City advising them to reject the request on the basis of the current bylaw, or, to delay the decision until the new bylaw is in place.

MOVED/SECONDED:  June Creelman/Carol MacLeod. Carried (1 opposed). MOTION APPROVED.

[POST MEETING UPDATE on GCA MOTION regarding 617 Bank Street:

Following the GCA Board meeting on February 27th, new information was obtained by the GCA Planning Committee, i.e. that city staff will not defer the application and are likely to simply approve the proposal to allow office space use along the entire block occupied by this building with some additional requirements for window glazing. This would set a precedent before the comprehensive bylaw review is completed. A new motion was therefore developed and circulated to the Board on March 3rd for an electronic vote:

WHEREAS the GCA has already written to the City indicating that it is does not support granting approval for the application to permit office uses at grade at 617-625 Bank Street on an exception basis;

WHEREAS the GCA believes the issues raised by this application should be considered as part of the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZBL) Review currently underway (anticipated to be finalized by Q4 2025), and that there is no urgency to granting the requested permission prior to Q4 2025;

and

WHEREAS the GCA has more recently been made aware that the City may nonetheless be inclined to support permission for office use with minimal conditions.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The GCA advocates that if the City supports the subject application, contrary to GCA advocacy that the issues be dealt with as part of the CZBL Review, the following conditions should be included as part of any approval for 617-625 Bank Street:

  • Office uses permitted be limited to legal, accounting, and insurance brokers by owner-operator businesses, as referenced by the applicant.
  • Window/transparent glazing requirements along the street front be increased from 50% to 75% – accompanied by language that enables the zoning by-law to actually be enforced (i.e. “building landlords and tenants must ensure unobstructed views into first 3 metres of store front depths at all times”).
  • Office uses (as defined above) be limited to occupy a maximum of 33% of the store frontage at the subject addresses.

MOTION APPROVED via email on March 4, 2024 (1 abstention, 1 opposed). ]

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Environment Committee – A written report was submitted and was appended to the agenda.

Health, Housing and Social Services – Deborah Young reported the following:

  • The next Bottleworks collection date is March 16th and will include a clothing drive for Big Brothers Big Sisters’ thrift store. The collaboration between Operation Go Home, the GCA and Kundstadt has been very successful and the support from the community is appreciated.
  • A meeting on community safety was held between the GCA, BIA, GNAG and the Councillor’s office. As a result, a one page resource has been jointly developed to provide info on ‘who to call’ in the event of a health and safety concern, with the BIA having provided graphics support. The list is posted on the GCA website under Advocacy but will also be posted in a more accessible location soon. A few copies were distributed in the meeting for reference. A community safety education session is being planned for Thursday May 2nd and will include a panel discussion by Shawn Menard, Constable Stephanie Lemieux (OPS Community Liaison), and an outreach worker. MPP Joel Harden will also be invited to attend.
  • A letter was written to the City regarding needle pick-up. A detailed response has been received from Ottawa Public Health and will be posted on the GCA website. As a follow-up, Ottawa Public Health has invited the GCA to attend a consultation in March on mental health.

Lansdowne – June Creelman provided an update on Lansdowne 2.0 development. She noted that the site plan is going ahead even as the zoning is being appealed, but that this is not uncommon to have the processes in parallel.  Usually the Community Association sits on the site plan group but she indicated she is not sure how that will work given that the GCA has made the zoning appeal. A lawyer with no conflicts has finally been identified to support the appeal, but a planning expert is still required.  The appeal has been served to The Ontario Lands Tribunal and it is expected that they won’t be able to provide an opinion until the fall.  While the GCA has lots of issues with the proposed redevelopment, the reduction of green space on the site is the strongest component of the appeal and there is good precedence regarding the protection of green space.  A fundraising bank account has been set up. June clarified that the appeal is against the City of Ottawa, not the developer, as the proposal violates City policy.

Heritage – William Price provided an update on changes to the provincial Heritage Act which is having implications for heritage designations and risk of more character homes facing demolition.  He brought forward two examples of current developments under consideration:

  • 102 First Avenue – modest home built in the 1800’s, now in poor condition with structural issues, where the developer proposes to tear it down. There are only 60 days to get a heritage designation and it is thought the City is unlikely to intervene, but the GCA Committee will continue advocating for it.
  • 160 Clemow – an original home with a side lot, where it is proposed that the heritage home remain and an infill house be built on the side property with a shared driveway. The proposal respects the streetscape and will allow for a multi-family home to accommodate two generations.

ISSUES FROM THE COMMUNITY – None were raised.

CLOSING REMARKS  – John congratulated Della and the Environment Committee for the Sustainability Coffee House series.  In closing – and to remind Board members of ongoing challenges – he read a letter dated 1980 from the GCA archives in which the President at the time was expressing concern about the need to increase membership renewals.  John thanked everyone for attending and for their participation in the discussions.

NEXT MEETING:  Tuesday March 26th, 2024 via ZOOM.   

ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Della Wilkinson. Carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.