Eastern part of Ward 5 designated urban area
OTTAWA – The city’s Planning committee approved an Official Plan amendment needed to bring the Kanata Highlands into the urban area.
The 60-hectare parcel at 820 Huntmar Drive is at the west end of Ottawa’s urban area in the southern portion of Ward 5 adjacent to the South March Highlands Conservation Forest. The site was approved as an urban expansion area through the resolution of an Ontario Municipal Board appeal to Official Plan Amendment 76.
A comprehensive study report and environmental study will guide development in a way that protects sensitive environmental features, including a Blanding’s turtle habitat. The turtles are a protected species and use the site seasonally to cross from one habitat to another. The plan for the site includes maintaining a corridor of lands for the turtles to cross. Ownership of the corridor would go to the city for conservation, once the site is developed.
The committee also approved adding 12 full-time equivalent staff to the Building Code Services Branch.
As required by the Building Code Act, all costs for enforcement must be entirely recoverable through building permit revenues, meaning no additional burden will be placed on Ottawa’s taxpayers.
The city has seen an increase in construction activity and needs extra staff to help process applications and enforce the act. The added positions would ensure the branch has the resources it needs to get this work done in a timely fashion.
The committee recommended two zoning amendments that should see new residential subdivisions in the City’s suburban areas. The first would allow development of phase four of The Meadows subdivision in Barrhaven south, on the west side of Greenbank Road and south of Cambrian Road. City Council will consider this item on Wednesday, Sept. 12.
The second would permit development of the vacant lands north of Barnsdale Road and west of Greenbank Road with a range of housing types, schools, parks, stormwater management and a park and ride.
Except where noted, items approved at today’s Planning committee meeting will go to council on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
