1

Report to/Rapport au :

Transportation Committee Comité des transports

November 27, 2012 27 novembre 2012

Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/Directrice municipale adjointe, Planning and Infrastructure/Urbanisme et Infrastructure

Contact Person / Personne ressource: Bob Streicher, Acting Manager/Gestionnaire par intérim, Transportation Planning/Planification des transports, Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance (613) 580-2424 x 22723, Bob.Streicher@.ca

CITY WIDE / À L’ÉCHELLE DE LA VILLE Ref N°: ACS2012-PAI-PGM-0260

SUBJECT: JOINT STUDY TO ASSESS CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURES ON THE NATIONAL CAPITAL – STUDY REPORT

OBJET : ÉTUDE CONJOINTE VISANT À ÉVALUER LES EFFETS CUMULATIFS DES INFRASTRUCTURES DE TRANSPORT SUR LA CEINTURE DE VERDURE DE LA CAPITALE NATIONALE – RAPPORT D’ÉTUDE

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS That the Transportation Committee receive this report for information.

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT Que le Comité des Transports prenne connaissance de ce rapport.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study undertaken in partnership with the National Capital Commission (NCC) was to identify projects within the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and other transportation projects that have emerged since the completion of the TMP that could have an impact on the environmental integrity of the federal Greenbelt lands. By examining the cumulative effects of the construction of this infrastructure on the Greenbelt lands, a framework now has been established to ensure that the associated Environmental Assessments (EAs) that require federal approval will move forward more expediently.

2

One of the NCC’s mandates is to protect the Greenbelt. Current practice has been that the NCC only comments or provides input on projects that are identified in its Greenbelt Master Plan (GBMP). The NCC is currently updating the GBMP and the results of the joint study will be reflected in the new plan. The City is equally interested in protecting the Greenbelt and has set out policies in the Official Plan as such. Furthermore all City-initiated transportation studies follow the Environmental Assessment Act and therefore must address natural, social, transportation, and financial impacts.

The study’s scientific findings (Document 1) informed a discussion with the NCC on which transportation projects require environmental mitigation measures or relocation due to environmental impact. Of the 30 projects, 17 will proceed with normal federal approvals processes, eight will proceed with conditions attached, and five require significant further dialogue with the NCC on how the project is implemented. These five projects will the subject of a Letter of Understanding to guide future discussions in continued recognition of the important relationship between the GBMP and the TMP.

DISCUSSION The guiding principles of this study, as agreed to by the City and the NCC, were as follows:  Assess cumulative effects of existing, planned and reasonably foreseeable transportation projects on Greenbelt lands;  Promote integrated and cohesive environmental and transportation decision- making for the Greenbelt Master Plan and Transportation Master Plan;  Assess cumulative effects of 2008 TMP proposals an in addition the Bypass, Lester Road widening, Leitrim Road realignment and cycling lanes projects;  Examine road transportation and transit infrastructure proposals with sustainability in mind to maintain and enhance conservation of the Greenbelt;  Examine how transportation infrastructure could be managed while seeking to minimize encroachment and landscape fragmentation of the Greenbelt; and  Establish an integrated planning framework to guide the City and NCC in their Transportation and Greenbelt Master Plans.

Thirty transit and road projects were identified in the Greenbelt over the planning horizon to 2031, including one Provincial and one Federal project as shown in Document 2.

Both macro-scale and micro-scale analyses were completed to examine the effects associated with individual projects as well as the combined effects of projects within a defined unit. The Greenbelt as a whole, Landscape Management Units, Core Natural Areas (CNAs), Natural Area Linkages (NALs), Supporting Ecological Features and Cultivated Landscapes covering all the Greenbelt except for the Airport lands, were assessed. While descriptive definitions of these areas can be found in the study, it should be noted that CNAs are considered to be irreplaceable ecological features of the Greenbelt, providing a variety of ecological services and NALs are considered important

3 for maintaining ecological connectivity between CNAs within the Greenbelt and natural areas outside of the Greenbelt. As such, cumulative effects on CNAs and NALs are considered to be of greatest importance to the ongoing ecological integrity and community benefit of the Greenbelt as a whole.

The key findings of the analyses were that eight projects are likely to generate cumulative effects on CNAs which include:

 Changes to ecological form resulting from loss of area and increased edge;  Reduced connectivity occurring through weakened connections between the CNAs and natural areas outside the Greenbelt;  Reduced resilience occurring due to increased road density and increased vehicle movements resulting in indirect effects (e.g., noise, dust);  Reduced tranquility in the CNAs for community uses;  Pine Grove Forest LMU is likely to experience cumulative effects to the greatest extent, with noticeable changes across most measures and indicators;  Stony Swamp CNA is most likely to experience cumulative effects to the greatest extent, with noticeable changes in most measures and indicators that are applicable to CNAs;

The results of the macro and micro scale analyses were used to categorize each of the 30 projects into two categories:

 Category 1 projects are those that require additional consideration by the City and the NCC in order to avoid and/or reduce the potential for cumulative effects on the Greenbelt, with avoidance of effects being a prime guiding principle.  Category 2 projects are those that have a lower potential for generating significant adverse cumulative effects on the Greenbelt, and could proceed subject to EA completion, mitigation and compensation measures, and NCC FLUDA process.

The City and the NCC reviewed the categorization of projects with consideration for other qualities of the projects, such as their contribution to transportation needs and the potential impacts to communities of not proceeding and the work completed on each project to date. The result was a final list of projects and their categories as set out in Document 3.

The study provides a management plan for the treatment of the 14 Category 1 and 16 Category 2 projects along with suggested supporting activities to further minimize adverse cumulative effects. For the Category 1 projects the NCC has characterized projects as “approved” (but with conditions) and “not approved”.

Based on a draft Letter of Mutual Understanding to be signed between the City and the NCC, the following five projects will be assigned to Category 1 (not approved):  Hope Side Road extension ( to );  Hope Side Road extension (Moodie Drive to West Road at Highway 416);  Leitrim Road realignment south of the airport;  Leitrim Park and Ride lot; and

4

 North South LRT Maintenance and Storage Yard.

These Category 1 projects are not acceptable to the NCC as currently defined and will require special avoidance measures such as realignment or relocation. For example, it has been agreed to by the City and NCC that with respect to the Hope Side Road projects, an acceptable option may be the widening of Richmond Road/West between Hope Side Road and Highway 416, and that this project will be included in the NCC’s Greenbelt Master Plan. This is being done in order meet the guiding principle of preventing fragmentation, improving landscape connectivity and fully considering Greenbelt connectivity during transportation infrastructure planning exercises. These projects will be discussed further with the NCC through a joint working group. The Leitrim Park and Ride lot and the North South LRT Maintenance and Storage yard will be dealt with through the Transportation Master Plan. The City will also inform the NCC ahead of time about any new studies located in the Greenbelt.

Eight Category 1 projects will require identified mitigation measures and are approved with conditions:

 Hunt Club Road Extension (Hawthorne to Hwy 417);  Hunt Club Road -Walkey Road Connection east of Highway 417;  Widening;  New Crossing of Rideau River (Fallowfield Road to Leitrim Road);  Chapel Hill Park and Ride;  Leitrim Road (River to Realignment);  Lester Road Widening (Airport to ); and  Cumberland

The one remaining Category 1 project and 16 Category 2 projects will go through standard City and NCC processes.

Implications for Transportation Master Plan update

Based on revised housing and employment projections for 2031, the TMP update currently underway will continue to recommend the need for transportation infrastructure crossing the Greenbelt consisting of a combination of new transit facilities, and widened or new roads.

RURAL IMPLICATIONS Although the City’s transportation policies have a strong emphasis on transit, with a City-wide transit modal share target of 30 per cent, additional roadway capacity will be needed across the Greenbelt. All of the projects identified in this study are critical to the growth and long term viability of the future City of Ottawa’s transportation needs and the needs of its residents, living outside of the Greenbelt - in particular, rural residents who will encounter a longer commute time.

5

CONSULTATION During the initial phases of the study, comments were received only from the Public Advisory Committee of the Greenbelt Master Plan Review. The general public will be consulted as part of the open house scheduled for the GBMP, through the Transportation Master Plan update, and through individual project EAs.

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLORS This is a City-wide report – not applicable.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS There are no legal impediments associated in receiving this report.

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS There are risk implications related to the implementation of the Transportation Master Plan projects. These risks have been identified and explained in the report and are being managed by the appropriate staff.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The City may incur additional costs to implement the relocation and realignment measures for projects that were either “not accepted” or “accepted upon fulfillment of certain conditions” by the NCC. The additional costs will be reflected through the TMP at a high level where environmental assessments have not been completed and in more detail where they have. The additional capital requirements will be addressed through the annual capital budget process.

ACCESSIBILITY IMPACTS Providing the transportation linkages identified in the Transportation Master Plan serves to increase the overall mobility of Ottawa’s population.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS The cumulative impacts of planned transportation infrastructure on the environmental integrity of the Greenbelt are outlined in the study.

TECHNOLOGY IMPLICATIONS ITS will work closely with the Planning and Growth Management department to develop a detailed work plan and business cases for technology initiatives that may be required to support these proposals. This work plan and business cases where required, would

6 be evaluated and approved through the City of Ottawa ITS intake process for all new technology requests.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Document 1 Joint Study to Access Cumulative Effects of Transportation Infrastructures on National Capital Greenbelt – Study Report – issued separately Document 2 Projects Studied Document 3 Project Categorization

DISPOSITION The City and the NCC will execute a Memorandum of Understanding and proceed with a collaborative review of Category 1 “not approved” projects which will include ongoing discussions with the NCC and early identification of the commencement of the EA study.

7

PROJECTS STUDIED DOCUMENT 2

1 Hunt Club Road extension (Hawthorne Road to Highway 417) 2 Fallowfield Road widening (Greenbank Road westerly past ) 3 New road from Hunt Club Road to to Innes Road east of Highway 417 4 Carling Avenue widening under existing Rail Overhead East of Kanata 5 widening through the Greenbelt 6 Blackburn Hamlet Bypass widening from Innes Road west to Blackburn Hamlet Bypass extension 7 Blackburn Hamlet Bypass extension west of Navan Road within Greenbelt 8 Ottawa Road 174 widening 9 Fallowfield Road widening from to Prince of Wales Drive 10 Hope Side Road Extension from Richmond Road to Moodie Drive 11 Hope Side Road Extension from Moodie Drive to Highway 416 12 widening (or twinning) through the Greenbelt 13 New Crossing of the Rideau River (Fallowfield Road to Leitrim Road) 14 Leitrim Road realignment from east of Limebank Road to the NS LRT line (south of the Airport) 15 West Hunt Club Road widening from Highway 416 to west of 16 Hunt Club Road widening from to west of Uplands Drive 17 Hunt Club Road widening in the vicinity of the Airport Parkway in the Greenbelt 18 Riverside Drive widening from Hunt Club Road to River Road 19 Leitrim Road widening from River Road to east of Limebank Road

8

20 Lester Road widening from the Airport Parkway to Bank Street Municipal Transit Projects and Park and Ride Lots: 21 New Transitway from Bayshore to with the following station: Baseline/Queensway-Carleton Hospital Line Station 22 New Cumberland Transitway adjacent to , Innes Road, Blackburn Hamlet Bypass and Blackburn Hamlet Bypass Extension with stations at Blair South, Blair North, Blackburn Hamlet West, Blackburn Hamlet East 23 Navan/ Chapel Hill Park and Ride Lot and Station between Cumberland Transitway and Blackburn Hamlet Bypass Extension 24 West Transitway Extension from Bayshore Station to Moodie Drive with a station at Moodie Drive 25 Leitrim Park and Ride, Phase 2 and Station in vicinity of the North-South Light Rail Transit (LRT) alignment 26 Airport LRT Connection from NS LRT to the Airport 27 NS LRT north and south of Lester Road 28 NS LRT Yard between the NS LRT and the Airport Parkway Provincial Road Project: 29 Highway 417 widening from new Hunt Club Road westerly to Greenbelt boundary (provincial jurisdiction) Federal Road Project: 30 Leitrim Road realignment at Canadian Forces Base Leitrim

9

OVERALL PROJECT CATEGORIZATION Document 3

# Project Name Overall Category (1 or 2) 1 Hunt Club Ext (Hawthorne-417) 1 2 Fallowfield Road Widening (Greenbank Westerly) 2 3 Hunt Club-Innes-Walkley Connection 1 4 Carling Ave Rail Underpass Widening 2 5 Prince of Wales Drive Widening 1 6 Blackburn Hamlet Bypass Widening 1 7 Blackburn Hamlet Bypass Ext. 2 8 OR 174 Widening 1 9 Fallowfield Road (Woodroffe Avenue Easterly) 2 10 Hope Side Road Richmond Road – Moodie Drive 1 11 Hope Side Road Moodie Drive – Hwy 416 1 12 Airport Parkway widening/ twinning 2 13 New Crossing Rideau River Road (Fallowfield Road to 1 Leitrim Road) 14 Leitrim Road realignment (South of Airport) 1 15 West Hunt Club Road widening 416 to west of Merivale 2 Road 16 Hunt Club Road from 4 to 6 lanes Riverside Drive to 2 Uplands Drive 17 Hunt Club Road from 4 to 6 lanes at Airport Parkway 2 18 Riverside Widening Hunt Club Road to River Road 2 19 Leitrim Road (from River Road to realignment) 2 20 Lester Road widening (Airport Parkway to Bank Street) 1 21 Transitway (Bayshore Drive-Baseline Road) 2 22 Cumberland Transitway 1 23 Chapel Hill Park and Ride 2 24 Western Transitway (Bayshore Drive to Moodie Drive) 2 25 Leitrim Park and Ride 1 26 Airport LRT Connection (from NS LRT to airport) 2 27 NS LRT (north and south of Lester) 1 28 NS LRT Yard 1 29 Hwy 417 widening from Hunt Club Road Extension to 2 Greenbelt near Walkley Road 30 Leitrim Road realignment (at CFS Leitrim) 2