What in the World Is Cash-In-Lieu of Parkland? by David Knockaert He Provincial Planning Act Requires Developers to Set Aside Land for Green Space
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FEBRUARY 2020 A Voice of Riverview Park MARCH 2020 What in the world is cash-in-lieu of parkland? by David Knockaert he Provincial Planning Act requires developers to set aside land for green space. However,T that is often impractical, either because land in the area of the development is not available or because the land acquired would be so small as to be of little use. In such situations, developers provide the city with cash-in-lieu of green space/parkland. Forty percent of this revenue goes to municipal administrators for city wide use. Sixty percent is allocated to the ward in which the development is taking place. Each ward councillor controls their own fund. While allocations are in- tended to be disbursed within that specific ward, some may be spent elsewhere should two or more councillors agree to pool funds in support of a project, providing that project is within one of their wards. Alternatively, a councillor may choose to hand ward revenue to city administrators who would then use the funds on either an ex- isting or new park. Councillors may spend for the acquisition of land for new parks, increase the capacity of parks, park facilities, upgrade program space or to repair, renew, and replace fixed park assets. Revenue cannot be used to offset operational costs (e.g. maintenance) nor for portable items such as athletic equipment. Cash-in-lieu of parkland is not a common topic of public conver- sation. It seldom draws attention CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Cash-in-lieu of parkland money helps buy new playground equipment such as at Hutton Park. PHOTO: CAROLE MOULT Six quick winter getaways near Riverview Park by Murray Dineen “getaways.” Each is within an easy ttawa is fortunate to have 15 minute drive or half hour bike great museums, parks, ride from my house in Riverview and shopping areas in Park, and all of them are quiet, Oabundance. Many of them, how- rarely crowded, and don’t require ever, can be crowded, or difficult spending money. to get to, or expensive. If I want to Susan Overholt, a retired teacher, enjoys tending the pots and working take a quick break from my house, 1. The Plant Room at Ritchie among the plants in Ritchie Feed & Seed. PHOTO: GEOFF RADNOR I visit the following six winter CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 Page 2 Riverview Park Review February-March 2020 Be prepared to have the works of Peter Colbert + Dan Ryan captivate you at the Wall Space Gallery by Carole Moult uests dropping into Peter’s pieces an upcoming exhi- bition at the Wall are now GSpace Gallery, Westboro, can’t help but become en- collected gaged with the new exhib- it by Peter Colbert + Dan internationally. Ryan. Although the artists’ after collage and worked routes have been some- for many years as an Art what different to arrive at Director and Illustrator, this place in time, we are all the while continuing to quite fortunate to be able pursue the ‘fine art’ of land- to share the exceptional re- scape painting. Today he sults of both. calls himself a hybrid artist. Peter Colbert spent He resides in Toronto and many years as a graphic de- his intrepid landscapes are signer. He was a graduate of found in corporate and res- Humber College and won a idential collections nation- scholarship to the Ontario wide. College of Art and Design Next Steps by Peter The three week show will in Toronto. After a success- Maniitok by Dan Ryan, mixed media on canvas, 36 x 36 in. Colbert, acrylic on canvas, take place from Saturday, ful 26-year career as an Art 24 x 48 in. February 8th to Saturday, Director, Peter decided to of artists such as Dieben- Dan Ryan’s love of paint- February 29th at Wall Space paint on a full-time basis korn, Degas and Rothko. ing began when he was before going on to the On- Gallery, 358 Richmond and notes that he has never At the upcoming art exhib- twelve. He moved to Baffin tario College of Art, later Road. For more informa- looked back. Peter’s pieces it, enjoy and appreciate a Island after completing his receiving instruction in the tion, go to wallspacegallery. are now collected interna- mixture of the abstract and secondary school educa- art of illustration at Sher- ca. You’ll want to remember tionally. His inspiration, he figurative paintings of this tion and there continued idan College. Dan went to mark these dates on your has said, is from the works Ottawa based artist. to sketch and paint nature into the field of advertising 2020 calendar. February-March 2020 www.RiverviewParkReview.ca Page 3 Cash-in-lieu of parkland CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 from the media and few councillor websites make mention of the is- sue. However some attention was drawn to the matter this past spring in reaction to proposed provincial government amendments to the development charge framework. Five councillors co-authored an op-ed in The Citizen arguing against these amendments, stating,” A key advantage to the current system is that much of the decision-making affecting local neighbourhoods vis- à-vis these charges is in the hands of councillors working directly with residents.” That is absolutely true if coun- cillors actually work directly with residents. Readers can ask them- selves how closely their councillor has engaged with them on use of this revenue. Not insignificant Frequently, money from construction projects provides the city with cash-in-lieu of parkland. The amount of money available to PHOTO: CAROLE MOULT residents is not insignificant. At the end of September, councillor-con- higher than in 2019. for a very small percentage of ward strate that all residents and every trolled funds totalled $17.2m, with I suspect it must be difficult for residents and therefore be inconsis- community is valued. six wards each holding balances in councillors to decide on how funds tent with the approved vision. Where and how to spend is a excess of $1m. The Alta Vista ward, are spent. Issues to weigh include: Our SENS Rink in Canterbury matter worthy of consideration of which most of Riverview Park durability, maintenance require- is useful, attractive and well man- by all residents. The revenue be- residents belong, has a balance of ments, seasonality of the equip- aged. But unless there is an adult longs to all ward residents and we $1.4m, an increase of 59% over the ment/facility, age range suitability, to drive them, most children in the all bear an obligation to spend it past year. personal equipment costs for us- ward will have limited opportuni- wisely. Councillors should respect Obviously one reason for the ers, and any need for volunteers to ties to use it. “Vision statements” their obligation to consult and in- high balances is the city’s encour- manage the facility or equipment. make for good bureaucracy but if form residents as to how decisions agement of intensification and councillors wish us to live up to will be made/which decisions are density through development. An- Where to spend their vision, should they not “walk taken. Residents in turn bear an other reason is that not all coun- An even larger question facing the talk”? Diversified spending obligation to be involved, to find cillors spend revenue as quickly councillors and residents alike is takes time, effort and consultation and lend their voice in support of as it comes in. Two councillors where to spend the money. Several yet may lead to less dramatic re- the legitimate needs of their own spent no funds in either of the councillors have committed more sults. However, it serves to demon- community. past two years. Four others spent than half of available funds to a sin- less than 4% of their current bal- gle location. Such targeted spending ance over the same two year peri- is often impactful. Yet, councillors Correction od. Ironically, the five councillors must bear in mind they have already who co-authored the op-ed have endorsed a future vision of Ottawa In the December 2019 Edition of the Riverview Park Review, left more money unspent than the which calls for all residents to live p. 42, an article under the title, ‘Buried Treasures of all other 18 councillors combined. It within 15 minutes walk of facilities. genres in surprising places’, had Alma Mahler included as may also not come as a surprise to If any single park is chosen to be the one of several Jewish women composers. Her name should learn that in the 2018 election year principal beneficiary of spending, not have been in this list. spending was almost three times that location will only be walkable Sunday, February 23rd Refreshments 2 to 4 P.M. Balena Park Skating 1640 Devon Street Games brought to you by the [email protected] www.riverviewparkca.com Page 4 Riverview Park Review February-March 2020 February-March 2020 www.RiverviewParkReview.ca Page 5 Six quick winter get-aways CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 banks of votive candles, it has a calm aspect during the day, but it Seed and Feed (1390 Windmill comes alive visibly at night. The Lane, off Innes, just east of the Grotto is an active religious site freeway). Turn right after enter- and deserves respect and quiet ing the store and find a little oasis contemplation. Services are often of trickling waterfalls and house held on weekends and on weekdays plants, including cacti, orchids, during the summer. and succulents. 5. Walking and skiing trails be- 2. Koyman Art Galleries (1771 hind the Ramsayville Cemetery St.