Cardinal Creek Village
EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
Cardinal Creek Village
EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
Prepared by:
1223 Michael Street, Suite 100 Ottawa, Ontario K1J 7T2
TO3073TOE
16 July 2013
Cardinal Creek Village Existing Conditions Report
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Overview ...... 1 1.2 Purpose of this Baseline Report ...... 1 1.3 Methods of Investigation ...... 2 1.4 Report Organization ...... 2 2. Transportation ...... 3 2.1 Existing Transportation Network ...... 3 2.1.1 Road Network ...... 3 2.1.2 Cycling and Pedestrian Facilities ...... 3 2.1.3 Transit Service ...... 3 2.1.4 Existing Traffic Volumes ...... 3 2.2 Future Transportation Network ...... 3 2.3 Traffic Analysis ...... 4 2.3.1 Traffic Distribution...... 4 2.3.2 Intersection Capacity Analysis ...... 4 2.4 Traffic Signal Warrants Analysis ...... 4 2.5 Screenline Analysis...... 5 2.6 Recommended Infrastructure Needs ...... 5 3. Municipal Servicing Infrastructure ...... 6 3.1 Water Supply Servicing ...... 6 3.2 Sanitary Servicing ...... 6 3.3 Storm Drainage ...... 7 4. Social Environment ...... 8 4.1 Administrative Boundaries ...... 8 4.2 Planning Policies...... 8 4.2.1 Provincial Policy Statement ...... 8 4.2.2 Official Plan ...... 8 4.3 Land Ownership ...... 9 4.4 Land Use ...... 9 4.5 Heritage and Archaeological Resources ...... 9 5. Physical Environment ...... 12 5.1 Geotechnical Conditions ...... 12 5.1.1 Bedrock Geology ...... 12 5.1.2 Surficial Geology ...... 12 5.1.3 Karst Features ...... 13 5.2 Hydrogeology ...... 14 5.2.1 Infiltration Potential and Groundwater Recharge ...... 14
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Cardinal Creek Village Existing Conditions Report
5.2.2 Flow Systems ...... 14 5.2.3 Groundwater Discharge and Baseflow ...... 15 5.2.4 Water Supply Wells ...... 15 5.3 Potential Contamination ...... 15 5.4 Fluvial and Geomorphologic Environment ...... 15 5.4.1 Cardinal Creek ...... 16 5.4.2 South Tributary ...... 16 6. Biological Environment ...... 18 6.1 Aquatic Habitat ...... 18 6.1.1 Cardinal Creek ...... 18 6.1.2 ‘North’ East-West Cardinal Creek Tributary ...... 18 6.1.3 ‘South’ East-West Cardinal Creek Tributary ...... 19 6.2 Headwater Drainage Features ...... 19 6.3 Terrestrial Habitat ...... 20 6.4 Urban Natural Areas ...... 20 6.5 Wetlands ...... 21 6.6 Species at Risk and Other Species of Interest ...... 21 7. References ...... 23
List of Tables Table 1: Existing Watermain Locations ...... 6 Table 2: Existing Sanitary Sewers ...... 7 Table 3: Summary of Flows during 2012 Field Sampling ...... 20
List of Figures Figure 1: Study Area Location ...... 1 Figure 2: Ownership Map - November 2011 ...... 9 Figure 3: Karst Features ...... 13 Figure 4: Components of the Natural Heritage System ...... 22
List of Photos Photo 1: Reach of the north tributary closest to Cardinal Creek looking upstream ...... 18 Photo 2: Bank erosion along the south tributary in the middle of the site ...... 19 Photo 3: Meadow marsh along south tributary approximately 230 m west of Frank Kenny Road (facing east) ...... 19
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Cardinal Creek Village Existing Conditions Report
List of Appendices Appendix A: Tamarack (Queen Street) Corporation – Cardinal Creek Village Community Transportation Study (IBI Group, 8 July 2013) Appendix B: Tamarack (Queen Street Corp.) Official Plan Amendment Submission Planning Rationale – Cardinal Creek Village Area 11 Expansion Area (Richard W. Harrison & Associates, November 2012) Appendix C: Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment Proposed Cardinal Creek Development, Lands North of Old Montreal Rd. Part Lot 25, 26, 27 and 28, Concession 1 in the Geographic Township of Cumberland, Historic County of Russell, Ottawa, Ontario, (Paterson Group, November 2012). Stage 1 and 2 Archaeological Assessment: Proposed Cardinal Creek Development – Part Lot 28, Geographic Township of Cumberland, Ottawa, Ontario (Paterson Group, September 2012). Proposed Cardinal Creek Development, Lands South of Old Montreal Rd. Part Lot 25, 26 and 27, and 28 Concession 1 and Part Lot C, D, and E Concession 8 in the Geographic Township of Cumberland, Historic County of Russell, Ottawa, Ontario (Paterson Group, March 2013). Stage 1 and 2 Archaeological Assessment, Proposed Cardinal Creek Development, Ottawa, Ontario (Paterson Group, July 2012) Appendix D: Existing Conditions Report: Hydrogeology – Cardinal Creek Village, Ottawa (Cumberland), Ontario (Paterson Group, 28 June 2013) Memo RE: Evaluation of Karst at Cardinal Creek Village (Worthington Groundwater, Dr. Stephen Worthington, 4 June 2013) Site Specific Water Budget Report – Cardinal Creek Village Development (R1) (Palmer Environmental Consulting, 24 June, 2013) Appendix E: Phase I – Environmental Site Assessment: Proposed Cardinal Village Subdivision Lands, Old Montreal Road, Ottawa (Cumberland), Ontario (Paterson Group, 7 November 2012) Appendix F: Geotechnical Investigation, Proposed Cardinal Creek Village Residential/Commercial Development, Old Montreal Road, Ottawa Ontario (Paterson Group, 16 July 2013) Appendix G: Cardinal Creek Village – Meander Belt Width Delineation Memo (PGL - Mark Wojda, 4 April 2013) Cardinal Creek Village – Erosion Threshold Assessment (PGL, January 2013) Cardinal Creek Village – Erosion Threshold Assessment Main Branch (PGL, May 2013) Cardinal Creek Village – 2012 Surface Water and Rainfall Monitoring Memorandum (J.F. Sabourin and Associates Inc., 14 December 2012) Appendix H: Existing Conditions Natural Environment Features Cardinal Creek Village. (Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. February 2013) Fish Habitat and Fish Community Existing Conditions Report Cardinal Creek Village, Cardinal Creek Tributaries (Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. January 2013) Fish Habitat and Fish Community Headwater Assessment Report, Cardinal Creek Village, Cardinal Creek Tributaries (Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. July, 2013)
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Cardinal Creek Village Existing Conditions Report
1. Introduction
1.1 Overview This report summarizes the studies and investigations undertaken to document the existing social, transportation, physical and biological conditions of the study area lands which encompass the area of the proposed Cardinal Creek Village community. The subject lands are generally located in the City of Ottawa Official Plan as “Urban Expansion Study Area”.
A land use concept plan is still being developed, but it is envisioned that the proposed Cardinal Creek Village community will include approximately 4,800 residential units, institutional land uses and mixed-use commercial areas.
This report will be input into the Community Design Plan (CDP) process which has been initiated recently as a joint venture of the City of Ottawa and the major landowners within the study area. As shown on Figure 1, the study lands are located east of Cardinal Creek, west of the estate residential development along Ted Kelly Lane, south of Ottawa Road 174 and north of lands currently designated “Agricultural Resource Area” in the City’s Official Plan. Figure 1: Study Area Location
1.2 Purpose of this Baseline Report This is a report of the studies and investigations undertaken to document the existing social, transportation, physical and biological conditions of the study area which encompass the proposed Cardinal Creek Village community. It is intended to document the baseline conditions for the study for consideration in the development of a Concept Plan the supporting Municipal Class Environmental Assessments/Master Plan. The conditions provide a baseline against which the potential environmental effects of the project can be assessed.
This report has been updated progressively as investigations continued and additional information becomes available. Overall, the baseline data was collected and analysed for key environmental parameters in order to: • Provide an understanding of existing conditions; • Allow for future predictions of how the proposed project may cause these environmental conditions to change; • Allow for future predictions of how adverse effects can be mitigated and beneficial effects enhanced; and • Provide a basis for designing monitoring programs.
The Existing Conditions Report is a dynamic report that was only finalized during the final stages of assessment. The existing conditions were considered when reviewing, assessing and evaluating alternative solutions, and details
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were added when particular components of the environment were assessed and further investigation required. The potential implication or relationships associated with various components on the environment are not discussed in the context of the Existing Conditions Report, but analysed at later stages in the study.
1.3 Methods of Investigation This Existing Conditions Report was prepared by a multidisciplinary team of land use planners, biologists, geologists, archaeologists, cultural landscape planners, transportation planners, and municipal engineers. This team of specialists collected, consolidated, reviewed and screened all available information with a view towards establishing the basis for development, analysis and evaluation of alternative solutions. The general methodology involved the following elements:
• The submission of requests for data, drawings, and reports to affected agencies; • Contacting and meeting with affected parties as required; • Consolidating, reviewing and analysis of relevant material for each element; • Conducting air photo interpretation and field verification as required; • Identifying elements or criteria that could be considered potential evaluation criteria; and • Preparing a draft baseline report to be reviewed by all participants to ensure thoroughness, reliance and reflectivity of agencies and public interests.
Specific methods of investigation for the transportation, social, physical and biological environments are discussed in further detail in the respective sections of this report.
1.4 Report Organization This Existing Conditions Report is one of several companion documents which will be produced as part of the CDP process. To facilitate review, the report is divided into six sections. The project introduction and overview is provided here in Section 1.0. Sections 2.0 to 6.0 describe the existing transportation, infrastructure, social, physical and biological conditions encompassing the corridor. The final section outlines reference materials and primary sources of information used in the creation of this report, and those provided within the appendices.
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2. Transportation This section of the report will present information relating to the existing transportation network in the study area as detailed in the IBI Group Community Transportation Study (Appendix A). Details of the road network, rights-of-way, cycling and pedestrian facilities, transit services, traffic volumes, collision records, screenline analysis, and future transportation network and transportation demand management strategies are outlined below.
2.1 Existing Transportation Network
2.1.1 Road Network The City of Ottawa Official Plan identifies rights-of-way that are to be protected along major roadways as described for the study area. The existing road network consists of city freeways, arterial, major collector, collector and arterial roads including Ottawa Road 174/County Road 17, Old Montreal Road, St. Joseph Boulevard, Trim Road and Frank Kenny Road. Growth in Orléans, Cumberland and Rockland has increased traffic volumes along the Ottawa Road 174/County Road 17 corridor which have led to congestion during the weekday periods.
Rights-of-Way to be protected along the roadways, as identified in the City of Ottawa Official Plan, range in width from 20 m on Frank Kenny Road, from Old Montreal Road to Innes Road up to 46 m on Trim Road, from Ottawa Road 174 to the proposed Trim Road/Frank Kenny Road Extension.
2.1.2 Cycling and Pedestrian Facilities There is an existing 1.5 km long off-road multi-use pathway that runs along Cardinal Creek from Watters Road to the realigned Trim Road corridor. There are currently no other specific facilities for pedestrian or cyclists along the major road corridors within the study area.
2.1.3 Transit Service Transit services are provided to the study area via the #95 Rapid Transit Network Route, and Routes 22, 122, 221, and 38 operated by OC Transpo. These routes provide a variety of service including all-day rapid transit service, weekday peak period express service, all-day service, and a peak period rural express route. Services are provided between the Trim Park & Ride and the suburb of Barrhaven via downtown Ottawa; between the Millennium Park & Ride and the LeBreton Station via downtown Ottawa; the Millennium Park & Ride and Place d’Orléans; and between Cumberland Village and LeBreton Station via the Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard.
2.1.4 Existing Traffic Volumes Existing traffic volumes within the study area have been derived from weekday traffic counts for the following intersections: • Trim Road/Ottawa Road 174 (2012) • St. Joseph Boulevard/Trim Road (2011) • Trim Road/Dairy Drive (2011) • Old Montreal Road/Frank Kenny (2012)
Details of the traffic data and accompanying figures are available in Appendix A. Collision record analysis was completed for the Ottawa Road 174 - Trim Road, Old Montreal Road (Trim Road to Frank Kenny Road), and St. Joseph Boulevard & Trim Road intersections. The majority of collisions occurred during inclement weather or poor roadway surface conditions.
2.2 Future Transportation Network The widening of Ottawa Road 174, the future widening/realignment of Trim Road and the future widening of St. Joseph Boulevard are all identified as road infrastructure upgrades in the City of Ottawa’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Although not identified in the TMP, the section of Old Montreal Road from Trim Road to Dairy Drive will
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be reconstructed and urbanized as part of the Trim Road Widening project. The Frank Kenny Road extension will be constructed as part of the Trim Road Widening project.
The TMP indicates that an off-road multi-use pathway will be constructed from Petrie Island to Innes Road alongside Cardinal Creek. A 1.5 km long segment of this proposed path already exists south of the study area from Watters Road to the realigned Trim Road corridor.
The City of Ottawa TMP also identifies plans to incrementally establish a city-wide light rail transit network and expand on the current bus rapid transit (BRT) network. Some of these changes will include extension of the East Transitway, the Cumberland Transitway. Details of implementation of transit service to the Cardinal Creek Village will be developed with OC Transpo staff as work on the conceptual plan for the development is advanced.
2.3 Traffic Analysis In addition to describing the existing conditions, IBI Group completed a traffic analysis for the horizon years 2021 and 2031. Site generated traffic volumes were derived for both the 2021 and 2031 analysis years, under the assumption that in 2021 approximately half of the total development of the Cardinal Creek Village would be complete, and that by 2031, the community is expected to be fully built-out.
2.3.1 Traffic Distribution The distribution of residential (commuter) development-generated traffic is as follows:
To/From Ottawa Inner Area: 65% To/From Orléans: 35% • 60% via Ottawa Road 174/Collector Road • 25% via Ottawa Road 174 • 35% via Ottawa Road 174/Trim Road • 25% via St. Joseph Boulevard • 5% via Ottawa Road 174/Tenth Line Road • 35% via Frank Kenny Road • 15% via Trim Road
The commercial components of the development have been assigned separate distributions due to the fact that they will generate internal trips from Cardinal Creek Village as well as external trips to/from the adjacent road network.
2.3.2 Intersection Capacity Analysis Intersection capacity analysis has been carried out for existing traffic; future background traffic; and future background plus site generated traffic weekday morning and weekday afternoon peak hour traffic conditions:
Existing (2012) Traffic Intersection capacity analysis under existing (2012) traffic conditions indicates that the intersection of Trim Road and Ottawa Road 174 is presently operating at close to its theoretical capacity during both the weekday morning and afternoon peak hours, and the other intersections within the study area operate at acceptable levels of service.
Future Traffic (2021 & 2031) Intersection capacity analysis for future background conditions (2021 & 2031) indicate that study area intersections will operate at and above acceptable levels with localized intersection modifications. However, in 2021 background traffic conditions indicate that the Trim Road/Ottawa Road 174 will operate above its theoretical capacity during weekday peak hours and ultimately the intersection may require upgrading to a full interchange. The ongoing Ottawa Road 174/County Road 17 EA study will further assess future capacity issues along the Ottawa Road 174 corridor.
2.4 Traffic Signal Warrants Analysis Traffic control signal warrants analysis has been carried out for the new development intersections under future background plus site generated traffic conditions. The results of the analysis indicate that the Ottawa Road 174 and
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the proposed collector road intersection meets the minimum warrants for traffic signals under 2021 traffic conditions; and the Old Montreal Road and proposed collector road intersection meets the warrants under 2031 traffic conditions.
2.5 Screenline Analysis A screenline analysis was focused on the Ottawa Road 174 and St. Joseph Boulevard corridors at the points where they cross the Bilberry Creek and Green’s Creek screenlines. The results of the analysis indicate that Ottawa Road 174 will approach its theoretical capacity under background traffic conditions by 2021 at the Green’s Creek Screenline (SL16) as a 4-lane roadway. Additionally, St. Joseph Boulevard is expected to surpass its theoretical capacity at the Green’s Creek screenline by 2021 under background traffic conditions in the peak (westbound) direction.
2.6 Recommended Infrastructure Needs The following summarizes IBI’s recommended infrastructure needs related to the subject lands and based in their analysis of transportation conditions:
• The addition of these lands (study area) will precipitate modification of existing transit routes as well as the implementation of new routes to service the proposed development • An off- road multi-use pathway from Petrie Island to Frank Kenny Road is proposed in the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and connections from it to the proposed development should be considered during future subdivision submissions. • It is recommended that signalization along the proposed major collector road may be required at Ottawa Road 174 and Montreal Road. • Old Montreal Road may need to be widened to 4 lanes between Frank Kenny and Dairy Road by 2031 to accommodate the additional traffic generated by the proposed development. • As Ottawa Road 174 is currently exceeding capacity, an additional lane in each direction from Trim Road to the proposed north south major collector may be required.
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3. Municipal Servicing Infrastructure
3.1 Water Supply Servicing The summary of existing municipal services – as provided in Section 3.9 of the Cardinal Creek Village Master Servicing Study reports that Cardinal Creek Village is located adjacent to the current boundary of the 1E and 2E Pressure Zones for water supply services. A summary of existing watermain locations in the vicinity of the study area is presented in Table 1.
Table 1: Existing Watermain Locations Existing Watermain – Location Size Year Constructed
St. Joseph Boulevard, ending at Trim Road 406 mm 1983
Trim Road from St. Joseph Boulevard to Taylor Creek Boulevard/Dairy 406 mm 1985 Drive Dairy Road ROW from Trim Road to the cul-de-sac end of Dairy 406 mm 1992 Road
North Service Road from Trim Road to East Extent 406 mm 1996
Watermain east of Trim Road from Dairy Road to the North Service 406 mm 1996 Road
Trim Road ending at Watters Road 610 mm 2007
St. Joseph Boulevard ending near Tenth Line Road 610 mm -
Planned Planned Watermain – Location Size Construction Date New north/south watermain on Trim Road, from the existing stub on 610 mm End of 2013 Watters Road to St. Joseph Boulevard New east/west watermain on Old Montreal Road, from Trim Road to Dairy 406 mm End of 2013 Drive
New east/west watermain stub on Old Montreal Road east of Trim Road 406 mm End of 2013
New east/west watermain on St. Joseph Blvd. from the existing stub near 610 mm End of 2014 Tenth Line Road to Trim Road
It has been determined that there are sufficient watermain pressures available at the connection points for Pressure Zone 1E and Pressure Zone 2E for the Cardinal Creek Village to connect to, according to the Ministry of Environment and City of Ottawa Guidelines. Detailed hydraulic water servicing analysis will be completed as the project progresses.
3.2 Sanitary Servicing The Cardinal Creek Village lands were previously assessed as part of the ‘50- year Urban Boundary Expansion’ for the East Urban Community. As such, various engineering studies have been completed to evaluate sanitary servicing options for the property (McNeely Engineering Consultants Ltd., 1992, Novatech Engineering Consultants Ltd, July 1997, Stantec Consultants Ltd, February 2001). Table 2 provides a summary of the existing sanitary sewer infrastructure.
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Table 2: Existing Sanitary Sewers Existing Sanitary Sewer – Location Size
Dairy Drive ROW from Trim Road to the cul-de-sac end of Dairy Drive 375 mm
450 mm / Trim Road ROW from Old Montreal Road to Dairy Drive 525 mm Trim Road ROW from Dairy Drive across Highway 174 to the North 825 mm Service Road
The summary of existing municipal services, as provided in Section 3.9 of the Cardinal Creek Village Master Servicing Study (DSEL, July 2013), confirms that sanitary sewer capacity is available in the vicinity of the subject lands; namely within the Trim Road Collector and the eastern portion of the Ottawa River Sub-Trunk (at the North Service Road).
• Trim Road Collector: The 825 mm diameter existing sanitary sewer at a slope of 0.15% will operate at approximately 72% of its full flowing capacity following development of Cardinal Creek Village, assuming existing conditions within the catchment. Under proposed build-out to 2031 (of both the proposed Trim Road catchments and Cardinal Creek Village), the sewer will operate at 80% of its full flowing capacity.
• Ottawa River Sub Trunk: The 900 mm diameter sewer at a slope of 0.12% (downstream of the Trim Road Collector within the North Service Road right-of-way) will operate at approximately 68% of its full flowing capacity following development of Cardinal Creek Village, assuming existing conditions within the catchment. Under proposed build-out to 2031 (of both the proposed Trim Road catchments and Cardinal Creek Village), the sewer will operate at 78% of its full flowing capacity.
3.3 Storm Drainage Cardinal Creek Village lies primarily within the Cardinal Creek Subwatershed, with a small portion in the northeast located within Ottawa 1 Subwatershed. The site is bisected by two tributaries to Cardinal Creek, with the main branch of Cardinal Creek located adjacent to the subject lands, on the western side. Using detailed Lidar point data and contour intervals, ArcGIS extension ArcHydro was used to generate the flow path network based on the existing conditions. The existing drainage catchments are depicted in the Cardinal Creek Village Master Servicing Study (DSEL, July 2013).
Storm servicing to support the Cardinal Creek Village development will be completed by on-site stormwater management ponds discharging to both the Cardinal Creek and the Ottawa River.
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4. Social Environment The social environment encompassing the study area is comprised of diverse components. The components relate to several factors both influencing and influenced by people’s use and interaction in the area. Data collection regarding the social conditions involved a combination of reviewing official government documents; published information; air photo interpretation; undertaking field investigations; and collecting information at public meetings and through individual submissions. Appendices B and C contain the detailed background studies related to the Official Plan Amendment Planning Rationale and Archaeological Studies, as prepared by Richard W. Harrison & Associates, and Paterson Group, respectively.
4.1 Administrative Boundaries The subject lands, known as Cardinal Creek Village, consist of approximately 225 ha and are located in the east end of Ottawa and east of Cardinal Creek; west of the estate residential development along Ted Kelly Lane; south of Ottawa Road 174; and generally north of the lands currently designated Agricultural Resource Area in the City’s Official Plan.
4.2 Planning Policies Land use and infrastructure planning in the study area is influenced by the policies and activities of the Province of Ontario and the City of Ottawa. The Provincial Policy Statement and the City of Ottawa Official Plan policies that are applicable will be discussed in this section.
4.2.1 Provincial Policy Statement The Provincial Policy Statement (2005) provides policy direction on matters of Provincial interest related to land use planning and development. The salient policy sections applicable to the subject application have been identified under Section 1.0 Building Strong Communities of the provincial statement and include policies as they relate to:
• Managing and Directing Land Use to Achieve Efficient Development and Land Use Patterns specifically policies related to the sustainability of healthy, liveable and safe communities, and settlement areas; • Employment Areas specifically with regards to the promotion of economic development and competitiveness; • Housing as it relates to the provision of an appropriate range of housing types and densities to meet projected requirements of current and future residents; • Public Spaces, Parks and Open Spaces as they relate to the promotion of healthy, active communities; and • Infrastructure and Public Service Facilities with specific regards to planning for sewage and water services.
4.2.2 Official Plan The City of Ottawa Official Plan (OP) was adopted by City Council on May 14, 2003 and was approved and modified by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on November 10, 2003. No outstanding amendments or appeals of the 2003 Plan to the Ontario Municipal Board affect the subject application. For the purposes of the Planning Rationale prepared by Richard W. Harrison & Associates, the January 2007 consolidated version of the Official Plan has been utilized.
An evaluation of the City of Ottawa Official Plan OPA 76 determined that there was a need for approximately 850 additional hectares over the next 20 years within the urban boundary. Within this review Cardinal Creek Village was identified as Candidate Area #11 and consistently scored highly against the City’s evaluation criteria.
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Most of the study area lands were formerly designated ‘Rural’ in the Official Plan and logically the primary land is currently one of the rural estate residences. With its transformation into a new urban community within Ottawa, these traditional rural land uses, internal to the site, will eventually disappear.
4.3 Land Ownership Land owners for the study area include the Laporte Family, McGarry Family Chapels, the Minogue Family, a private owner and Tamarack, with Tamarack being the beneficial owner of approximately 90% of the lands (Figure 2).
4.4 Land Use Current uses of these lands are diverse and include large lot rural residential, institutional, and nursery and landscape supply, with approximately 50% of the lands being pasture. The entire study area is designated as “Urban Expansion Study Area” by Order of the Ontario Municipal Board on June 12, 2012.
There are no schools or formalized parks with the subject lands. To the south and west of Trim Road bounded by Tenth Line, there are eight elementary schools and 2 high schools representing all four school boards, with each having an associated park. Several neighbourhood parks exist in adjacent subdivisions with two major park facilities of regional stature including Petrie Island and Millennium Park. Figure 2: Ownership Map - November 2011
Commercial facilities include the neighbourhood plazas at Trim Road and Watters Road and at Trim Road and Innes Road, with the regional scale shopping mall, Place d’Orléans, located approximately 5 km to the west of the site at Ottawa Road 174. Also to the west of the site are eight churches and one Muslim Centre.
4.5 Heritage and Archaeological Resources Paterson Group, on behalf of Taggart Investments, undertook a Stage 1 archaeological assessment of the study area located on Part Lot 25, 26, and 27, Concession 1 in the geographic township of Cumberland north of Old Montreal Rd; and a Stage 1 archaeological assessment for Part Lots 25, 26, 27 and 28 Concession 1 and Part Lot C, D, and E Concession 8 in the Geographic Township of Cumberland south of Old Montreal Rd. A Stage 1 and 2 archaeological assessment was also conducted by Paterson Group for Part Lot 28, Concession 1 in the geographic Township of Cumberland. Archaeological assessments are presented in Appendix C.
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The Stage 1 assessments included a review of the updated Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS) archaeological site databases, a review of relevant environmental, historical and archaeological literature, and primary historical research, including: historical maps, aerial photographs, and land registry records. The Stage 2 component of the archaeological assessments involved a pedestrian survey of the area where ploughing was possible, with subsurface testing consisting of hand excavated test pits at 5 m intervals where ploughing could not occur.
The village of Cumberland in Russell County was established on the south shore of the Ottawa River in 1801 although settlement is not recorded in the interior of the township prior to 1820 (Paterson (b), 2012).
Part Lots 25, 26 and 27, Concession 1, and Part Lots C,D, and E, Concession 8 to the north and south of Old Montreal Rd. Part lots 25, 26, and 27 and 28, Concession 1, and Part Lots C, D, and E, concession 8 to the north and south of Old Montreal Rd. are generally intertwined, with the exception of lot 28 (Paterson (b) 2012 and (d), 2013). The land registries, census records, and historic maps show that although this area was mainly rural, the property was occupied from early in the nineteenth century and there is evidence of a structure located on the property. Likewise the property was close to historic transportation routes in the form of roads and rail systems.
The Cardinal Creek registered archaeological site (BiFu-7) is within a 1 km radius of the study property (Paterson (d) 2013). Two registered sites are within a 2 km radius of the lots, located to the south of the study area. These sites have been identified as BiFu-5 (Cardinal Creek Homestead), and BiFu-6, an unidentified lithic scatter. The study property demonstrates several indicators for pre-contact archaeological potential sites. Additionally, although the area as mainly rural, the property was occupied from the early nineteenth century, and as such the study area demonstrates high potential for both pre-contact and historic period archaeological sites (Paterson (b) 2012 and (d), 2013).
A Stage 2 archaeological assessment should be conducted by a licenced archaeologist following the requirements set out in the 2011 Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists, as issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
Lot 28 Lot 28 consists of 18.8 hectares, characterized by cultivated corn fields, lightly wooded area to the north of the central section, and an overgrown field to the south surrounding a barn (Paterson (c), 2012). Additionally, a barn and a church are present on the south section of the study property although the church is not owned by Taggart and is therefore outside of the development area (Paterson (c), 2012).
This property is relatively flat, but a large slope culminating in a ridge is located to the north of the property and Cardinal Creek runs through it. The study property exhibits several indicators for pre-contact archaeological potential including proximity to water sources, elevated topography, and pockets of well drained sandy soil. The land registries, census records, and historic maps show that although this area was mainly rural, the property was occupied from early in the nineteenth century and there is evidence of a structure located on the property. Likewise Lot 28 was close to historic transportation routes in the form of roads and rail systems.
A search of the Ontario Archaeological Sites Database indicated that no registered archaeological sites are within a 1 km radius lot 28 (Paterson (c), 2012). Two registered sites are within a 2 km radius of the lot, located to the south of the study area. These sites have been identified as BiFu-5 (Cardinal Creek Homestead), and BiFu-6 (an unidentified lithic scatter).
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Field testing between June 5 and July 3, 2012 of Lot 28 by Paterson Group ((c), 2012) recovered a total of 26 artifacts over a wide area from a pedestrian survey and shovel testing. In accordance with MRCS standards, the entire property was surveyed at a 5 m test interval, with the exception of a small section of the northern slope and ridge which was judged to have a grade exceeding 20 degrees, areas that consisted of permanently wet land, and the footprint of the barn which consisted of disturbed areas. Diagnostic or formal artifact types were all collected, bagged, and labelled according to the find spot during the pedestrian survey, or by shovel test unit.
In Operation 1, Paterson Group recovered a total of 26 artifacts of which the ceramics indicated a scatter of mid to late 18th century Euro-Canadian artifacts including refined white earthenwares of different styles, and a portion of a porcelain tea cup (Paterson (c), 2012). Other artifacts recovered from Operation 1 include an iron buckle, a base from a 2 piece bottle mould with hinged base of aqua glass, a fragment of plain pipe stem, and a small amount of lithic material which consisted of two quartzite thinning flakes and one quartzite secondary thinning flaked (Paterson (c), 2012). The artifacts from Operation 1 do not trigger a requirement for a Stage 3 Archaeological Assessment, based on Section 1.a.i.(2), 1.c., Standard 2.2 (MTCS, 2011).
The artifacts collected by Paterson Group from Operation 2 on Lot 28 totalled 143 artifacts including ceramics, window pane glass, bottle glass, smoking pipe fragments, and other miscellaneous items. Analysis of the Euro- Canadian artifacts recovered during the Stage 2 survey in Operation 2 on Lot 28 by Paterson Group, found that the majority of the recovered material dated to the mid-late 19th century, with no material suggesting a post 1900 date. The combination of household artifacts, building materials, and scatter size suggests that the site may comprise the remains of a cabin (Paterson (c), 2012). Under Standard 1.c. of Section 2.2 of the Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists (MTCS 2011) this site is considered culturally significant and requires Stage 3 investigation, with a likelihood of a Stage 4 as this site dates to before 1870 and so displays cultural heritage value as per section 1.a., Standard 3.4.2 (MTCS 2011). This site has been registered with the MTCS as BiFu-7.
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5. Physical Environment Paterson Group was commissioned by Tamarack Homes Ltd. to complete an existing conditions assessment for the physical conditions of the site. Paterson completed their assessment based on available background information from numerous literature sources with site specific fieldwork data. Appendices D, E and F contain the Hydrogeology, Phase I ESA and Geotechnical Investigation reports, respectively.
The subject property is primarily dominated by agricultural lands with some remnant forest parcels present along the edges of the property to the south, west and east. The physiography of the site is largely controlled by the underlying rock structures and overlying unconsolidated materials (overburden). The subject property exists as a series of plateau areas separated by defined vertical elevation displacements consistent with escarpment formations.
Drainage on the subject property is considered to be discontinuous to poor within the flat-lying areas within the plateau areas. Most surficial drainage moves toward two drainage tributaries which bisect the direction of surficial flow. Generally the surficial drainage and shallow overburden groundwater flows towards the Ottawa River following the sloping topography, or to the Cardinal Creek network which ultimately outlets into the Ottawa River.
5.1 Geotechnical Conditions
5.1.1 Bedrock Geology Bedrock surface topography strongly influences the surficial topography throughout the site, with the depth to bedrock varying significantly from the south to the north, with the shallowest areas of overburden cover being noted near the vertical escarpments only. The subject property is underlain by generally flat-lying carbonate bedrock of sedimentary origin. Most of the bedrock present beneath the site consists of layers of limestone and similar sedimentary rock of varying thicknesses. These layers of bedrock form part of the sequence of Middle and Upper Ordovician limestone with interbeds of dolostone, shale and quartz sandstone, generally referred to as Ottawa Group.
A small area of the northern most portion of the subject property is underlain by limestone of the Oxford Formation, a Lower Ordovician limestone of the Beekmantown Group and Rockcliffe Formation, a younger limestone of the Lower Ordovician geologic time period. The Oxford and Rockcliffe formations transition to the Middle Ordovician layers by way of a vertical fault. Relevant sections of the bedrock have been reproduced from available Ontario Geologic Survey Graphical Information Service data as presented by Paterson Group.
The Oxford Formation consists mainly of brownish grey to green-grey, very fine to medium crystalline dolostone, present in thin to very thick layers with localized interbedding of shale, quartz sandstone and shaley dolostone being common towards the base of this formation. The Gull River formation is characterized by fine grained light grey to brown limestones with variable and sparse fossil content; greenish grey to tan-weathered silty dolostone beds become more prevalent towards the base of the formation. The Bobcaygeon Formation is characterized by brown to grey-brown fossiliferous limestone with thin shale interbeds or partings being prevalent in the upper parts and calarenites and nodal textures being common in the lower part.
5.1.2 Surficial Geology The surficial soils generally consist of a series of silty clay and glacial till deposits. Overburden thickness across the site varies between 1.2 m and greater than 10 m across the site.
The subject property is generally overlain by two dominant stratigraphic units of marine origin: silty clay and a glacial till. The overburden profile generally consists of topsoil or fill overlying a stiff to very stiff clay deposit. A third
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stratigraphic unit, a silty sand with trace clay, was noted in several test holes, but is discontinuous throughout the site and is present in isolated pockets only.
5.1.3 Karst Features The term “karst” is generally used to describe a geologic formation shaped by the dissolution of a layer, or layers of soluble bedrock, typically carbonate rock such as limestone or dolostone. The Cardinal Creek Karst is located greater than 400 m beyond the nearest edge of the subject lands and has been identified as an Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) due to the presence of karst features observed at that location.
The Cardinal Creek Karst represents a karst tunnel valley system by which surface water disappears beneath the surface into an entrance cave, and re- appears at several waterfalls along Cardinal Creek as springs. The main karst features which occur in this system include surface etching and pooling of waters, sink holes, dry stream beds, artesian springs and sinks. This karst has distinctive terrains attributable to the high solubility of the bedrock constituting a karst aquifer.
A memo completed by Worthington Groundwater (June 2013) indicates that no karstic hazards to construction were identified in the study area. The only karstic features that might be considered as possible constraints on construction are at depressions 1 and 3. However, there is a low probability that there are subsurface voids at either location that would be a hazard to construction. Nevertheless, it would be advisable to follow the precautionary principle and either avoid siting buildings at either location or else excavating to bedrock and examining the surface for voids.
Figure 3: Karst Features
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5.2 Hydrogeology Groundwater levels were measured using standpipes installed in boreholes. The groundwater table is expected to occur between 3 to 5 m below original ground surface with levels subject to seasonal fluctuations (Paterson (e), 2013). The hydrogeologic conditions for the subject property cover the following critical areas:
• Infiltration potentials of surficial soils; • Groundwater recharge and discharge potentials; and • Groundwater flow systems within site boundaries
The sections provided below include summaries of the site specific data obtained by Paterson Group from the site during field investigations and from the available information obtained from groundwater impact studies completed on neighbouring sites (Appendix D). The Paterson Hydrogeology Report informed the development of a Site Specific Water Budget Report, which is the key reference document for groundwater and geology conditions at the site and details the relationship between infiltration and groundwater recharge. Key implications are discussed in this section, while full details are provided in Appendix D.
5.2.1 Infiltration Potential and Groundwater Recharge The majority of the site is underlain by low permeability marine clay and till deposits that have a low infiltration potential. However, areas of solution enhanced bedrock of the Gull River Formation and the Bobcaygeon Formation are present within the subject lands and are considered important recharge areas due to their associated high infiltration potential. Surface water infiltrating vertically is anticipated to be taken up into the fractured bedrock zone which exists between the base of the overburden at the bedrock interface, and uppermost water bearing zone within the underlying carbonate bedrock.
Based on the estimated hydraulic conductivities prepared by Paterson Group, the silty clay and glacial till have hydraulic conductivity values in the order of 10-8 cm/s to 10-5 cm/s respectively. The carbonate bedrock encountered beneath the overburden material was assigned a hydraulic conductivity of the order of between 10-0 cm/s to 10-7 cm/s based on published values.
5.2.2 Flow Systems Groundwater flows from areas of higher hydraulic pressure to areas of lower hydraulic pressure. The flow system within the overburden groundwater generally follows the topographic relief of the site, as does the bedrock groundwater located within the upper portions at, and just below the face of the bedrock. The direction of flow within the lower bedrock aquifer system, based on the AECOM 2009 Subwatershed Study, and through site specific analysis conducted by Paterson, is towards the north/northwest towards the Ottawa River beneath the subject property. The preferential pathway for groundwater flow is northwards within the overburden groundwater flow system. This flow is interrupted within the reach of the two bisecting tributaries where the overburden groundwater flow is altered and directed to the tributaries as surface water.
With respect to hydraulic connection between the overburden groundwater and the deeper bedrock aquifer system, the bedrock aquifer system is present at depth below the bedrock surface at the southern and eastern quadrants of the subject property.
The bedrock water wells located along the west of the property, demonstrate the preferred water supply aquifer intercepted all but one of these by this group of wells is at an approximate depth of 18 m to 20 m below ground surface. Only one well record reported intercepting the upper bedrock aquifer at a depth of 12 m. East of the subject property, the water supply wells intercept the deeper water supply aquifer with a varied depth of 25.9 m to more than 99.1 m with the bulk of the water wells intercepting the lower aquifer between 35 m and 75 m below ground surface.
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In all instances, the ultimate discharge point for infiltrating water is interpolated to be to the Ottawa River.
5.2.3 Groundwater Discharge and Baseflow The North Tributary has an intermittent flow regime, primarily sustained by surface water, but also receiving minor groundwater discharge from the Gull River Formation bedrock.
The middle and lower reaches of the South Tributary are supported by groundwater discharge from karst springs. The recharge areas are south of the Study Area and will not be impacted by the development of Cardinal Creek Village.
5.2.4 Water Supply Wells Water supply wells constitute the primary source of drinking water for the neighbouring properties located immediately adjacent to the subject property. There are two (2) defined zones where water was encountered within the underlying limestone bedrock of the Middle Ordivician period, as noted in the previous section.
Based on Paterson’s review of the Mississippi Rideau Source Water Protection Assessment Report, only the area of exposed bedrock was noted to be mapped as highly vulnerable in the vicinity of the study area. This is consistent with Paterson’s present hydrogeological site characterization based on the findings of the June 2013 Worthington Memo and the Palmer Environmental Consultants Group findings.
Paterson completed a groundwater impact assessment for the site, based on the vulnerability assessment (Paterson (a), 2013). This assessment determined that there was a chance, albeit remote in nature, that existing down gradient water wells may exhibit measurable impacts to water quality and/or water quantity as a result of the proposed development. As such, Paterson proposed a comprehensive pre-construction monitoring program for a cluster of wells located on, and near the western and eastern edges of the proposed development area. Contingencies were presented in the Paterson report as part of an overall groundwater monitoring and mitigation plan. Several wells, located within the proposed development area, were identified as requiring decommissioning under relevant Provincial legislation at the time of construction within those areas.
5.3 Potential Contamination A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment conducted by Paterson Group notes that historically the subject site has been vacant or used for agricultural purposes (Appendix E). A historical review and site visit determined that the site is largely vacant, and is occupied by agricultural land or wooded. Farmstead buildings are present to the north of Old Montreal Road at the property identified as 1291 Old Montreal Road. No significant concerns were identified with respect to the current use of the subject site or immediately adjacent properties.
There is the potential that fuel or hydraulic oil from a derelict bulldozer at 1291 Old Montreal Road may have entered the surrounding soils. No fuels or chemicals or signs of staining were observed on the exterior of the subject property at the time of assessment. With the understanding that the existing farm buildings will be demolished prior to redevelopment of the subject property, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is not required for the property at this time.
5.4 Fluvial and Geomorphologic Environment As part of the Greater Cardinal Creek Subwatershed Study – Existing Conditions Report (AECOM, DRAFT, 2009); the Geomorphic Assessment of Cardinal Creek (Geomorphic Solutions, April 2007) examined Cardinal Creek for stream health and sensitivity, areas of concern with regards to degradation, and meanderbelt width. The assessment did not include an analysis of the South Tributary, due to access restrictions. As such, Paterson Group and Parish Geomorphic Limited (PGL) have completed additional field investigations of Cardinal Creek and the South Tributary
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to supplement the previously completed studies, in order to determine suggested stormwater management constraints for the development of the subject lands and to define appropriate limits of hazard according to meander belt width. PGL has completed an Erosion Threshold Assessment and a Meander Belt Width Delineation for Cardinal Creek Village, particularly for Cardinal Creek and the South Tributary (Appendix G).
5.4.1 Cardinal Creek Generally, the Geomorphic Assessment of Cardinal Creek (Geomorphic Solutions, April 2007) found that the Cardinal Creek channel is considered stable to moderately stable within the Study Area. The Geomorphic Assessment of Cardinal Creek (Geomorphic Solutions, April 2007) established a critical discharge of 0.05 m3/s for Reach C10 of Cardinal Creek (directly upstream of Old Montreal Road). The monitoring data provided in this same report indicates that the baseflow in Cardinal Creek at Reach C10 (average baseflow in the range of 0.2 to 0.3 m3/s from data over 2006-2007) has been observed to be significantly higher than the calculated threshold. This indicates significant and on-going erosion could be occurring within this section of Cardinal Creek, but also highlights the fact that there are limitations inherent to the erosion threshold analysis. For example, the critical discharge defines approximately when movement of sediment may begin, and does not indicate the extent or severity of erosion that will occur. Also, threshold values are inherently conservative when applied to natural channels (Greater Cardinal Creek Subwatershed Study – Existing Conditions Report, AECOM, 2009).
The Geomorphic Solutions Report provides meanderbelt widths for Cardinal Creek (116 – 123 m, including a 10% buffer), and suggests that stormwater management within the Cardinal Creek subwatershed should address matching flows below the two-year return because of the watershed’s sensitivity to changes in flow regime, specifically in regards to erosion. If conditions cannot be matched, the assessment suggests that other in-stream mitigation measures may be warranted.
Additional field studies were completed in May 2013 in order to verify the erosion threshold in Cardinal Creek. The additional field studies identified the bankfull width of the channel ranging between 6 - 12 m and bankfull depths ranging between 0.7 - 2 m. Bed materials are primarily silt, sand, and clay. The additional investigations (Appendix G) employed Rapid Geomorphic Assessments and Rapid Stream Assessment Techniques to characterize Cardinal Creek. The scores indicate that overall, Cardinal Creek is in adjustment downstream of its confluence with the South Tributary and that there is significant widening occurring in the system. All reaches within the Study Area were found to have generally high scores, with the primary adjustment factor for all of the reaches being widening. Indicators of widening included fallen and leaning trees, occurrence of large organic debris, toe erosion on both sides of riffles, steep bank angles and evident bank scour.
These additional studies indicate that a governing threshold of 1.5 m3/s is to be used as the critical discharge for Cardinal Creek and should be incorporated as a target within the stormwater management design of the site. Therefore, what is necessary in the development of a stormwater management plan is a comparison of cumulative time of erosion threshold exceedance or comparison of cumulative excess stream power pre- and post- development. At a minimum, it is desirable to match the pre- and post-development cumulative time of threshold exceedance in the channel. For the particularly sensitive reaches which have been observed to be actively adjusting or in a stressed state, an option may be to control time of threshold exceedance even lower than pre-development conditions.
5.4.2 South Tributary As noted previously, the Geomorphic Assessment of Cardinal Creek (Geomorphic Solutions, April 2007) did not include an analysis of the South Tributary, due to access restrictions. However, PGL has used information provided by DSEL to delineate a preliminary belt width for the study reach, drawing lines parallel to the governing outermost meanders and following the meander axis. Cardinal Creek Village –Meander Belt Width Delineation Memo dated 4 April 2013 is attached in Appendix G.
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Measured belt widths range from 14.4 m to 20.9 m, when a 10% buffer is applied. However, PGL also completed an empirically-based analysis approach related to geomorphic parameters of the watercourse with a meander belt width value. The empirically based meander belt widths range from 25.8 m to 29.8 m, which includes a 10% buffer being applied to both sides of the channel. PGL has determined that the empirically-based belt widths in addition to the standard 10% buffer is appropriate as the channel is in-adjustment, and therefore is not currently in a stable state.
Additionally, Paterson Group conducted a separate slope condition review for the South Tributary as part of the background studies for the development of Cardinal Creek Village, in order to gather information on toe erosion, surface erosion, and general slope stability. The field investigations indicated that the South Tributary is stable, with some toe erosion noted throughout where the watercourse is located close to the valley corridor wall. Parish Geomorphic Limited (PGL) completed field investigations of the South Tributary in December 2012, and believes that quantity control will likely be required for outlets to this watercourse.
Based on a Rapid Geomorphic Assessment (RGA), it was determined that the tributary was in adjustment based on indicators of channel instability. Surveyed bankfull widths range from 3.1 to 4.4 m, with average bankfull depths being fairly consistent and ranging between 0.34 m and 0.41 m. A detailed survey of the most sensitive reach of the tributary was undertaken by PGL in 2012 in order to be able to determine an erosion threshold for the channel. The erosion threshold for the South Tributary was determined by PGL to be 0.43 m3/s.
It is recommended that, as detailed design work progresses for the stormwater management facilities, outlet flows be refined according to the identified critical discharge. It was also noted that, because the watercourse in question is in-adjustment, future work could potentially include an investigation into the introduction of remediation measures such as channel design (bank stabilization, grade control, etc.) to improve existing conditions.
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6. Biological Environment This section of the report represents a summary of the natural environment within the study lands of the Cardinal Creek Village urban development area. This section of the report summarizes the Natural Environment Existing Conditions Report, the Fish Habitat and Fish Community Report, and the Headwater Assessment Report prepared by Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. (Appendix H) and their associated field studies completed in 2009 - 2012. Background information on the natural heritage features has been summarized from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Breeding Bird databases, as well as correspondence with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Greater Cardinal Creek Subwatershed Study Existing Conditions Report. The Cardinal Creek corridor to the west of the study area is well documented in the Subwatershed Study and the Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study (Muncaster and Brunton, 2005).
6.1 Aquatic Habitat
6.1.1 Cardinal Creek Cardinal Creek flows north to south to the west of the site. The creek averages six metres in wetted width and meanders among the forested Urban Natural Area. Cardinal Creek supports a range of cool and warm water fish communities and provides a connection with the Ottawa River. Barriers to fish movement include an old mill site north of Old Montreal Road and a karst feature at Watters Road. Bank erosion is common to the south of Old Montreal Road and some rock protection has been added to the base and lower slopes of the road and shoulders. Canopy cover for the creek is generally very good. There are two tributaries to Cardinal Creek within the study area.
Water samples collected between 2009 and 2012 indicated that temperatures varied between 4.0-27.0°C. Twenty sampling stations were established with spring sampling conducted at all stations, and summer sampling limited due to low water and dense vegetation.
6.1.2 ‘North’ East-West Cardinal Creek Tributary The ‘north’ tributary enters the site from the east, north of Old Montreal Road and is piped at Laporte’s Nursery for approximately 150 m in the west portion of the nursery with several culverts in the east portion. The ‘north’ tributary was sampled by Muncaster Environmental in 2009 and 2012. No fish were captured in three stations sampled at an upstream, east of the driveway for 1291 Old Montreal Road. Only two fish, both creek chub, were captured at a station between the driveway and Laporte’s Nursery to the west. Creek chub were netted at all four sampling stations between the nursery and Cardinal Creek, with the number of fish ranging between two and fifty-four.
The portion of the north tributary downstream, west of Laporte’s Nursery, is considered more sensitive due to a more natural channel form, greater number of fish caught, greater flow and a less disturbed riparian corridor. Runs and step cascade morphological units are present over a substrate of bedrock, boulder, and cobble. Further upstream run and riffle morphological units are present over a substrate of bedrock, boulder, and cobble, with shallow steps in a bedrock shelf and pool habitat.
Sampling in the North Tributary resulted in the capture of creek chub, and the netting of northern two-lined salamander with the number of fish specimens varied between sampling stations. Sampling stations contained diverse habitat with some stations dry at the time of Photo 1: Reach of the north tributary closest to Cardinal Creek looking upstream
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sampling. The vast majority of fish in the North Tributary were captured downstream of Laporte’s nursery. The North Tributary provides seasonal fish habitat for a limited forage fish community. The North Branch 1 does not provide direct fish habitat in part due to the suspended culvert and ill-defined channel at Old Montreal Road.
6.1.3 ‘South’ East-West Cardinal Creek Tributary The second east-west tributary enters the site south of Old Montreal Road near the intersection of Frank Kenny Road and Jonquille Way. This ‘south’ tributary flows west to the confluence with Cardinal Creek approximately 520 m west of the study area. Fish were caught at all sampling stations in the ‘south’ tributary. Bank erosion is extensive in many areas, although riparian cover is generally very good, with deciduous and mixed forests on either side for most of the site. A meadow marsh is upstream of a partially breeched beaver dam, along the south tributary corridor west of Frank Kenny Road. Bank erosion is extensive in many areas.
Sampling of the south tributary resulted in the capturing of two fish species: creek chub and brook stickleback. Species numbers and type varied between sampling station. The south tributary provides permanent fish habitat.
Photo 2: Bank erosion along the south Photo 3: Meadow marsh along south tributary in the middle of the site tributary approximately 230 m west of Frank Kenny Road (facing east)
6.2 Headwater Drainage Features The headwater drainage features identified by Muncaster Environmental flows into the Cardinal Creek with no incidental wildlife habitat features or functions noted. All tributaries had defined features, with water and flow present during the spring visits. The North Tributary flowed through agricultural fields, commercial lands and deciduous forest while North Branch 1 flowed through agricultural fields. Mid Branches 1 and 2 began in logged areas and continue through forested habitats.
The catchment for the headwater drainage is approximately 88.0 ha for the North Tributary, 39,3 ha for North Branch 1, 16 ha for Mid-Branch 1 and 49 ha for Mid-Branch 2. The summary of flow s during the 2012 field surveys are identified in Table 3 below. The majority of tributaries were dry during the summer site visit, with the exception of Mid-Branch 1 and a ponded area on Mid-Branch 2. There was little snow or rainfall during spring 2012 and Level 1 low water conditions was in effect during the field visits.
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Table 3: Summary of Flows during 2012 Field Sampling Watercourse Season Average Depth (m) Wetted Width (m) Classification North Tributary Spring 5 - 7 1.1 – 1.3 Intermittent North Branch 1 Spring 8- 51 1.2 – 2.0 Intermittent Mid-Branch 1 Spring 1 - 3 0.4 – 0.6 Permanent Summer 3 2.4 Mid-Branch 2 Spring 10 - 42 2.8 – 7.8 Intermittent Summer (ponded area) 7 2.5
Muncaster Environmental recommends that the downstream portion of the North Tributary be considered direct fish habitat with intermittent flow and be provided with Conservation 2 status. No protection of the North Branch 1 is required as it does not provide any fish habitat and had intermittent flow. The upstream portion of the North Tributary, Mid-Branch 1 and Mid-Branch 2 provide Contributing (Complex) Habitat with permanent flow being present on Mid-Branch 1. These channels should be afforded Mitigation 1 protection.
Terrestrial and wetland habitats adjacent to headwater drainage features can provide important functions and attributes for the headwater drainage features. As summarized in the Natural Environment Features Existing Conditions Report, the study area is dominated by cultivated lands but does contain some natural heritage features. The areas surrounding the watercourses include active agricultural fields, forests, recently logged areas and developed lands. No ecologically sensitive vegetation species were noted during the site visits in the vicinity of the watercourses assessed.
6.3 Terrestrial Habitat The majority of the study area is dominated by agricultural lands, with cultural meadow vegetation adjacent to the agricultural fields and hedgerows. Remnant forested parcels are to the south of Ottawa Road 174 and along the west and east edges of the site north of Old Montreal Road. On-site forests are located north of Old Montreal Road with remnant deciduous hedgerows remaining along the south edge of the former forest south of Old Montreal Road. The cultural meadow vegetation is principally non-native and/or invasive ground flora. Cultural woodlands and thickets on former agricultural lands are common in the east portion of the site in the tablelands. Deciduous hedgerows are common between the agricultural fields and along the driveway of 1291 Old Montreal Road. No on- site forests are greater than 200 m in width.
6.4 Urban Natural Areas The major natural environment features in the general area are the Cardinal Creek Valley and Petrie Island and Mainland Urban Natural Areas adjacent to the west site boundary. These areas have the Urban Natural Feature designation on Schedule B of the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan. Schedule K of the City’s Official Plan identified unstable slopes along the length of Cardinal Creek and the ‘south’ tributary south of Old Montreal Road. Significant Valleylands and Significant Woodlands have been identified for the Cardinal Creek corridor and the west portion of the ‘south’ tributary corridor, and the forests north of Old Montreal Road in the northeast portion of the site, respectively. The rare vegetation community/landforms for the Cardinal Creek Natural Area include dry-fresh white birch deciduous forests, maple deciduous mineral swamps, dry-fresh white cedar coniferous forests and fresh sugar maple deciduous forests. The majority of the attributes of interest associated with the Petrie Island and Mainland UNA are associated with Petrie Island proper and the Ottawa River shoreline and do not occur adjacent to the site. Components of the Natural Heritage System are identified in Figure 4, below with detailed information regarding terrestrial and aquatic features available in Appendix H.
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6.5 Wetlands There are no Provincially Significant Wetlands within the proposed Cardinal Creek Village. However, it is noted that the Petrie Island Wetlands north of the site are a Provincially Significant Wetland, as well as a Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). An Earth Science ANSI (Karst feature) is found along Cardinal Creek to the west and south of the site.
6.6 Species at Risk and Other Species of Interest A review of the OMNR biodiversity explorer website identified Henslow’s sparrow as potentially occurring in the 10 km square that includes the study area and adjacent lands (18VR63), although this bird was not reported in the two Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas results. Milksnake is a Species of Special Concern reported in the area, and is found in a variety of habitats where mice and other prey are, including farms, rocky slopes and the edges of forests. A review of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas identified the threatened bobolink, eastern meadowlark, barn swallow and chimney swift as well as three species of special concern as occurring in the 10 km square than includes the study area.
Other than barn swallows observed flying over the cultivated fields between Old Montreal Road and the ‘south’ tributary, no other avian Species at Risk were observed during site visits in 2012. No on-site forests are greater than 200 m in width. Barns at 1291 Old Montreal Road were investigated for potential barn swallow nesting with no activity observed. Butternut trees, although relatively common in portions of Ottawa, are endangered. Butternut trees are present in the forests north of Old Montreal Road and as such mitigation measures may be required.
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Figure 4: Components of the Natural Heritage System
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7. References DSEL. July 2013. Master Servicing Study for Cardinal Creek Village – Section 3.9, Existing Municipal Services. Harrison, Richard W. & Associates. November 2012. Tamarack (Queen Street Corp). Official Plan Amendment Submission Planning Rationale – Cardinal Creek Village Area 11 Expansion Area. IBI Group. 8 July 2013. Tamarack (Queen Street) Corporation – Cardinal Creek Village Community Transportation Study. J.F. Sabourin and Associates Inc. 14 December 2012. Cardinal Creek Village – 2012 Surface Water and Rainfall Monitoring Memorandum. Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. Revised February 2013. Existing Conditions Natural Environment Features Cardinal Creek Village. Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. January 2013. Fish Habitat and Fish Community Existing Conditions Report Cardinal Creek Village, Cardinal Creek Tributaries. Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. Revised July 2013. Fish Habitat and Fish Community Headwater Assessment, Cardinal Creek Village, Cardinal Creek Tributaries. Palmer Environmental Consulting Group Inc. 24 June 2013. Site Specific Water Budget Report – Cardinal Creek Village Development (R1). Paterson Group (a). 28 June 2013. Existing Conditions Report: Hydrogeology – Cardinal Creek Village, Ottawa (Cumberland), Ontario. Paterson Group (b). November 2012. Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment Proposed Cardinal Creek Development, Lands North of Old Montreal Rd. Part Lot 25, 26, 27 and 28, Concession 1 in the Geographic Township of Cumberland, Historic County of Russell, Ottawa, Ontario. Paterson Group (c). September 2012. Stage 1 and 2 Archaeological Assessment: Proposed Cardinal Creek Development – Part Lot 28, Concession 1, Geographic Township of Cumberland, Ottawa Ontario. Paterson Group (d). March 2013. Proposed Cardinal Creek Development, Lands South of Old Montreal Rd. Part Lot 25, 26 and 27, and 28 Concession 1 and Part Lot C, D, and E Concession 8 in the Geographic Township of Cumberland, Historic County of Russell, Ottawa, Ontario. Paterson Group (e). 16 July 2013. Geotechnical Investigation, Proposed Cardinal Creek Village Residential/ Commercial Development, Old Montreal Road, Ottawa Ontario. Paterson Group (f). 7 November 2012. Phase I – Environmental Site Assessment: Proposed Cardinal Village Subdivision Lands, Old Montreal Road, Ottawa (Cumberland), Ontario. Paterson Group (g). July 2012. Stage 1 and 2 Archaeological Assessment, Proposed Cardinal Creek Development, Ottawa, Ontario. Parish Geomorphic Ltd. (PGL). 4 April 2013. Cardinal Creek Village – Meander Belt Width Delineation Memo (PGL – Marck Wojda, EIT). Parish Geomorphic Ltd. (PGL). January 2013. Cardinal Creek Village – Erosion Threshold Assessment. Parish Geomorphic Ltd. (PGL). May 2013. Cardinal Creek Village – Erosion Threshold Assessment Main Branch. Worthington Water, Dr. Stephen Worthington. 4 June 2013. Memo RE: Preliminary Evaluation of Karst at Cardinal Creek Village.
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Appendix A: Tamarack (Queen Street) Corporation – Cardinal Creek Village Community Transportation Study (IBI Group, 8 July 2013)
Appendix B: Tamarack (Queen Street Corp.) Official Plan Amendment Submission Planning Rationale – Cardinal Creek Village Area 11 Expansion Area (Richard W. Harrison & Associates, November 2012)
Appendix C: Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment Proposed Cardinal Creek Development, Lands North of Old Montreal Rd. Part Lot 25, 26, 27 and 28, Concession 1 in the Geographic Township of Cumberland, Historic County of Russell, Ottawa, Ontario, (Paterson Group, November 2012). Stage 1 and 2 Archaeological Assessment: Proposed Cardinal Creek Development – Part Lot 28, Geographic Township of Cumberland, Ottawa, Ontario (Paterson Group, September 2012). Proposed Cardinal Creek Development, Lands South of Old Montreal Rd. Part Lot 25, 26 and 27, and 28 Concession 1 and Part Lot C, D, and E Concession 8 in the Geographic Township of Cumberland, Historic County of Russell, Ottawa, Ontario (Paterson Group, March 2013). Stage 1 and 2 Archaeological Assessment, Proposed Cardinal Creek Development, Ottawa, Ontario (Paterson Group, July 2012)
Appendix D: Existing Conditions Report: Hydrogeology – Cardinal Creek Village, Ottawa (Cumberland), Ontario (Paterson Group, 28 June 2013) Memo RE: Evaluation of Karst at Cardinal Creek Village (Worthington Groundwater, Dr. Stephen Worthington, 4 June 2013) Site Specific Water Budget Report – Cardinal Creek Village Development (R1) (Palmer Environmental Consulting, 24 June, 2013)
Appendix E: Phase I – Environmental Site Assessment: Proposed Cardinal Village Subdivision Lands, Old Montreal Road, Ottawa (Cumberland), Ontario (Paterson Group, 7 November 2012)
Appendix F: Geotechnical Investigation, Proposed Cardinal Creek Village Residential/Commercial Development, Old Montreal Road, Ottawa Ontario (Paterson Group, 16 July 2013)
Appendix G: Cardinal Creek Village – Meander Belt Width Delineation Memo (PGL - Mark Wojda, 4 April 2013) Cardinal Creek Village – Erosion Threshold Assessment (PGL, January 2013) Cardinal Creek Village – Erosion Threshold Assessment Main Branch (PGL, May 2013) Cardinal Creek Village – 2012 Surface Water and Rainfall Monitoring Memorandum (J.F. Sabourin and Associates Inc., 14 December 2012)
Appendix H: Existing Conditions Natural Environment Features Cardinal Creek Village. (Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. February 2013) Fish Habitat and Fish Community Existing Conditions Report Cardinal Creek Village, Cardinal Creek Tributaries (Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. January 2013) Fish Habitat and Fish Community Headwater Assessment Report, Cardinal Creek Village, Cardinal Creek Tributaries (Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. July, 2013)