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Document 1

Earl Armstrong Road Extension (Albion Road to Hawthorne Road) Environmental Assessment Study – Statement of Work

1.0 Introduction

The City of is the proponent of a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Schedule C study to examine the extension of Earl Armstrong Road from Albion Road to Hawthorne Road. This Statement of Work (SOW) describes the City’s intentions with respect to the scope, methodology and deliverables of the EA Study.

2.0 Planning Context

The 2013 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) identifies the extension of Earl Armstrong Road from Albion Road to Hawthorne Road in the Network Concept Plan. Although the timing for the road extension is planned for beyond year 2031, development in the area is encroaching on the City’s ultimate plan and a study is required to identify the right-of- way requirements and protect the corridor. This study will be conducted as a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Schedule C in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act.

Earl Armstrong is an east-west arterial road that starts from the /River Road intersection and extends easterly through the neighbourhoods of Riverside South and Leitrim, terminating at High Road. High Road continues in the south-east direction to Albion Road, providing linkage between Earl Armstrong Road and Albion Road near the Rideau Carleton Raceway and Casino site. The future two-lane extension of Earl Armstrong Road between Albion Road and Hawthorne Road will provide capacity for growth in Riverside South and Leitrim communities and complete the linkage to Hawthorne Road. The future extension would also complement the planned widening of Earl Armstrong Road from two to four lanes between Limebank Road and Bowesville Road.

Although the EA’s study area is primarily within the rural area, it includes the southern edge of the Leitrim Development Area between Albion Road and , where the Remer and Idone Lands are located. The Remer Lands (4800 Bank Street) Draft Plan of Subdivision received approval in 2005 for a residential subdivision development, for which approval was extended to 2017. In 2012, as per Official Plan Amendment 76, the Leitrim Development Area was increased by 87.2 ha and divided into Urban Expansion Areas 8a, 9a and 9b. The Leitrim Development Area 8a, known as Idone 2

Lands (4840 Bank Street) forms the southern urban boundary. In 2014, the owners of Idone Lands were informed by the then General Manager, Planning and Growth Management Department, that the draft plan approval process for their lands would not have to consider an alignment for Earl Armstrong Road. This signaled that the Earl Armstrong extension between Albion Road and Bank Street would for the most part be located south of the urban area boundary.

The EA study area also includes the Rideau Carleton Raceway (4837 Albion Road) site, which has plans for future redevelopment and expansion. On May 15, 2017 the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation announced that Hard Rock International will be the new operator of the gambling facility. The new joint venture between the Raceway and Hard Rock would lead to the redevelopment and expansion of the current Albion Road facility into Hard Rock Casino Ottawa. At the August 28, 2013 City of Ottawa Council meeting, motion 59/3 was passed, specifying that the proponent for any new or expanded gaming facility at the Rideau Carleton Raceway will be required to undertake a comprehensive Community Transportation Study (CTS). This study is to help in the assessment of impacts to adjacent communities and propose mitigation measures as necessary as part of any development application. The proponent will also be required to develop a transit service plan as part of the development application. Furthermore, the proponent would have to fund any costs to accelerate any projects proposed in the Transportation Master Plan or any other projects that may be identified and deemed appropriate as a result of the CTS. Given this Council direction, the Hard Rock International and Rideau Carleton Raceway are expected to prepare the CTS as part of their development application, which is a separate process from the Earl Armstrong Extension EA Study. The only connection with the EA study would be related to corridor protection should the roadway extension be located on Rideau Carleton Raceway lands.

A segment of the study area between Albion Road and Bank Street includes a number of identified wetland areas, including the Casino Wetland and Leitrim Wetland that are Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSW). These PSWs require certain buffers (No Touch Zone and Limited Use Zone) in relation to the Remer Lands, Idone Lands, Rideau Carleton Raceway (RCR) and any other potential developments and site alterations. The Earl Armstrong Road extension may impact the RCR site in order to avoid sensitive lands. However, the EA study will strive to have minimum impact on the RCR redevelopment while also enhancing access to and drainage of the site. 3

The lands between Bank Street and Hawthorne Road will likely require a comprehensive inventory of the natural environment and an ecological land classification, given there is limited information available at this time.

The EA study will identify and protect a corridor for the future Earl Armstrong Road extension, allowing the City to respond effectively to development applications in this area. A protected corridor provides the opportunity to request the land be transferred to the City at no cost as a condition of development approval. The study limits will extend from Albion Road to Hawthorne Road, north to Blais Road and south to Rideau Road to allow for a sufficient range of alternatives to be examined. The study area is primarily within the general rural area and rural natural features area. It also includes wetlands, limestone resource area and sand and gravel resource area. The study area is not within the NCC Greenbelt. The study area is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Earl Armstrong Road Study Area

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3.0 Project Scope and Major Tasks

3.1 Study Area

The study area (Figure 1) includes Blais Road to the north, Rideau Road to the south, Albion Road to the west and Hawthorne Road to the east. This ensures a reasonable range of alternatives can be developed and assessed. However, some tasks will require examination of a broader area beyond these limits to address environmental impacts, operational issues and to coordinate with relevant on-going studies and projects.

3.2 Coordination with Existing and Concurrent Studies

The EA study will take into consideration relevant completed studies as well as analysis and preliminary findings of ongoing transportation, development and infrastructure projects that could influence the direction and/or conclusions of the Study. These include:

 Leitrim Road Realignment and Widening (River Road to Bank Street) EA Study (in progress);

Extension Planning and EA Study (2016);

 Bank Street Widening (Leitrim Road to Rideau Road) EA Study (2014);

 Limebank Road EA Study (2003);

 Leitrim Community Design Plan (2005);

 Riverside South Community Design Plan (2016 update);

 Environmental Management Plan for Leitrim Remer and Idone Lands (2016);

 Leitrim Development Area Updated Serviceability Report (OPA 76 Lands 8a, 9a and 9b) (2016);

 Ottawa International Airport planning documents, including the Airport Master Plan (2008) and Urban Design Plan (2013);

 Current development applications and associated studies, including the approved Remer Lands Draft Plan of Subdivision, as well as the Idone Lands Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-Law Amendment application; 5

 Future development application and associated studies for the Rideau Carleton Raceway expansion;

 Leitrim Community Master Transportation Study (2017) prepared for the Leitrim Owners Group; and,

 Official Plan Amendment #180 regarding growth projections, employment lands and agricultural lands review.

3.3 Major Tasks

Key tasks for this EA study include the following:

 Confirmation of the future east-west transportation demand in the southern part of the City;

 Development of corridor options to address travel demand;

 Application of the complete streets framework and multi-modal level of service analysis within the context of the land use;

 Assessment of walking and cycling infrastructure requirements and connections;

 Operational assessment of key intersections within the study area;

 Assessment and evaluation of environmental implications:

o Wetlands, natural environment areas and features;

o Geotechnical conditions;

o Stormwater management and hydrology;

o The rural character of the area; and,

o Adjacent land use and effects on existing and future communities.

 Development of mitigation measures;

 Development of a Recommended Plan for the roadway extension (including functional design);

 Identification of capital and operating costs for implementation; 6

 Consultation with community groups and stakeholders;

 Documentation; and,

 Follow-up during the 30-day public review of the Environmental Study Report with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) as required.

4.0 Planning and Environmental Assessment

The EA study comprises of the following tasks:

4.1 Need and Justification

Although the Earl Armstrong Road extension has been identified in the TMP, a review of assumptions and confirmation of the need for additional east-west arterial capacity is required. This exercise will be carried out by forecasting travel demand for the south end of the City and determining both existing and future needs for a facility with respect to the impact on north-south travel demand/distribution, economic benefits and links to major employment destinations. In addition, the study will identify current and projected transportation problems and opportunities within the study area.

4.2 Environmental Inventory/Existing Conditions

An inventory of the existing social, cultural, economic, physical and natural environments within the study area will be compiled. This inventory will consider all available background material and will be supplemented by on-site surveys and/or detailed studies. The inventory must be detailed enough to enable the analysis of effects arising from alternatives considered in this study.

In general, the inventory will identify and describe those aspects of the environment that could potentially affect, or be affected by, the undertaking. Some of the specific aspects of the environment associated with this project include:

 Effects on green spaces, natural areas and rural land use;

 Adjacent private property and neighbouring communities;

 Current and future transit, pedestrian, cycling and recreational pathway corridors/routes;

 Current stormwater drainage patterns;

 Subsurface (geotechnical) conditions; 7

 Heritage and archaeological conditions;

 Utilities including water, sanitary, hydro, gas, cable, phone and fibre optic; and,

 Noise and vibration.

The complete inventory will be clearly described and documented within the Environmental Study Report (ESR).

4.3 Develop Alternative Options

The study will identify and examine a reasonable range of alternatives for the extension of Earl Armstrong Road from Albion Road to Hawthorne Road. Key components of this stage include:

 Identify alternative options to address transportation problems, including:

o Do nothing;

o Expand and enhance public transit service, including Park and Ride facilities, to/from the south suburban areas;

o Expand and enhance pedestrian and cycling routes;

o Implement transportation demand management (TDM) measures to reduce travel demand; and,

o Widen or improve other arterial roadways in the east-west direction.

 Analyze and evaluate alternative options and select the preferred solution. The preferred solution may involve a combination of alternative options.

The travel-forecasting component included in this stage of the EA must:

 Identify the needs for all modes of transportation (walking, cycling, transit, auto and truck);

 Incorporate the principles (e.g., mode share targets) of the current Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan in balancing demand to capacity;

 Incorporate the principles of Multi-Modal Level of Service to provide facilities for all modes within the context of the adjacent land use; and, 8

 Provide supporting analysis and recommendations for the staging of construction and alternative or supporting infrastructure.

4.4 Develop Design Alternatives

The study will identify and evaluate various design alternatives for the preferred solution. Alignment and cross-section design alternatives will be identified based on consideration of constraints within the study area, input from the public and approval agencies, landowners, as well as accepted guidelines, standards and practices. All proposed designs will include associated modifications to existing road crossings and connections (public or private) if required.

The various design alternatives will consider:

 Transportation performance in terms of access and connectivity to the road, transit, pedestrian, and cycling networks;

 Geotechnical considerations;

 Stormwater management;

 Grade separations and structural general arrangements;

 Utility location and relocations;

 Noise and vibration;

 Operational considerations;

 Constructability and staging; and,

 Landscaping and urban design features where appropriate.

Additional field investigations, surveys, test pits and boreholes will be taken as necessary to document the scope and potential impact of the design alternatives.

4.5 Evaluation Criteria and Evaluation Process

The evaluation criteria and methodology will be developed to assess the potential effects of each alternative option and the alternative alignments of the preferred solution. Mitigation measures and associated implications, such as cost of mitigation, will be identified and considered in the evaluation process. The study will clearly identify the initial impacts of each option as well as the net post-mitigation effects and 9 enhancement opportunities using quantifiable indicators and measures wherever possible. To ensure that all impacts are appropriately evaluated, the following issues will be addressed:

 Transportation Service and Existing Infrastructure:

o Impact on road, transit, pedestrian and cycling network; and,

o Impact on utilities and existing infrastructure.

 Natural Environment:

o Impact on green space and rural and urban natural environment;

o Impact on groundwater and surface stormwater drainage;

o Impact of contaminated lands; and,

o Impact on limestone, sand and gravel resource areas.

 Social Environment:

o Impact on adjacent land uses;

o Impact on air quality;

o Impact on noise and vibration levels;

o Heritage and archaeological matters; and,

o Urban design including landscape and streetscape plans.

 Economic Environment:

o Capital and operating costs.

4.6 Recommended Plan

Following the evaluation of alternative solutions and after determining all necessary mitigation measures to minimize the adverse impacts of the project, a technically preferred plan will be developed.

This Recommended Plan will include but is not limited to:

 A detailed written description of the undertaking including the design parameters; 10

 Functional design drawings (1:500 scale, plan and profile) for the preferred alignments with geo-referenced horizontal alignment; vertical profile; grading; drainage; and property envelopes;

 Cross-section drawings for typical sections as well as critical areas;

 Landscape and urban design plans;

 Storm water management requirements;

 Property needs/acquisition plan;

 Implementation/staging plan and preliminary detour plan during construction;

 Mitigation plan; and,

 Project cost estimate.

4.7 Costing

Developing an accurate project budget is an essential component of this study since it will contribute to the City’s short and long range capital budget forecasting and development charges strategy. The project estimates will be developed using a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) format in current dollars, and include contingency allowances, as well as cost for detouring during construction. Cost estimating will follow the City Council’s approved Project Delivery Review process.

4.8 Project Deliverables

The deliverables for the study include:

 Forecast travel demand modelling and analysis;

 Environmental Inventory/Existing Conditions Report;

 Geotechnical Report;

 Noise, Vibration and Air Quality Report;

 Functional design drawings (1:500 scale) of the Recommended Plans, including plans and profiles for recommended alignments, structure general arrangement drawings, utility relocation details, stormwater management plans, landscape design plans, supporting infrastructure; 11

 Clearly defined property requirements;

 Project Implementation/Staging Plan, which will identify all future approval requirements including those for property acquisitions and easements and other property related matters;

 Project capital and operating cost estimates;

 Project web page information in accessible format;

 Written and graphical content for all public notices; presentation materials and handouts for the Open Houses, Consultation Groups and stakeholder meetings

 Consultation Summary Report;

 Draft and Final Ontario Environmental Study Report (ESR) to document the study process, activities and findings in support of the Recommended Plan; and,

 An Executive Summary which will be translated and in accessible format.

4.9 Environmental Study Report

The final ESR, incorporating all pertinent comments, will be prepared and placed on public record for a minimum 30-day review period. An FTP site for the public to access and download the ESR will be made available during the 30-day review period.

4.10 Timing

The study is expected to be completed within approximately 18 months from award of the contract.

5.0 Consultation

Consultation will involve stakeholders, City Advisory Committees, community groups, property owners, businesses, approval agencies, Indigenous People, and special interest groups. Early in the study process, stakeholders will be identified through consultation with Ward Councillors.

The consultation strategy will consist of meetings with key stakeholders through an Agency Consultation Group (ACG), Business Consultation Group (BCG), Public Consultation Group (PCG), and the general public through Open Houses. The membership, roles and responsibilities of each Consultation Group will be defined prior 12 to the first meeting. Specific aspects of the consultation program are summarized below.

5.1 Agency Consultation Group

An Agency Consultation Group (ACG) will be formed to address the full range of technical issues and to comment on all of the special studies required to fully assess the various alternatives. The ACG will also ensure that the City is following the procedures, legislation and addressing appropriate policies. Members will include representatives primarily from government agencies and approval bodies. The ACG will meet at key stages throughout the study. Direct one-on-one consultation with other Agency groups may be necessary as specific issues arise during the course of the study.

5.2 Business Consultation Group

A Business Consultation Group (BCG) will be formed to enable business owners and private sector property owners to inform and provide input to the study, advising and commenting on local economic and business issues and concerns.

5.3 Public Consultation Group

A Public Consultation Group (PCG) will be formed to enable community groups, special interest groups, the City’s Advisory Committees, and adjacent property owners to provide direct input to the study, advising and commenting on local issues and concerns.

5.4 Indigenous People

The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada will be contacted to review any Indigenous People issues or ongoing claims within the study area. Recognizing the federal role in this regard, the EA study will ensure appropriate coordination with federal authorities pursuant to the federal guidelines on “Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation” (March 2011 update). Direct consultation with affected Indigenous People will also be carried out as appropriate.

5.5 Notifications

The public will be notified of the EA Study commencement, all Public Open Houses (POHs), and the submission of the ESR for Ministry approval. Notifications will be sent out at appropriate stages in the Study, and each announcement will take the following forms: 13

 Advertisements in local community newspapers (EMC, Le Droit); and,

 The project web site on the City’s web portal.

Additional notifications will be undertaken, as required, in accordance with provincial EA regulations.

5.6 Open Houses

A minimum of two Open Houses will be held to present and obtain feedback on:

 Existing conditions;

 Alternative corridor options;

 Results of the evaluation process; and,

 Recommended plan.

Bilingual staff will be present during all Open House meetings and all material presented at these meetings will be available in both official languages.

5.7 Project Mailing List

A Master Mailing List for the project will be established and updated throughout the course of the project. The Mailing List will be updated via Open House attendance, general enquires, e-mails and other forms of consultation.

5.8 Project Web Page

A Project Information Web Page will be established for this study on the City’s website. The purpose of the Web Page will be to inform the public of the progress and interim findings of the study and upcoming meetings or activities, and to provide a point of access for public consultation and feedback. The web information will conform to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

To assist in providing information to the public, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) will be prepared to provide answers to common questions raised during the study. The FAQ document will be established early in the study process and will be updated regularly. It will also be posted on the project web site. 14

5.9 Transportation Committee and Council Meetings

The final study findings will be presented to Transportation Committee and Council for approval.