4.0 Planning Strategy

Unifying Vision, Overlying Objectives and Principles

The planning strategy provides a framework for change that will see Richmond Road/Westboro as we know it today become Richmond Road/Westboro as we will know it tomorrow. The strategy starts with a unifying vision, overlying objectives and follows with more specific sectoral strategies that focus on land use and building heights, followed by a streetscape and greenspace strategy, including recreational pathway linkages and the Ottawa River open space network. Zoning provisions and urban design guidelines are then proposed as measures to implement the strategy.

The following unifying vision, overlying objectives and principles for Richmond Road/Westboro, setting out the desired future and broad policy direction for managing growth and achieving the vision over a twenty-year timeframe of the Plan. This section was formulated in consultation with the Planning Advisory Committee and is based on the policy direction of the City of Ottawa Official Plan (2003) and public comments from the three open houses.

This unifying vision derives from four "Guiding Principles". These are:

• Retain all public greenspace; increase greenspace where possible;
• Increase recreational facilities;
• Ensure the area develops in such a way as to ensure that it is pedestrian and cyclist "friendly"; and,
• Preserve scale and character of existing neighbourhoods and ensure compatibility of new development.