1.                   ZONING - 4837 ALBION ROAD

 

ZONAGE - 4837, chemin albion

 

 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED

 

(This application is subject to the provisions of Bill 51.)

 

That Council approve an amendment to the Zoning By-law 2008-250 to change the zoning of 4837 Albion Road from RC4[528r] H(15) to RC4[528r] H(15) to permit 21 gaming tables as detailed in Document 2, and as amended by the following:

 

1.         That if the re-zoning application is approved and once the Province makes a formal announcement that they are implementing 21 gaming tables at the RCRS facility, the City be directed to begin the process of undertaking an ATM Study within the scope of traffic calming solutions as well as traffic managements solutions;

 

2.         That funding for the ATM Study at a cost of $75,000 come from the City of Ottawa One Time Unforeseen account which will be reimbursed with the revenues received from the 21 gaming tables; and,

 

3.         That the City be directed to implement traffic mitigation measures resulting from the ATM Study and that the associated costs from this ATM study be derived from City reserve funds, generated from the 21 gaming tables.

 

 

RECOMMANDATIONS MODIFIÉES DU COMITÉ

 

(Cette application est assujettie aux dispositions du Règlement 51.)

 

Que le Conseil approuve une modification au Règlement de zonage 2008-250 de la Ville d’Ottawa visant à faire passer la désignation de zonage du 4837, chemin Albion, de RC4[528r] H(15) à RC4[528r] H(15), afin de permettre 21 tables de jeu, comme le précise le document 2, tel que modifié comme suit :

 

1.         que si la demande de changement de zonage est approuvée et une fois que la Province aura fait l’annonce officielle de la mise en oeuvre de 21 tables de jeu aux installations RCRS, la Ville recevra instruction de commencer le processus pour amorcer une étude de gestion de la circulation locale en vue de trouver des solutions de modération de la circulation ainsi que des solutions de gestion de la circulation;

 

2.         Que le financement pour l’étude de gestion de la circulation locale dont le coût prévu est de 75 000 $, provienne du compte de réserves pour besoins ponctuels et imprévus de la Ville d’Ottawa, qui sera remboursé grâce aux revenus des 21tables de jeu; et,

 

3.         Que la Ville mette en œuvre les mesures d’atténuation de la circulation qui seront recommandées dans les résultats de l’étude de gestion de la circulation locale et que le paiement des coûts associés de cette étude de gestion de circulation locale soit tiré du fonds de réserve de la Ville, généré par les 21 tables de jeu.

 

 

 

 

 

Documentation

 

1.         Deputy City Manager’s Report, Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability, dated 6 June 2011 (ACS2011-ICS-PGM-0131).

 

2.         Extract of Draft Minutes, 16 June 2011.


Report to/Rapport au :

 

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

Comité d'agriculture et des affaires rurales

 

and Council / et au Conseil

 

06 June 2011 / le 06 juin 2011

 

Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/Directrice municipale adjointe, Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability/Services d’infrastructure et Viabilité des collectivités

 

Contact Person/Personne-ressource : Derrick Moodie, Manager/Gestionnaire, Development Review-Rural Services/Examen des projets d'aménagement-Services ruraux, Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance

(613) 580-2424, 15134  Derrick.Moodie@ottawa.ca

 

Osgoode (20)

Ref N°: ACS2011-ICS-PGM-0131

 

 

SUBJECT:

ZONING - 4837 ALBION ROAD (FILE NO. d02-02-11-0019)

 

 

OBJET :

ZONAGE - 4837, chemin albion

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to the Zoning By-law 2008-250 to change the zoning of 4837 Albion Road from RC4[528r] H(15) to RC4[528r] H(15) to permit 21 gaming tables as detailed in Document 2.

 

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité de l’agriculture et des affaires rurales recommande au Conseil d’approuver une modification au Règlement de zonage 2008-250 de la Ville d’Ottawa visant à faire passer la désignation de zonage du 4837, chemin Albion, de RC4[528r] H(15) à RC4[528r] H(15), afin de permettre 21 tables de jeu, comme le précise le document 2.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The subject site contains the Rideau Carleton Raceway, a horse racing facility.  In addition to its horse racing component, the facility includes gaming services (slot machines), a restaurant, a bingo hall and a venue for musical performances.

 

Purpose of Zoning Amendment

 

The proposal is to expand the range of gaming services to introduce 21 gaming tables to the current facility as a two-year pilot project.  A reorganisation of the gaming floor will be necessary, with no additional floor area, to accommodate the introduction of the gaming tables and keep the number of existing slot machines.  No new development is proposed as part of this amendment.

 

Existing Zoning

 

The existing zoning is Rural Commercial Zone Subzone 4 with Exception - RC4[528r], which permits a casino limited to slot machines.

 

Proposed Zoning

 

The proposed zoning would amend Exception 528r by permitting a casino without limiting the range of gaming services to slot machines. 

 

DISCUSSION

 

Official Plan

 

The site is designated General Rural Area, which supports a variety of uses that are compatible with the rural nature of the area.  The Official Plan states the General Rural Area is intended to provide “A location for those non-agricultural uses that, due to their land requirements or the nature of their operation, would not be more appropriately located within urban or Village locations” (Section 1a).  Further, the Plan goes on to state the General Rural Area is intended “for a limited amount of residential and other rural and tourist service uses…” (Section 1b).

 

The existing facility includes a horse racing track, stables housing the horses, slots, an entertainment venue, bingo hall, and restaurant facilities.  The location of the Rideau Carleton Raceway is consistent with the Official Plan policies which seek to locate operations requiring large tracks of land and the housing of animals to be located in the rural area.  Section 3.6.7 - Major Urban Facilities of the Official Plan includes policies to direct the development of larger facilities that attract large numbers of visitors from within the city as well as the larger regional area.  Owing to the potential impacts on abutting lands, including residential areas, the location of such facilities shall ensure compatibility with neighbouring properties.  The Official Plan does not generally permit Major Urban Facilities within the General Rural Area land use designation. However, Section 3.6.7.4 acknowledges that while Major Urban Facilities are to be located in the Urban Area, “an exhibition ground for the viewing of horse racing, gaming premises as defined in the Gaming Control Act and related uses are also permitted in addition to those uses permitted in the General Rural Area designation…”. This site specific Official Plan policy recognizes the proposed facility as a permitted use on the site and acknowledges it as an established place for gaming which operates in accordance with provincial regulations.  The proposed addition of table gaming will occur in accordance with all provincial legislation and regulations.

 

The proposal to expand the gaming practices on-site to include table gaming is consistent with the general intent of the Official Plan regarding development within the General Rural Area. In addition, the Major Urban Facility policies include a special provision to acknowledge the Rideau Carleton Raceway and associated gaming. The additional table gaming services represent a variation in the use currently permitted on site.

 

Zoning By-law

 

The proposal to expand the gaming practices on-site to include table gaming is consistent with the general intent of the Rural Commercial Zone Subzone 4 with Exception - RC4[528r], which although limiting the range, allows for gaming services. The proposed expansion of gaming services will translate more into a variation in use than a change in use.

 

Although the proposed expanded gaming services will provide additional entertainment services, it will not result in additional impacts and/or issues of compatibility with the neighbouring uses since the facility is already designed to accommodate larger audiences.

 

Staff support the additional use limited to 21 gaming tables as described in Document 2.  This additional use would be subject to compliance with any relevant legislation such as the Ontario Lottery Gaming Act 1999.

 

Traffic

 

Staff has required a Transportation Impact Study to be conducted based on the existing on-site uses including; slot machines, racing track, and events and other activities plus the introduction of the gaming tables.  The Study needed to identify the impact of the existing Rideau Carleton Raceway operation on Albion Road between Lester Road and Bank Street (Blossom Park Community), plus the additional impact of the proposed gaming tables, and determine if mitigation measures are required to address the net traffic increase from the proposed 21 gaming tables.

 

Staff are satisfied with the findings of the study which concluded that the peak hour traffic generated by the proposed 21 gaming tables at the Rideau Carleton Raceway is insignificant compared to existing and projected volumes along the Albion Road corridor.  No additional on-site parking, site driveway modifications, intersection modifications along Albion Road, or road widening is required/triggered by the increased traffic.  With regards to the impact on Blossom Park, the highest projected peak hour volume on Albion Road north of Queensdale was found to be 10 vehicles per hour two-way total, which is equivalent to one additional vehicle on this section of road every six minutes on average. The very infrequent additional traffic will not trigger any modifications or traffic calming on Albion Road through Blossom Park.  Although the increase in traffic is shown to be insignificant, staff is of the opinion that any additional gaming tables other than the 21 proposed under the pilot project should be supported by a revision to Traffic Study.

 

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

CONSULTATION

 

Notice of this application was carried out in accordance with the City's Public Notification and Consultation Policy. 

 

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S)

 

Councillors Thompson (Ward 20) and Desroches (Ward 22) are in support of the proposed rezoning.

 

Councillor Deans (Ward 10) indicated the following:

 

Questions:

·         What is the feasibility of opening a road from Bank Street directly to the Rideau Carleton Entertainment Centre parking lot?

·         What is the current capacity of the existing waste / sewer and water services connecting into 4837 Albion Road?

·         Do we need a review of the Master Servicing Study for the area as a result of this re-zoning and any future growth / expansions in this area?

·         What would the impact be to the pipe capacity if:

o   there are 21 new gaming tables added?

o   there are future increases / building expansions at 4837 Albion Rd?

 

Comments:

·         I ask that City staff along with the transportation consultant for the applicant (Delcan) provide recommended short term solutions to mitigate traffic impacts in Blossom Park (Albion Road from Lester Road to Bank Street) that can be incorporated as conditions of approval for this re-zoning.

·         I am concerned about the cumulative impact of vehicle traffic on the Blossom Park Community. Some of the major impacts include the original application for the Slots and Bingo Hall, the summer 2011 opening of the public access road from Findlay Creek to Albion Road, the 2012 opening of the Strandherd Armstrong Bridge, the proposed advancement of infrastructure road widening including Bank Street, Albion Road, and Earl Armstrong Road.

·         As a long term measure I ask that City staff explore all means to include an Albion Road By-Pass as part of the infrastructure network for this area.

·         I ask that the City of Ottawa conduct a citywide consultation after the two year pilot project and prior to any new expansions or applications for the site at 4837 Albion Road. I believe the citizens of Ottawa should have input in to where they would like to see future gaming tables located in the City of Ottawa, if at all.

 


I request the following condition of approval be added:

·         That the zoning limit the number of gaming tables to 21 at the 4837 Albion Road site thus meeting the intent of the pilot project and requiring a future re-zoning for any further expansion.

 

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

 

Should this matter be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board, it is estimated that a three to four‑day hearing would result. If the recommendation is adopted, it is expected that the hearing could be conducted from within staff resources.  If the recommendation is refused, reasons must be provided. Should the matter be appealed to the Board, it would be necessary to retain external planning and transportation witnesses. It is expected that the cost of retaining these witnesses would be in the range of $40,000 to $50,000.

 

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no risks implications associated with this report.

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no direct financial implications.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

TECHNOLOGY IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

 

N/A

 

APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE STATUS

 

This application was processed by the "On Time Decision Date" established for the processing of Zoning By-law amendment applications.

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1    Location Map

Document 2    Details of Recommended Zoning

Document 3    Consultation Details

 

DISPOSITION

 

City Clerk and Solicitor Department, Legislative Services to notify the owner, applicant, OttawaScene.com, 174 Colonnade Road, Unit #33, Ottawa, ON  K2E 7J5, Ghislain Lamarche, Program Manager, Assessment, Financial Services Branch (Mail Code:  26-76) of City Council’s decision.

 

Planning and Growth Management to prepare the implementing by-law, forward to Legal Services and undertake the statutory notification.

 

Legal Services to forward the implementing by-law to City Council.


LOCATION MAP                                                                                                DOCUMENT 1

 

 

DETAILS OF RECOMMENDED ZONING                                                    DOCUMENT 2

 

Proposed Changes to the Comprehensive Zoning By-law

 

1.  Amend Part 15 - Rural Exceptions to:

 

 a. delete the wording “limited to slot machines” in column III of exception 528r,

 b. add  the words “limited to slot machines and a maximum of 21 gaming tables to column IV of exception 528,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

CONSULTATION DETAILS                                                                             DOCUMENT 3

 

NOTIFICATION AND CONSULTATION PROCESS

 

Notification and public consultation was undertaken in accordance with the Public Notification and Public Consultation Policy approved by City Council for Zoning By-law amendments.  One community information session was held on May 11, 2011 in the community.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Residents of Blossom Park have indicated their opposition to any increase in traffic through their community, therefore to the proposed rezoning.  They have also asked if there is road improvement plan to absorb traffic increase, such as a By-pass or/and widening of existing roads in the area.

 

Residents to the south of Blossom Park and along Bank Street have indicated their support to the proposed rezoning

 

COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSION

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Members of the public were concerned that a motion in support of the proposed rezoning had been adopted by Council without consulting the community.

 

Members of the public questioned the extent of the Transportation Impact Study submitted in support of the Application indicating that it should have also covered the impact on roads south of the subject site.

 

Members of the public wanted to know what will be the impact on traffic of the latest phase of the Finley Creek development.

 

Members of the public wanted to know what were the short and long term solutions being considered by the City to address the traffic issue through the Blossom Park Community.

 

Members of the public raised moral issues with regards to gambling addiction.  They were also wondering if the overall community was in support of it.

 

Members of the public wanted to know if the financial/economic/costs on infrastructures impacts were beneficial to the City.

 

Members of the public were concerned with the number of tables being increased to more than 21 tables, as proposed under the pilot project.

 

 

 

 

CONSULTANT RESPONSE

 

The 21 gaming tables are estimated to generate approximately 15% more traffic than the Rideau Carleton Raceway currently generates during the four peak periods.

 

There is no reason why the impact to the south of the subject site has not been covered under the Transportation Impact Study.

 

There are options to absorb/divert traffic through the Blossom Park Community, such as the widening to four lanes of Albion Road and Lester Road, and a By-pass.

 

Data collected by the City before the traffic restriction through Blossom Park and after its lifting showed that there had been no traffic increase.

 

Background traffic increase is inevitable with suburban development.

 

RESPONSES FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL/CITY STAFF

 

The proposed pilot project would have normally gone through FEDCO.

 

Ways to divert traffic are being looked at.  The Transportation Master plan has in its priority list improvements of roads in the area, which will help absorb and divert traffic.

 

Part of the money generated by the pilot project should be put aside to absorb its impacts to the City.

 

There are networks to help people with addiction problems.

 

Limiting the number of tables under the proposed rezoning would require for any future expansion to go through the rezoning process again.

 

RESPONSES TO COUNCILLOR DEAN’S COMMENTS:

 

An access to Bank Street is also an acceptable possible option.

 

The existing on-site sanitary sewage pumping station is designed for 20 litres per second.  The flow is directed first into a wet well then pumped into a sanitary forced main which discharges into a sewer at Earl Armstrong Road.  Sewage flow generated by additional clientele using the 21 gaming tables will be accommodated in the existing sanitary system(wet well, pump and forced main).

 

If a building expansion was proposed, then would require the Applicant to revise the master servicing study and the design of the sanitary pumping station.

 

Response to Councillor Deans’s comments:

 

An access to Bank Street is also an acceptable possible option.

 

The existing on-site sanitary sewage pumping station is designed for 20 litres per second.  The flow is directed first into a wet well then pumped into a sanitary forced main which discharges into a sewer at Earl Armstrong Road.  Sewage flow generated by additional clientele using the 21 gaming tables will be accommodated in the existing sanitary system(wet well, pump and forced main).

 

If a building expansion was proposed, then would require the Applicant to revise the master servicing study and the design of the sanitary pumping station.

 

 



            ZONING - 4837 ALBION ROAD

ZONAGE - 4837, chemin albion

ACS2011-ICS-PGM-0131                                                                    Osgoode (20)

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to the Zoning By-law 2008-250 to change the zoning of 4837 Albion Road from RC4[528r] H(15) to RC4[528r] H(15) to permit 21 gaming tables as detailed in Document 2.

 

Mr. Steve Gauthier, Planner, Development Review Unit, Rural Services Branch (East), Planning and Growth Management (PGM), Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability (ISCS), spoke to a brief PowerPoint slide presentation which served to provide the Committee with an overview of the staff report.  A copy of the presentation is held on file with the City Clerk.

 

The Committee heard from Chair Thompson, who spoke of attending a public meeting with Councillor Deans, where the Blossom Park community had been apprised of this issue.  Councillor Deans spoke to the issue of cumulative traffic concerns for the community from the addition of the gaming tables, and introduced the following Motion that she requested Councillor Blais to move on her behalf.

 

MOTION No. ARA 10/1

 

Moved by Councillor S. Blais:

 

WHEREAS the Rideau Carleton Raceway and Slots (RCRS) is seeking zoning approval from the City of Ottawa to allow for a two-year pilot project to add 21 gaming tables to the RCRS facility; and

 

WHEREAS there are numerous current and upcoming cumulative impacts of vehicle traffic on the Blossom Park community including, the summer 2011 opening of the public access road from Findlay Creek to Albion Road, the 2012 opening of the Strandherd Armstrong Bridge, the proposed advancement of infrastructure road widening including Bank Street, Albion Road, and Earl Armstrong Road; and

 

WHEREAS the March 10, 2011 Council approved motion (motion no.9/10) stated that the re-zoning application identify the traffic impact of the RCRS existing uses as well as the proposed 21 gaming table operations on the residential road network in the Blossom Park Community (Albion Road between Bank Street and Lester Road) and identify short- and long-term mitigation measures for implementation; and

 

WHEREAS the motion further stated that revenue generated from the pilot project for RCRS operation of the 21 gaming tables over and above the base year 2010 be deposited to a city reserve account and as a first priority funds be used to address mitigation measures; and

 

WHEREAS City of Ottawa staff in our Transportation Planning Branch have recommended a supplemental Area Traffic Management Study (ATM) prior to implementing traffic mitigation measures;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT if the re-zoning application is approved and once the Province makes a formal announcement that they are implementing 21 gaming tables at the RCRS facility, the City be directed to begin the process of undertaking an ATM Study within the scope of traffic calming solutions as well as traffic managements solutions; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT funding for the ATM Study at a cost of $75,000 come from the City of Ottawa One Time Unforeseen account which will be reimbursed with the revenues received from the 21 gaming tables; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City be directed to implement traffic mitigation measures resulting from the ATM Study and that the associated costs from this ATM Study be derived from City reserve funds, generated from the 21 gaming tables.

 

Following Committee discussion, the report recommendations, as amended by Motion ARA 10/1 and set out below, were then put to Committee:

 

That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to the Zoning By-law 2008-250 to change the zoning of 4837 Albion Road from RC4[528r] H(15) to RC4[528r] H(15) to permit 21 gaming tables as detailed in Document 2, and as amended by the following:

 

1.         That if the re-zoning application is approved and once the Province makes a formal announcement that they are implementing 21 gaming tables at the RCRS facility, the City be directed to begin the process of undertaking an ATM Study within the scope of traffic calming solutions as well as traffic managements solutions;

 

2.         That funding for the ATM Study at a cost of $75,000 come from the City of Ottawa One Time Unforeseen account which will be reimbursed with the revenues received from the 21 gaming tables; and,

 

3.         That the City be directed to implement traffic mitigation measures resulting from the ATM Study and that the associated costs from this ATM study be derived from City reserve funds, generated from the 21 gaming tables.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED