Open House #1

Exhibit 1: Welcome

Welcome to the first Public Open House and Presentation for the Western LRT Corridor: Bayview to Baseline Station (WLRTC) Planning and Environmental Study.

This Public Open House and Presentation is one of several opportunities for public involvement during the study.

The project study team is here tonight to discuss the planning work that has occurred to date. The project study team is comprised of:

• The City of Ottawa, Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability
• The National Capital Commission
• A multi-disciplinary consulting team, led by:
• Delcan Corporation, with the assistance of:
  • McCormick Rankin Corporation
  • Joint Venture of Griffiths Rankin Cook Architects and David S. McRobie Architects
  • Golder Associates
  • Gradient Micro Climate Engineering
  • Metropolitan Knowledge International
  • Altus Group
  • Muncaster Environmental Planning

Exhibit 2: What We Expect From You Tonight

Tonight is an opportunity to learn about the study and ask questions of the project team members

We are also seeking your comments on the work undertaken to date:

• Need and Justification
• Existing Conditions
• Planning Objectives and Supporting Criteria
• Alternative Rapid Transit Corridors
• Proposed Corridor Evaluation Methodology

Please identify any issues and concerns that you would like to see addressed during the study

Please fill out a Comment-Questionnaire. Leave it in the box provided, or return it to us by fax or mail by

6 December 2010. Comments can also be submitted by email to westernLRT@ottawa.ca

Your views and contributions are important to the success of this project!

Exhibit 3: Study Area

Exhibit 4: Study Process

The Study will follow a two-step process:

• A Planning and Functional Design Stage (underway) to determine the rapid transit corridor, alignment, station locations and layouts as well as addressing local planning issues
• An Environmental Assessment Stage to meet the requirements of the provincial Transit Project Assessment Process and the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
• At the end of each stage the study findings will be presented to the City's Transit Committee, and to City Council

Exhibit 5: Study Process (French Text)

Exhibit 6: Study Schedule

Exhibit 7: Consultation

Effective consultation will play a key role in the success of this project. Consultation with the following groups is occurring throughout the study:

Agency Consultation Group (ACG)

The ACG is comprised of representatives from:

Federal

• Agriculture Canada
• Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
• Canadian Transportation Agency
• Environment Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Health Canada
• Infrastructure Canada
• National Capital Commission
• Natural Resources Canada
• Parks Canada
• Public Works and Government Services Canada
• Transport Canada

Provincial

• Ministry of Natural Resources
• Ontario Ministry of Culture
• Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
• Ontario Ministry of the Environment
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation

Municipal

• City of Gatineau
• City of Ottawa
• OC Transpo
• Société de transport de l'Outaouais

Other

• Algonquins of Ontario
• Bell Canada
• Enbridge
• Hydro One Networks Inc.
• Hydro Ottawa Ltd.
• Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
• Rogers Cable
• Transport Action Canada

Business Consultation Group (BCG)

The BCG is comprised of representatives from:

• Algonquin College
• Barrhaven BIA
• Bentall Real Estate Service
• Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
• Carleton University
• Carlingwood Shopping Centre
• Canadian Federation of Independent Business
• Colonnade Development
• French Catholic School Board
• Kanata Chamber of Commerce
• Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre
• National Capital Business Alliance
• Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)
• Ottawa Catholic School Board
• Ottawa Chamber of Commerce
• Ottawa Civic Hospital
• Ottawa French Public School Board
• Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA)
• Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority
• Preston Street BIA
• Royal Ottawa Hospital
• Wellington West BIA
• Westboro Village BIA
• Westgate Shopping Centre

Public Consultation Group (PCG)

The PCG is comprised of representatives from:

City of Ottawa Advisory Committees

• Accessibility Advisory Committee
• Arts, Heritage and Culture Advisory Committee
• Environmental Advisory Committee
• Ottawa Built Heritage Advisory Committee
• Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee
• Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee
• Roads and Cycling Advisory Committee
• Social Services Advisory Committee

Community Associations

• Ambleside One, CCC #28
• Ambleside Two, CCC #43
• Briarbrook-Morgan's Grant Community Association
• Carlingwood Community Association
• Centretown Citizens Community Association
• Champlain Park Community Association
• City Centre Coalition
• Dalhousie Community Association
• Glabar Park Community Alliance
• Glebe CA Community Association
• Glen Cairn Community Association
• Hampton Iona Community Group
• Heron Park Community Association
• Hintonburg Community Association
• Island Park Community Association
• Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association
• Kanata Lakes Community Association
• Kanata Town Centre Community Association
• Lincoln Heights-Parkway Community Association
• McKellar Park Community Association
• Old Ottawa South Community Association
• Queensway Terrace North Community Association
• Wellington Village Community Association
• West Barrhaven Community Association
• Westboro Beach Community Association
• Westboro Community Association
• Woodpark Community Association
• Whitehaven Community Association
• Woodroffe North Community Association

Special Interest Groups

• Access Now
• Citizens for Safe Cycling
• Federation of Citizens Associations of Ottawa-Carleton
• Greenspace Alliance
• Kanata Transit & Transportation Advisory Committee
• Save the Parkway
• The Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa

General Public

The General Public will have the opportunity to build awareness, knowledge and understanding of the study through:

• Public Open Houses and Presentations (5)
• Media Coverage
• Newspaper Notices
• Study Reports
• Comment-Questionnaires
• Written Submissions
• Study Website and Email

Additional Consultation

City of Ottawa Transit Committee

• Interim reports and final study recommendations will be presented to Transit Committee, and City Council, for approval
• An opportunity for public input is provided at the Committee meeting

NCC Advisory Committee on Planning, Design and Realty (ACPDR)

• This committee, composed of planners, architects and landscape architects representing each Canadian province, provides expert advice on Capital planning related issues

Exhibit 8: Study Overview

• The City of Ottawa is proceeding with the preparation of a Planning and Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the expansion and improvement of its rapid transit network to accommodate existing and future demand
• The key goals for this study are to:
  • Undertake a review of the transit ridership forecasts and network assumptions contained in the 2008 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update to determine the appropriate rapid transit service for the study area
  • Complete a planning study to determine the preferred alignment for an LRT facility that will support the urban development and land use objectives identified in the Official Plan and Community Design Plans, and the (TMP) mode split targets, as well as relevant provincial and federal plans, strategies and policies
  • Coordinate federal and provincial EA requirements and document the project's impacts on the environment, including any mitigation necessary to offset any negative impacts
  • Reach and proactively consult all stakeholders and the public during the planning and environmental assessment phases so they can effectively contribute to the decision-making process
• The study area highlights consideration of:
  • The role of Tunney's Pasture Station as either a temporary or permanent terminus for LRT
  • The potential role and function of Bayview Station as a transfer station between LRT, BRT and interprovincial rapid transit services
  • The role and function of Lincoln Fields station as a transfer station between BRT and LRT, and;
  • The ability to accommodate BRT and LRT services in a single rapid transit corridor between Lincoln Fields and Baseline Stations

Exhibit 9: Relationship between this Study and Other Rapid Transit Projects/Studies

Exhibit 10: Need and Justification: Framework

• The Official Plan emphasizes urban intensification and increased mixed-use development centered on rapid transit to address travel demand and to discourage single occupancy vehicle use
• To support this strategy, the updated 2008 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) sets a 30% transit mode split goal for 2031
• The TMP identified an expanded rapid transit network as a key component to achieving this objective
• The recommended TMP rapid transit network was approved by City Council in November 2008 and forms the basis for the need and justification for the proposed WLRTC project
• Within the WLRTC study area, the TMP identified the need for two LRT corridors west of the downtown:
  • A primary rapid transit (LRT) corridor between Bayview and Baseline stations to be implemented as part of Phase 1 of the TMP
  • A supplementary LRT corridor along Carling Avenue to be implemented as part of Phase 2 of the TMP
• This study will re-assess the findings of the TMP Update in order to determine the appropriate rapid transit solution within the WLRTC study area and identify the best corridor or corridors for rapid transit (LRT) between Bayview and Baseline stations
• Any supplementary transit corridor or corridors identified through the WLRTC study will be subject to a further Planning and Environmental Assessment Study

Exhibit 11: Need and Justification: Preliminary Findings

• Transit modeling was undertaken using the City's regional transportation model (TRANS) to predict the implications of various rapid transit scenarios on future transit demand for the year 2031
• Preliminary results suggest:
  • There is sufficient demand for a single primary rapid transit corridor between Bayview and Baseline stations
  • The major trade-off in determining the best route is between travel times for longer distance commuters and serving local travel demand:
    • During peak hours, the majority of transit ridership through the study area will be made up of longer distance commuters traveling to and from downtown Ottawa
    • While all travellers are conscious of travel time, longer-distance commuters are more likely to choose other modes if transit is slower
    • Serving both regional and local travel demand increases overall transit ridership and could allow for a single corridor serving both primary and supplementary roles
  • A direct rapid transit connection to Tunney's Pasture is important, particularly for those traveling from east of the study area
    • Not serving Tunney's Pasture with a direct LRT connection results in increased transfers and longer travel times to this important destination
    • Additional modeling work will be undertaken as part of the evaluation of alternative corridors, using updated land use planning assumptions

Exhibit 12-15: Social Environment (maps)

Exhibit 16-17: Physical Environment

Exhibit 18: Planning Objectives and Supporting Criteria Development

• Planning Objectives and supporting Criteria for the WLRTC study have been identified to guide the development and evaluation of alternative rapid transit corridors
• Planning objectives were developed in collaboration with the consultation groups at a planning workshop held in October, 2010. The objectives reflect the priorities, sensitivity to various environmental resources, needs and matters of interest in the WLRTC study to allow for the development of reasonable corridors
• More specific criteria were defined by the consultation groups to support the objectives of the study

Exhibit 19: Planning Objectives and Supporting Criteria

Promote Smart Growth

• Transit-oriented development opportunities
• City building opportunities
• Integrated station development opportunities

Compatibility with Adjacent Communities

• Integration of LRT with community
• Operating impacts
• Business development
• Air quality, noise and vibration
• Construction impacts

Protect Historical, Cultural and Archaeological Resources

• Views, vistas and public open space
• Heritage conservation
• Cultural landscapes
• Archaeological resources

Create Successful Rapid Transit Stations

• Location and spacing
• Layout, design and amenities
• Accessibility
• Multi-modal connections

Provide a Safe Facility

• Personal safety
• Infrastructure safety
• Operational safety

Increase Ridership, Mobility and Capacity

• Travel times and rider comfort
• Design for all-day use
• Network connectivity
• Local and regional trips

Maximize Sensitivity to Natural Environment

• Surface and groundwater
• Fisheries, flora and fauna
• Ecological linkages
• Environmental contamination

Apply Sustainable Design Best Practices

• Energy efficiency
• Infrastructure re-use
• Minimize footprint
• Storm water management
• GHG emissions

Wise Public Investment

• Capital costs
• Operating and maintenance costs
• Land acquisition costs
• Value for money

Exhibit 21: LRT Technology Background and Considerations

• The City of Ottawa has adopted Light Rail Transit (LRT) technology for its future rail-based rapid transit network, based on the results of a study completed as part of the Transportation Master Plan
• Modern LRT has the following general characteristics
  • Can operate in fully-segregated, partially-segregated or mixed-traffic corridors
  • Can operate as a single vehicle, or in trains consisting of up to six light rail vehicles
  • Power supplied via overhead wires
• Some LRT technology considerations in selecting a preferred rapid transit corridor include:
  • Geometric requirements for LRT (horizontal and vertical design parameters)
  • Protecting for grade-separation (to allow for automatic train operation in the future)

Exhibit 22: What Corridors are Being Considered?

• The study will look at the three primary corridors identified in City's Scope of Work:
  • Carling
  • Richmond/Byron
  • Ottawa River Parkway
• Multiple variations to connect corridor segments together will be reviewed as part of the corridor evaluation
• Once a corridor has been defined, steps will be taken to identify how LRT will best fit within the designated corridor

Exhibit 23: Carling Avenue Corridor

Major aspects and issues to consider include:

• Longer corridor length
• Serves regional and local transit needs
• Good potential to encourage intensification and redevelopment
• Sharp curves required at Lincoln Fields and to/from connecting corridor
• Community impacts and disruption along most connecting corridors
• Potential reconfiguration of Bayview Station, timing of O-Train conversion to electric LRT and service to Tunney’s Pasture/Westboro area (O-Train connecting corridor)
• Pedestrian, cycling and traffic impacts (if at grade) 

Exhibit 24: Byron/Richmond Corridor

Major aspects and issues to consider include:

• Shorter corridor, makes good use of existing transit infrastructure
• Temporary/long-term impacts to existing linear greenspace along Byron
• Integration of LRT corridor with adjacent community
• Potential for redevelopment along Richmond Road
• Connection to the Transitway “trench”
• Pedestrian, cycling and traffic impacts (if at grade)

Exhibit 25: Ottawa River Parkway Corridor

Major aspects and issues to consider include:

• Impact to cultural landscape and pedestrian/cyclist access
• Potential conversion of existing traffic lanes or a new alignment within Parkway corridor
• Traffic impacts if existing lanes are converted to LRT
• Pedestrian and cycling impacts (if at grade)
• Impact on greenspace if LRT is in additional lanes
• Requires greatest use of NCC lands
• Shorter corridor, makes good use of existing transit infrastructure
• Ridership growth potential is primarily for longer distance travel

Exhibit 26: Pinecrest Creek Segment (Lincoln Fields to Baseline)

• Uses of the Pinecrest Creek segment between Lincoln Fields and Baseline Stations is common to all corridor options
• Major aspects and issues to consider include:
  • Impact on Pinecrest Creek
  • The potential need for both LRT and BRT between Lincoln Fields and Baseline
  • BRT connection between Pinecrest Station and Lincoln Fields as an interim/long-term condition
  • Ability to grade-separate corridor at Iris Street

Exhibit 27: Evaluation Methodology

• The corridor evaluation will use a multi-criteria decision aid (MCDA) to compare alternative corridors
• Compares corridors against each other on a range of criteria/indicators
• A standard 5-step process will be used:

1. Identify evaluation criteria/indicators
2. Assign weights or preferences to evaluation criteria
3. Criteria impact analysis
4. Application of evaluation method
5. Conduct sensitivity tests

• A total of 100 points are assigned in the weighting exercise, divided amongst the nine criteria categories:
  • Promote Smart Growth
  • Compatibility with Adjacent Communities
  • Protect Historical, Cultural and Archaeological Resources
  • Create Successful Rapid Transit Stations
  • Provide a Safe Facility
  • Increase Ridership, Mobility and Capacity
  • Maximize Sensitivity to Natural Environment
  • Apply Sustainable Design Best Practices
  • Wise Public Investment
• Weighting will be done by members of the ACG, BCG and PCG, and project study team
• Results will be used in the evaluation to select the preliminary preferred alternative corridor

Exhibit 28: Next Steps

Following this Public Open House:

• Your comments on the study will be reviewed along with input received from the Consultation Groups
• The study team will review and respond to all of the comments and prepare an update on the study progress for presentation to a meeting of the Transit Committee
• The Consultation Groups will assist in undertaking the evaluation of the alternative corridors and provide feedback as the study moves ahead
• Information about the study will continue to be posted on the City's website as it becomes available
• The corridor evaluation and preliminary preferred corridor will be presented at a second Public Open House and Presentation in the Spring of 2011

Your Input is Valuable

Thank you for taking an interest in the Western LRT Corridor study

Please let us know what you think by completing the Comment-Questionnaire and placing it in the designated box before you leave or mail or fax it to us by 6 December 2010. Comments can also be submitted by email to westernLRT@ottawa.ca

Your views and contributions are important to the success of this study!

Introduction

The City of Ottawa is proceeding with the preparation of a Planning and Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the expansion and improvement of its rapid transit network to accommodate existing and future demand. The intent is to extend the DOTT line (Blair to Tunney’s) to Baseline Station and create a LRT trunk line to support the transit mode split objectives of the City’s Transportation Master Plan, and existing land uses and future development established in the City’s Official Plan. The Western LRT Corridor rapid transit project is a primary component of the City’s overall plan for transportation service and infrastructure improvements required to support future growth.

In support of the study, a major public consultation process (as outlined in the Study Design document) has been initiated. This report provides a summary of public consultation activities undertaken as part of the first Public Open House and Presentation held on 29 November 2010, including comments and questions received from the public.

Overview

The first Public Open House and Presentation for the WLRTC study was held on Monday, 29 November 29 2010 at Tom Brown Arena (Upper Hall) from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. A formal presentation was given at 7:00 p.m., followed by a question and answer session. Throughout the event, study team members from the City of Ottawa, National Capital Commission and the consultant team were available to discuss the study with the public and answer questions in an informal setting.

The material presented at the Public Open House and Presentation included information on:

• Study Overview and Process
• Study Schedule
• Consultation Activities
• Need and Justification
• Existing Conditions
• Planning Objectives and Supporting Criteria
• Alternative Rapid Transit Corridors
• Proposed Corridor Evaluation Methodology
• Next Steps

Notification

Notification of the Open House occurred through advertisements in daily citywide newspapers, as well as weekly local community newspapers and the City’s Web Site.

• Ottawa Citizen (November 19 and November 26, 2010)
• Le Droit (November 19 and November 26, 2010)
• Metro (November 22 and November 26, 2010)
• Kitchissippi Times (November 18 and November 25, 2010)
• EMC Kanata (November 18 and November 25, 2010)
• EMC Barrhaven/Nepean (November 18 and November 25, 2010)
• EMC Ottawa West (November 18 and November 25, 2010)
• City project website

Members of the Agency, Business and Public Consultation Groups were advised of the time and location of the Public Open House and Presentation during Consultation Group meetings held on November 9, 2010 and through circulation of the meeting notes and presentation from these meetings on November 12, 2010.

Attendance

Attendees were asked to sign-in upon entering the Public Open House. A total of 101 people signed in over the course of the evening. Based on the addresses provided, individuals attending the Public Open House and Presentation represent communities throughout the whole of the study area, as well as other areas of the City of Ottawa (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Geographical Distribution of Participants at Open House #1

Public Open House and Presentation Materials

The Public Open House was organized to allow for informal viewing of exhibit boards by the public. Members of the consulting team and representatives from the City and National Capital Commission were available to discuss the study and answer questions in an informal setting. Exhibit boards provided information regarding:

• Study overview;
• Study process;
• Study schedule;
• Need and justification;
• Existing conditions (social, physical and natural environments);
• Planning objectives and supporting criteria;
• Alternative corridors;
• evaluation methodology, and
• Next steps.

A resource table was also provided with background materials available for review by members of the public. This material included copies of the City of Ottawa Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan, the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, the Transit Project Assessment Process Guidelines, Transit Technology Choice report, and maps illustrating existing environmental conditions within the study area.

During the course of the Public Open House, a formal presentation was given using PowerPoint. A question and answer period was held following the presentation. A summary of the questions asked and answers provided is located in Section 4.0 of this report.

To further assist in obtaining feedback from attendees, an Information Bulletin and a Comment-Questionnaire were distributed at the Public Open House. Members of the public were encouraged to provide written comments via the Comment-Questionnaire and submit them either before leaving the Open House or by fax, email or regular mail by 6 December 2010. A summary of comments received is provided in the following section of this report.

All display boards, presentation slides, resource materials and handouts were provided in both French and English, with the exception of the Transit Technology Choice report, which is only available in English.

Completed Comment-Questionnaires

The following is a summary of the comments received via Comment-Questionnaires submitted at or after the first Public Open House and Presentation. A total of 61 Comment-Questionnaires were completed.

Question 1: Where do you live in the City?

Figure 1 shows the geographic distribution of attendees at the First Public Open House and Presentation, based on the list of signed-in attendees.

Question 2: Why are you interested in this study?

The majority of responses to this question indicated they were interested in the study due to either a general or specific interest in public transit (e.g. support expansion of the City’s LRT network, want better access to transit). A significant number of responses were concerned with potential local or community impacts such as loss of greenspace or property impacts. Other responses included an interest in the study due to its potential impact on overall City growth and development; the cost; and quality of life.

Major issues referenced include:

• Public Transit (network, access, quality) (32)
• Local impacts (25)
• City growth and development (6)
• Cost (5)
• Quality of life (4)

Question 3: How important are the following planning objectives as they relate to the overall transit project? Please rate the importance of each listed objective according to the following scale: 1 – very important to me 2 – somewhat important to me 3 – not important to me. (59 responses)

Responses to this question are summarized in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Summary of Responses to Question 3

Figure 2 illustrates the relative importance of the planning objectives based on the number of “very important to me” responses received for each planning objective.

Figure 2: Relative Importance of Planning Objectives

Question 4: What in your view are the primary issues to be addressed during the planning of the Western LRT Corridor?

The issues most often referenced in responses concerned the overall transit network (e.g. maximizing speed, ridership, access and service quality) and in particular the need to resolve issues relating to the perceived trade-offs between regional and local benefits (e.g. travel speed for longer-distance commuters vs. local impacts and access). Avoiding negative impacts on the local community (in particular the potential loss of or access to greenspace) cost, and encouraging future development were also significant issues identified in many comments.

Specific issues raised include:

• Transit network, ridership and service quality (25)
• Regional versus local benefits (17)
• Local/community impacts (7)
• Cost (7)
• Encouraging future development (6)

Question #5: Carling, Richmond/Byron and the Ottawa River Parkway have been identified as potential Western LRT Corridors. What concerns do you have regarding each corridor:

Carling

Many people stated they had few concerns with this corridor and expressed that this was their preferred choice, especially in consideration of potential long-term development and ridership. Concerns expressed centred mainly on the ability of this corridor to support a higher-speed rapid transit facility, potential interaction with other road users, and the cost and feasibility of accommodating a grade-separated rapid transit within this corridor given some of the physical constraints present (e.g. hill west of the O-Train corridor and sharp turns required) in this corridor.

Specific issues raised include:

• No concerns/preferred corridor (31)
• Speed (11)
• Cost (6)
• Interaction with other road users (5)
• Local impacts (4)
• Feasibility (3)

Richmond/Byron

Most concerns centred on local impacts and potential loss of greenspace, especially with respect to the Byron Linear greenspace. Concerns rose significantly regarding corridor segments which see LRT constructed further into the Westboro community along Byron or Richmond Road and which avoid re-use of the existing Transitway west of Westboro Station. This corridor was also supported by many respondents, particularly if the LRT line is located below-grade and can be covered over to re-instate greenspace and walking/cycling facilities.

Specific issues identified include:

• No concerns/preferred corridor (27)
• Local impacts (19)
• Feasibility (3)
• Cost (2)

Ottawa River Parkway

Most concerns with this corridor optioned centred on the lack of development potential along the corridor, the limited access to existing development, and the potential significant loss of greenspace and access to the river, and recreational facilities. There was some support for this corridor as the likely fastest and cheapest option.

Specific issues identified include:

• Loss of greenspace/local impacts (19)
• Lack of access (15)
• Lack of development potential (13)
• Design/feasibility (3)

Question 6: Do you have specific issues that may affect the evaluation of corridor options?

Most respondents re-iterated issues which will be considered in the evaluation, such as community or local impacts. Additional issues raised include: Looking at how to serve whichever corridors are by-passed for the WLRTC; the importance of providing new corridors and not just replacing existing rapid transit; NCC permission for use of Ottawa River Parkway; aesthetics and tourist considerations, and; ease of construction.

Question 7: Do you have any specific questions or comments on the planning work presented to date?

Most respondents to this question provided comments with respect to issues of importance to them, and on the alternative corridors identified. Concern for greenspace and the balance of local and regional trip-making were frequently raised.

Questions with respect to the evaluation process and opportunities for additional public input were raised, including requests for more information, more clarity on the decision-making process and on the project schedule.

Question 8: Do you feel that the information presented at this first Public Open House & Presentation has given you a better understanding of the Project? (61 responses)

Yes – 40
No – 2
Somewhat – 7
No opinion – 12

Presentation Question and Answer Summary

The following is a summary of the verbal questions and comments received and responses provided during the course of and following the formal presentation given during the Public Open House.