Section 5 - Implementation

Implementation of the Official Plan is accomplished through a myriad of tools. They generally fall into the following categories. Only some examples have been identified for illustration purposes, but there are many more.

Financial Tools

• Use financial incentives to promote residential development within mixed-use projects;
• Exempt social housing projects from processing fees;
• Link the long-range financial plan and annual budget process to implementing the strategic directions of the Official Plan;
• Use financial incentives such as those approved in Community Improvement Plans to promote the intensification and growth management goals of the Official Plan. [Amendment #40, April 26, 2006]

Land Acquisition and Ownership

• Ensure that surplus lands are considered for affordable housing projects prior to considering other uses;
• Acquire important natural areas;
• Strategic acquisition of land for future snow disposal requirements, in advance of need;
• Strategic acquisition, preparation and disposal of land for purposes of achieving the goals of approved Community Improvement Plans. [Amendment #40, April 26, 2006]

Provision of Infrastructure

• Ensure the provision of parks and recreation areas throughout the city in the urban and rural areas;
• Provide, with developers, adequate water, wastewater, stormwater, telecommunications and transportation infrastructure to support the pattern and intensity of development; [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]
• Support alternative servicing options where they provide a better solution in the rural area.

Guidelines and Terms of Reference

• Provide design guidelines to ensure compatibility of any intensification and infill proposals in a variety of circumstances and locations;
• Establish guidelines for land uses in the road right-of-way;
• Provide terms of reference for completing an Environmental Impact Statement;
• Establish noise control guidelines for road, rail, transit-corridor noise and noise from stationary sources.

Setting Targets and Monitoring Change

• Set targets for walking, cycling and transit use;
• Monitor decisions of the Ontario Municipal Board vis-à-vis policies in this Plan;
• Monitor trends that may impact on the population projection framing this Plan,
• Monitor the implementation of Community Improvement Plans. [Amendment #40, April 26, 2006]

Entering into Partnerships

• Establish and support a non-profit trust for acquiring and managing natural areas;
• Partner with the National Capital Commission to provide continuous multi-use pathways; [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]
• Establish of a rapid-transit station in concert with construction of a new building;
• Establish a working partnership with the Conservation Authorities to address environmental matters with special emphasis on watershed, subwatershed planning, stormwater management, fish habitat and Environmental Impact Assessments.

Approval of Regulations and By-laws

• Adopt a comprehensive zoning by-law to implement the Plan;
• Adopt a woodland preservation by-law.

Undertaking Area Plans

• Complete a community design plan;
• Prepare an integrated, resource-based plan for a subwatershed;
• Do a groundwater assessment for a whole Village and surrounding area;
• Prepare Community Improvement Plan for Community Improvement Project Areas designated by Council, and seek Ministerial approval of Community Improvement Plans, as required. [Amendment #40, April 26, 2006]

In addition, the City is guided by policies and guidelines of other levels of government and public agencies. Implementation may also depend on the culture of the city: the ability to negotiate, to comprehend challenges and to seek solutions. The City will be supportive of innovative directions that uphold the intent of the Plan and will establish an environment to foster creativity.

Many of the implementation tools appear in policies throughout the Official Plan. However, some of these tools are described in the following sections.

A municipality may pass many by-laws under the authority of the Planning Act without mentioning them in the Official Plan. These include interim control, demolition control, temporary use and others. Some implementation tools, however, must be included in this Plan, as required under the Planning Act, in order for the municipality to implement such measures.

5.2.1 – General

Policies

Provincial Policy Statement

1. The Province issues Provincial Policy Statements from time to time to provide direction on matters of provincial interest. The City will ensure that the intent of any such policy statements are adequately reflected and implemented through this Plan.  Where Provincial Policy Statements are in effect, the decisions of the City and the Committee of Adjustment shall be consistent with the policies of this Plan and the Provincial Policy Statement that is in effect on the date of the decision. [Amendment #150 December 21, 2017]

Public Works

2. The City will not undertake any public work, nor pass any by-law, for any purpose that does not conform to the intent and policies of this Plan.  The phasing of the public works projects will be coordinated through a capital works program that will be reviewed annually as part of the capital budget procedure. [Amendment #150, December 21, 2017]

Zoning By-law

3. As a priority measure, the City will prepare a new comprehensive zoning by-law that implements this Plan.  [Amendment #150, December 21, 2017]

Acquisition and Holding of Land

4. The City may acquire or hold land within its boundaries for the purposes of implementing any policy of the Plan. The City will secure lands to meet its objectives through such means as acquisition and conditions of development approval depending on the circumstances and relevant legislation. Any land so acquired or held may be sold, leased or otherwise disposed of by the City when no longer required. Before disposition of any surplus lands they will be considered in terms of such matters as their adequacy for the provision of affordable housing, their value as a natural area and the need for transportation corridors.

5. The City has a particular interest in ensuring that lands in the following designations are secured in a way that is consistent with their greenspace values: Natural Environment Areas, Significant Wetlands, Urban Natural Features, and Major Open Space. A similar interest may apply to any lands along waterways in a Village or Urban Area. [Amendment #96, February 22, 2012]

a. The City will consider methods other than acquisition to meet its objectives for the preservation of lands with greenspace values, including exchanging lands of similar value, negotiating conservation easements, entering into agreements with other public bodies concerning land management or maintenance, partnering with a land trust and other methods that may be proposed from time to time;
b. The City may initiate the purchase of lands in any of the above-noted designations where acquisition of the land is critical to the achievement of its objectives;
c. Except for those lands that are identified as flood plain, steep or unstable slopes, significant wetland, or significant habitat of endangered or threatened species, the city will acquire land that is in private ownership at the request of the landowners under the following conditions:

i. The land is designated Natural Environment Area or Urban Natural Feature by this Plan; or
ii. An EIS identifies the land as being part of the City’s Natural Heritage System in the urban or rural area and clearly demonstrates that none of the development as defined in Section 4.7.8, that is otherwise permitted under the Official Plan and is not otherwise constrained by any legislation or regulation, cannot occur without negative impact on the natural heritage system or its functions, then the area on which development cannot occur is to be acquired. [Amendment #76, OMB File #PL100206, April 26, 2012]

d. Where land that is designated Major Open Space is not otherwise identified as flood plain or steep or unstable slopes, the City will acquire the land at the request of the landowner;
e. When acquiring these lands:

i. The City will negotiate a purchase price based on an independent market value appraisal, but, if after six months, an agreement has not been reached, the City will offer to acquire the lands under Section 30 of the Expropriations Act and compensation may be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Act; or
ii. At the request of the landowner, the City will acquire the property through expropriation in accordance with the Expropriations Act.
iii. Improvements will not be acquired unless requested by the landowner,
iv. The acquisition may be limited to a part of a property, provided that the size of the part not acquired satisfies the requirements of this Plan; [OMB decision #952, March 30, 2006]

f. Where land in a Natural Environment Area, Urban Natural Feature, or Major Open Space designation is in the ownership of a public body or agency, such as the National Capital Commission or a Conservation Authority, and where this property is not required to achieve their interests as expressed in their plans, and where this public body seeks to have the City acquire these lands, the City will proceed in accordance with policies c) and d) above. [OMB decision #952, March 30, 2006]

6. When the City receives an application for a zoning by-law amendment to permit development on lands that are in private ownership and where the land is currently zoned in an open space or leisure zone, the City will consider the need to acquire the land to secure its greenspace interests. [OMB decision #952, March 30, 2006]

Site Plan Control Area

7. The entire City of Ottawa is a Site Plan Control Area. However, in order to avoid undue restrictions, certain classes of development will be exempted from Site Plan Control, as defined through the Site Plan Control By-law. The City may request elevation drawings and other design-oriented studies for development applications within the urban area and Villages. The City will require the fulfilment of conditions and agreements respecting road widening, landscaping, parking and loading areas, pedestrian walkways, sewer and water easements, fire routes and other design elements.

8. In order to ensure that the design provisions of this Plan are addressed, building elevations provided to the City in support of applications submitted for approval under the provisions for Site Plan Control in the Planning Act may be required to show exterior architectural details and design features. Drawings and elevations will be of sufficient scope, quality, clarity and detail to ascertain detailed design, materials, and finishes and the treatment of the public realm. Drawings and elevations will serve to illustrate matters of compatibility with adjacent buildings or sensitivity to local area place, context and setting, to address the relationship between buildings and between buildings and the street, to incorporate sustainable design features, and to illustrate scale, transitions in form, massing, character and materials. To this end, submissions may need to include indication of any or all of the following:

a. Treatment of the public realm;
b. Views of the entire block, so that proposed buildings may be seen in their context;
c. Finish, texture, materials, patterns and colours of all building exteriors, including roofs;
d. Location, size, colour, and type of all building exterior signage and lighting;
e. Number, placement, type and finishing of all exterior doors and windows;
f. Finish, texture, materials patterns and colours of functional elements attached to or forming part of the exterior of buildings such as entrance elements, walls, stairs, gates, railings, balconies,planters, awnings, alcoves, canopies, bays, seating, parking decks and ramps;
g. Any sustainable design features to be incorporated, such as green roofs or walls, sun traps, reflective or permeable surfaces;
h. Placement, finish, colour, size of any exterior mechanical systems such as heating and air conditioning, electronic transmission / receiving devices, and all above ground utilities (whether stand-alone or attached to the building) including any screening materials associated with the foregoing;
i. Integration of elements such as mechanical equipment, elevator machine rooms, communication devices and visible temporary devices (window washing equipment), together with any building parapet that constitute the roofscape design;
j. Incorporation of adequate guarantees to maintain the original architectural and design quality as approved and to ensure that inferior details and materials are not substituted at a later date.

The Site Plan By-law will be amended accordingly.

[Amendment #76, OMB File #PL100206, August 18, 2011]

9. In addition to the provisions of policy 8 above, the City may require the submission of drawings, elevations, and/or 3-D plans for the approval of high-rise buildings that will be of appropriate scope, quality, clarity and detail to assess:

a. Architectural quality;
b. Effect on the immediate and wider context;
c. Appearance of the building from significant near, middle and distant views, including the public realm and streets around the base of the building;
d. 360 degree views within the context of proposed and approved projects, where known, as well as the existing situation;
e. Appearance of the building in a range of weather and light conditions including night-time views;
f. Visual and microclimatic impacts (shadowing and wind);
g. The effect on the skyline of the design of the top of the building.

[Amendment #76, OMB File #PL100206, August 18, 2011]

10. Notwithstanding the provisions of policy 7 above to the contrary, The Site Plan Control By-law may require elevation drawings and other design-oriented studies for development on any land that abuts the Rideau River and Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site, including development for residential purposes that involves one or more dwellings.

[Amendment #76, OMB File #PL100206, August 18, 2011]

Increase in Height and Density By-law

11. Pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act, the City may authorize increases in the height and density of development above the levels otherwise permitted by the zoning by-law in return for the provision of community benefits. However, no increase in height will compromise any of the Capital Views Protection policy of the National Capital Commission. Public consultation will be included in the development and approval of such a by-law. Limited increases will be permitted in return for the provision of such community benefits as are set out in the by-law and shall be secured through an agreement as authorized by Section 37 of the Planning Act. Such community benefits must be over and above those facilities and services that would otherwise be required as part of the City’s standard development review process, standard budgeting process or that may be provided through the Development Charges By-law. The community benefits that may be authorized include, but are not limited to: [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]

a. Public cultural facilities;
b. Building design and public art;
c. Conservation of heritage resources;
d. Conservation/replacement of rental housing;
e. Provision of new affordable housing units; land for affordable housing, or, at the discretion of the owner, cash-in-lieu of affordable housing units or land; [Amendment 10, August 25, 2004]
f. Child care facilities;
g. Improvements to rapid-transit stations;
h. Other local improvements identified in community design plans, community improvement plans, capital budgets, or other implementation plans or studies;
i. Artist live-work studios.
j. Energy conservation and environmental performance measures; [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]
k. Conservation of existing greenspace or the creation of new greenspace. [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]

Holding Zones

12. The City may utilize a holding symbol (h), in conjunction with any use designation in the zoning by-law to specify the use to which lands shall be put to in the future, but which are now considered premature or inappropriate for immediate development. [Amendment #96, February 22, 2012]

Temporary Use Zones

13. The City, in a zoning by-law, may authorize the temporary use of lands, buildings or structures for any purpose set out therein that is otherwise prohibited by the comprehensive zoning by-law. A by-law authorizing a temporary use shall prescribe a period of time for the temporary use, which shall not exceed 20 years for a garden suite, and shall not exceed three years for all other uses. Council may grant further periods of not more than three years. [OMB decision #2649, September 21, 2006]

Demolition of Designated Heritage Farm Buildings

14. Notwithstanding the Ontario Building Code, which allows the demolition of a building located on a farm without a permit, the owner of a designated property must, as per the Ontario Heritage Act, apply in writing to City Council and receive written consent prior to proceeding with demolition. [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]

5.2.2 – Amendments to the Official Plan

Policies

1. When considering amendments to this Plan, the City will have regard to, among other things, the following criteria:
   1. The impact of the proposed change on the achievement of the policies expressed in this Plan;
   2. The effect of the proposed change on neighbouring communities;
   3. The effect of the proposed change on the need for water, wastewater and transportation services.
2. When considering amendments that affect the use of specific site or sites, the City will also consider whether there is a need to add the site or sites to the lands already designated for the proposed use.

5.2.3 – Public Notification

The Planning Act contains provisions that allow municipalities to provide notice of the required public meetings for Official Plan and zoning by-law amendments and Community Improvement Plans in a different manner than those prescribed in the Act and its regulations, provided that an alternative method is spelled out in the municipality's Official Plan. [Amendment #40, April 26, 2006]

The City will use these provisions so as to ensure that notification and consultation regarding these types of amendments and plans occurs early in the review process, rather than relying only on the notice of the public meeting. This notification and consultation, well in advance of the required public meeting, will provide the public and public bodies with sufficient mechanisms and time to provide input and allow opportunities for issue resolution well before decisions are made by City Council. Notification and consultation will be provided in a bilingual environment in a cost-efficient, consistent and effective manner. [Amendment #40, April 26, 2006]

Policies

Notification and Consultation

1. The measures for informing and obtaining the views of the public and public bodies on proposed Official Plan and zoning by-law amendments and Community Improvement Plans will be as follows:
   1. A bilingual sign will be posted on the affected site and a notice will be sent to community organizations in the affected area as well as those public bodies that are considered to have an interest in the proposed amendment; or
   2. If the proposed amendment or plan affects a large area or the posting of an on-site notice is, for whatever reason, not appropriate, notification in both official languages will either be given directly to targeted stakeholders or published in a city newspaper. [Amendment #40, April 26, 2006]

Notice of the Public Meeting

2. Notice of the public meeting at a Committee of Council will be:

a. Published in one English-language and one French-language daily newspaper or a newspaper having general circulation in the city, a minimum of five calendar days before the scheduled public meeting; [Amendment #128, November 13, 2013]
b. Sent to individuals and public bodies who provided written comments or requested notice of the public meeting, at least ten calendar days before the meeting by prepaid first class mail, facsimile or electronic-mail.

Technical Amendments

3. In the case of technical amendments to this Plan or the City of Ottawa Zoning By-law, notification to and consultation with the public or public bodies, as set out in Policy 1 above, will not be required. The requirements of Policy 2(b) above will also not apply, however notice of a proposed technical amendment will be published in the newspapers in accordance with Policy 2(a). This approach will be restricted to correcting the following anomalies:

a. where further amendments are required to fully implement an approved recommendation of City Council to amend the Official Plan or Zoning By-law;
b. to carry forward in the Zoning By-law, the regulations of the former municipalities’ zoning by-laws, where required, to accurately harmonize those regulations;
c. to amend the language of a provision so as to clarify its intent; and,
d. to eliminate unnecessary redundancies and out dated references.

[Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]

5.2.4 – For Future Use

 

5.2.5 – Community Improvement

[Amendment #40, April 26, 2006]

The Community Improvement provisions of the Planning Act allow municipalities to prepare Community Improvement Plans for designated Community Improvement Project Areas that require community improvement as the result of age, dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement, unsuitability of buildings or for any other environmental, social or community economic development reason. Once a Community Improvement Plan has been adopted by a municipality, approved by the Province, and is in effect, the municipality may offer incentives to encourage private sector investment. The municipality may also undertake a wide range of actions for the purpose of carrying out the community improvement plan.

Policies

General

1. The City will maintain and promote an attractive and safe living and working environment through community improvement. To this end, community improvement will be accomplished through the:
   1. Designation by by-law of Community Improvement Project Area(s), the boundary of which may be part or all of the urban area of the City of Ottawa, and/or part or all of one or more Villages as defined in this Plan, and as amended from time to time;
   2. Preparation, adoption and implementation of a Community Improvement Plan(s) within a designated Community Improvement Project Area(s), pursuant to the Planning Act and the community improvement policies set out in this Plan;
   3. Ongoing maintenance, rehabilitation, redevelopment and upgrading of areas characterized by deficient/obsolete/deteriorated buildings, deficient municipal recreational or hard services, and social, community, or economic instability; and,
   4. Establishment of programs to facilitate municipal and private sector rehabilitation and redevelopment that addresses identified economic development, land development, environmental, energy efficiency, housing, and/or social development issues/needs.

Community Improvement Project Areas

2. The designation of Community Improvement Project Areas shall be based on one or more of the following conditions being present:

a. Known or perceived environmental contamination;
b. Vacant lots and underutilized properties and buildings which have potential for infill, redevelopment or expansion to better utilize the land base or the public infrastructure;
c. Other barriers to the repair, rehabilitation or redevelopment of underutilized land and/or buildings;
d. Buildings, building facades, and/or property, including buildings, structures and lands of heritage and/or architectural significance, in need of preservation, restoration, repair, rehabilitation, energy efficiency or renewable energy improvements, or redevelopment;
e. Absence of an adequate mix of uses;
f. Deficiencies in physical infrastructure including but not limited to the sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, and/or watermain system, streetscapes and/or street lighting, municipal parking facilities, sidewalks, curbs, or road state of repair;
g. Poor overall visual quality, including but not limited to, streetscapes and urban design and/or overhead wiring;
h. A concentration of obsolete or aging low-density land uses, vacant lots, surface parking lots and/or abandoned buildings;
i. High commercial vacancy rates;
j. Deficiencies in community and social services including but not limited to public open space, parks, indoor/outdoor recreational facilities, and public social facilities and support services;
k. Opportunities to improve the mix of housing types;
l. High commercial vacancy rates;
m. Any other environmental, energy efficiency, social or community economic development reasons.

3. Priority for the designation of Community Improvement Project Areas and the preparation and adoption of Community Improvement Plans shall be given to those areas:

a. Targeted for growth and intensification in Section 2.2.2 Managing Growth Within the Urban Area, in particular, the Central Area, Traditional and Arterial Mainstreets, Mixed Use Centres and the vicinity (within an 800 metre walking distance) of existing or planned rapid transit stations; and/or
b. Where the greatest number of conditions (as established in Policy 2) are present; and/or,
c. Where one or more of the conditions (as established in policy 2) is particularly acute; and/or,
d. Where one or more of the conditions (as established in policy 2) exists across the urban area of the city.  [Amendment #150, December 21, 2017]

Community Improvement Plans

5. Community Improvement Plans may be prepared and adopted to:

a. Facilitate the renovation, repair, rehabilitation, remediation, redevelopment or other improvement of lands and/or buildings;
b. Facilitate the preservation, restoration, adaptive reuse and improvement of buildings with historical, architectural or other heritage significance;
c. Facilitate the development of mixed-use buildings, or the introduction of a wider mix of uses in areas that are deficient in mixed uses;
d. Facilitate the restoration, maintenance, improvement and protection of natural habitat, parks, open space and recreational amenities;
e. Facilitate residential and other types of infill and intensification;
f. Facilitate the construction of a range of housing types and the construction of affordable housing;
g. Upgrade and improve municipal services and public utilities such as sanitary sewers, storm sewers, watermains, roads and sidewalks;
h. Improve pedestrian and bicycle circulation;
i. Facilitate public transit supportive land uses and improve the quality of, and accessibility to, transit facilities;
j. Contribute to the ongoing viability and revitalization of the Central Area, Mainstreets, and other areas that may require community improvement;
k. Improve environmental and energy consumption conditions;
l. Improve social conditions and support services;
m. Promote cultural development;
n. Facilitate and promote community economic development; and,
o. Improve community quality, safety and stability.

6. During the preparation of a Community Improvement Plan and any subsequent amendments, the public will be informed and public input will be obtained in keeping with the policies for Public Notification contained in this Plan.

Implementation

7. In order to implement a Community Improvement Plan in effect within a designated Community Improvement Project Area, the City of Ottawa may undertake a range of actions as described in the Community Improvement Plan, including:

a. The municipal acquisition of land and/or buildings within the Community Improvement Project Areas where a Community Improvement Plan has been adopted, approved and is in effect, and the subsequent:

i. Clearance, grading, or environmental remediation of these properties,
ii. Repair, rehabilitation, construction or improvement of these properties,
iii. Sale, lease, or other disposition of these properties to any person or governmental authority,
iv. Other preparation of land or buildings for community improvement.

b. Provision of public funds such as grants, loans and other financial instruments;
c. Application for financial assistance from senior level government programs;
d. Participation in senior level government programs that provide assistance to private landowners for the purposes of community improvement;
e. Provision of information on municipal initiatives, financial assistance programs, and other government assistance programs;
f. Support of heritage conservation through the Ontario Heritage Act.

8. All developments participating in programs and activities contained within Community Improvement Plans shall conform with the policies contained in this Plan, applicable Community Design Plans, the zoning by-law, maintenance and occupancy by-laws, and all other related municipal policies and by-laws.

9. The City shall be satisfied that its participation in community improvement activities will be within the financial capabilities of the City.

5.2.6- Pre-Application Consultation and Prescribed Information for Planning Applications –

[Amendment #90, October 29, 2010]

[Amendment #71, January 28, 2009]

The Planning Act permits the City to require applicants to consult with the City prior to formal submission of their application. During this consultation, the City will determine which studies and information are required by Council to evaluate the application. Furthermore, staff will identify those studies that must be submitted at the time of application submission submission and refer the applicant to any Council-approved terms of reference or guideline to assist in the preparation of such requirements.  While the Planning Act does not require it, proponents are strongly encouraged to consult with the affected community prior to finalizing their application in order to identify potential issues and opportunities. [Amendment #150, December 21, 2017]

Policy 2 outlines the studies that the City may require for complete applications. In addition to the prescribed requirements of the Planning Act, the City may require additional information to allow it to properly evaluate an application. In addition to the requirements prescribed in this section, applicants should also refer to the entire Official Plan, which outlines the circumstances under which specific studies are required when seeking development approvals from the City. The City will consider an application to be complete if it is accompanied by the prescribed requirements identified in the Planning Act, and by the required studies and information listed in the policies below and discussed during pre-application consultation.
Policies

1. Prior to submitting an application for an Official Plan Amendment, a Zoning By-law Amendment, a Plan of Subdivision, a Plan of Condominium or a Site Plan Application subject to public consultation, applicants are required to meet with the staff of the Planning and Growth Management Department of the City to identify the information that will be required at the time of application submission. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to consult with Planning and Growth Management staff prior to submitting a Site Plan application that is not subject to public consultation. Staff have the authority to waive the requirement for an in-person meeting after being contacted by an applicant. Applicants are strongly advised to meet with the affected community prior to finalizing plans. This service is currently not available in person due to COVID-19 closures. 
2. Applications to amend the Official Plan, the Zoning By-law, or a Plan of Subdivision, a Plan of Condominium, or a Site Plan Application, will comply with the complete application submission requirements of the Planning Act. The City requires other information and/or reports as listed below, to support the application at the time of submission unless otherwise indicated in writing after pre-consultation.
   1. 1. Assessment of Adequacy of Public Services/Conceptual Site Servicing Study
      2. Servicing Options Report
      3. Hydrogeological and Terrain Analysis
      4. Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
      5. Geotechnical Study/Slope Stability
      6. Impact Assessment of Adjacent Waste Disposal / Former Landfill Site
      7. Mineral Resource Impact Assessment
      8. Noise Control Study (Airport)
      9. Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (Airport Zoning Regulations)
      10. Noise Control Detailed Study, Noise Control Feasibility Study or Acoustical Audit and/or Vibration Study [Amendment #167, February 23, 2016]
      11. Transportation Impact Study or Brief or Community Traffic Study
      12. Cultural Heritage Impact Statement
      13. Minimum Distance Separation
      14. Planning Rationale
      15. Environmental Impact Statement
      16. Agrology and Soil Capability Study
      17. Integrated Environmental Review Statement
      18. Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
      19. Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
      20. Record of Site Condition
      21. Wellhead Protection Plan
      22. Reasonable Use Study
      23. Groundwater Impact Assessment
      24. Stormwater Site Management Plan
      25. Archaeological Resource Assessment
      26. Tree Preservation and Protection Plan
      27. Assessment of Landform Feature
      28. Mine Hazard Study / Abandoned Pit or Quarry
      29. Plan showing ultimate use of land
      30. Statement of achievement of the Design Objectives and the Design and Compatibility Principles of this Plan
      31. Drawings showing plan, elevation and cross-section views of each building
      32. Design Brief
      33. Shadow Study
      34. Wind Study
      35. O-Train Network Proximity Study [Amendment #130, May 27, 2014]  [Amendment  #150, December 21, 2017] [Amendment #226, February 26, 2019]
3. Applications for Official Plan amendments of city-wide significance will be considered providing the following criteria are met:
   1. The applicable policies in Section 4;
   2. The applicable information and reports listed in Policy 2 i. through xxx. above have been submitted; and
   3. Additional information regarding the appropriateness of the proposed amendment, including a city-wide analysis and evaluation of all alternatives, has been submitted.

The following implementation policies describe other situations that may affect development.

Policies

Property Standards

1. All properties and buildings in the City of Ottawa will be kept in a state of good repair and safe for occupancy and use. The safety and maintenance of all properties and buildings in the City will be protected through the enactment of property standards by-laws under the Building Code Act.

[Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]

Dwellings on existing lots

2. Irrespective of any other policy in this Plan, an individual has a right to develop a single-detached dwelling on a lot of record fronting on a public road that is maintained year round, if the lot was created under the Planning Act prior to the date of adoption of this Plan, if the zoning permits the use and if the use can meet all the requirements for private or central servicing.

[Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]

Boundary Adjustments

3. The City will permit lot adjustments in any land-use designated for legal or technical reasons. For the purposes of this section, legal or technical reasons include severances for purposes such as easements, corrections of deeds, quit claims and minor boundary adjustments, which do not result in the creation of a new lot or render an existing lot as non-conforming.

[Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]

Surplus Dwellings

4. In all designations but Agricultural Resource, where at least two detached residential dwellings existed on a property prior to adoption of this Plan, one surplus dwelling may be severed on a new lot provided that all other relevant policies of this Plan are respected. Both dwellings must be occupied on an on-going basis for the use of this provision. [Amendment #58, December 07, 2007]

[Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]

Cost Sharing Agreements [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]

5. Subject to City Council approval, the City shall consider the use of private agreements among landowners to cost-share major infrastructure projects, associated studies and plans, identified in Community Design Plans or comprehensive studies approved by Council and detailed in the agreement.  These agreements may include community facilities such as parkland.   Such agreements are initiated by landowners within a defined area and provide for the fair sharing of costs among the benefiting parties, to complement or replace the provisions of a Development Charges By-law.  Where such agreements are in place, the City shall require evidence of payment pursuant to the agreement as a condition of draft approval for plans of subdivision and plans of condominium, and as a condition of approval of severance applications and site plan.

This policy shall apply to the following areas approved by City Council:

a. Portion of the East Urban Community as indicated on Annex 5. [Amendment #13, September 8, 2004] [Amendment #118, OMB File #PL130488, August 13, 2013]
b. Those properties that front onto and propose connection to the extension of the Carlsbad PSA Trickle Feed shown on Figure 7 of the Infrastructure Master Plan and that are located south of the Village of Carlsbad Springs on Boundary Road and east of Thunder Road. It is noted however that being a signatory to the servicing agreement does not guarantee that a service connection will be permitted.  [Amendment #153, OMB File #PL150790, May 5, 2016]

6. Landowners within Area 1 (Kanata West) shown on Annex 5 Urban - Areas Subject to a Community Design or Policy Plan approved by Ottawa City Council - shall enter into private agreements to share the costs of the major infrastructure projects and associated studies and plans (including but not limited to Infrastructure Planning, Environmental Assessments and Restoration Plans) required for the development of Kanata West, and the costs shall be distributed fairly among the benefiting landowners. Each agreement shall contain a financial schedule describing the estimated costs of the major infrastructure projects and associated studies and plans, as well as the proportionate share of the costs for each landowner. The City shall include a condition of approval for all plan of subdivision and condominium, site plan and severance applications in Kanata West requiring notification from the Trustee of the Kanata West Owners Group Inc. that the owner is party to the agreements and has paid its share of any costs pursuant to the agreements. [Amendment #39, April 12, 2006]
7. Landowners within Area 12 (Fernbank) shown on Annex 5 Urban - Areas Subject to a Community Design or Policy Plan approved by Ottawa City Council, shall:

a. Enter into a private agreement, as may be amended from time to time, to share or front end, if required, the costs of community facilities and works and associated studies and plans which are required for the development of the Fernbank Community. Such costs may include, but are not limited to:

i. the costs of community use lands such as parkland, as well as the costs for preparation and improvement of parkland for dedication;
ii. local infrastructure, roads and works adjacent to community use lands; and
iii. other local infrastructure which is demonstrated to benefit more than one individual development.

These costs shall be distributed fairly among the benefiting landowners. The agreement shall contain a financial schedule describing the estimated costs of the community facilities and works and associated studies and plans, as well as the proportionate share of the costs for each landowner.

Prior to the registration of the first plan of subdivision within the Fernbank Community, either enter into a Master Parkland Agreement with the City, or through the private agreement, which Agreement shall govern the terms of the orderly conveyance of Parkland, including the District Park, within the Fernbank Community in accordance with the parkland dedication requirements under the Planning Act, and the terms of reimbursement to the Landowners of the costs of parkland improvements incurred by the Landowners, including, without limitation, development charge credits and reimbursement to any over dedicated Landowners.

b. The City shall include a condition of approval for all plans of subdivision and condominium, site plan and severance applications within the Fernbank community requiring notification from the Trustee of the Fernbank Owners Group Inc that the owner is party to the agreement and has paid its share of any costs pursuant to the agreements. [Amendment #77, OMB File #PL09067, June 17, 2010] 

8. Landowners within the Manotick Special Design Area shown on Schedule “A” Volume 2C Village Plans, Manotick Secondary Plan approved by Ottawa City Council - shall enter into private agreements to share the costs of infrastructure projects and associated costs required to develop the SDA lands, and the costs shall be distributed fairly among the benefiting landowners. Each agreement shall contain a financial schedule describing the estimated costs of the infrastructure projects and associated costs required to develop the Special Design Area, as well as the proportionate share of the costs for each landowner. The City shall include a condition of approval for all plans of subdivision and condominium, site plan and severance applications in the Manotick Special Design Area requiring notification from a representative (Trustee) of the Landowners that the owner is party to the agreements and has paid its share of any costs pursuant to the agreements.[Amendment #105, July 13, 2012]
9. Landowners within Barrhaven South shown on Annex 5 Urban – Areas Subject to a Community Design or Policy Plan approved by Ottawa City Council - shall enter into private agreements to share the costs of the major infrastructure projects and associated studies and plans (including but not limited to Infrastructure Planning, Environmental Assessments and Restoration Plans) required for the development of Barrhaven South, so that the costs shall be distributed fairly among the benefiting landowners.  Each agreement shall contain a financial schedule describing the estimated costs of the major infrastructure projects and associated studies and plans, as well as the proportionate share of the costs for each landowner. The City shall include a condition of draft approval for all plans of subdivision, plans of condominium and severance applications, and as a condition of approval for site plans in Barrhaven South requiring notification from the Trustee of the Barrhaven Landowners Inc. that the owner is party to the agreements and has paid its share of any costs pursuant to the agreements. [Amendment #119, June 5, 2013]
10. Landowners of portion of the Highway 416 Employment Lands bounded by Strandherd Drive to the north and east, Highway 416 to the west, and the Canada National Railway corridor to the south shall enter into private agreements to share the costs of the major infrastructure projects and associated studies and plans (including but not limited to Infrastructure Planning, Environmental Assessments and Restoration Plans) required for the development of the said lands, so that the costs shall be distributed fairly among the benefiting landowners. Each agreement shall contain a financial schedule describing the estimated costs of the major infrastructure projects and associated studies and plans, as well as the proportionate share of the costs for each landowner. The City shall include a condition of draft approval for all plans of subdivision, plans of condominium and severance applications, and as a condition of approval for site plans in these lands requiring proof that the owner is party to the agreements and has paid its share of any costs pursuant to the agreements. [Amendment #121, July 10, 2013]
11. Landowners within the Kanata North UEA shown on Annex 5 Urban Areas Subject to a Community Design or Policy Plan Approved by Ottawa City Council, shall enter into private agreement(s) to share the costs of the major infrastructure projects and associated studies and plans required for the development of the Kanata North UEA. In addition, the Landowners within the Kanata North UEA shall enter into private agreement(s) to share the dedication and costs of development of parkland. Such agreement(s) are initiated by the landowners within the defined Kanata North UEA and provide for the fair sharing of costs among the benefiting parties, to complement or replace the provisions of a Development Charges By-law. Each agreement shall contain a financial schedule describing the estimated costs of the major infrastructure projects or parkland requirements and associated studies and plans, as well as the proportionate share of the costs for each landowner. The City will require the execution of the agreement(s) by each landowner prior to the approval of any application by the landowner for draft plan of subdivision or condominium, conditional approval of a severance, or approval of site plan control. The City shall include as a condition of approval for all plans of subdivision and condominium, site plan and severance applications in Kanata North UEA requiring notification from the Trustee of the Kanata North Landowners Group that the owner is party to the agreement(s) and has paid its share of any costs pursuant to the agreement(s).  [Amendment #173, OMB Order File #PL160875, January 11, 2017]
12. [Introduced by Amendment #159, September 23, 2015]
13. Landowners within the Village of Richmond Western Development lands as outlined within the Demonstration Plan Western Development Lands in the Village of Richmond Community Design Plan shall enter into private agreements to share the costs of the major infrastructure projects and associated studies and plans required for the development of said land, that the costs shall be distributed fairly among the benefiting landowners.  In addition, those landowners shall enter into private agreements(s) to share the dedication and costs of development of parkland. Each agreement shall contain a financial schedule describing the estimated costs of the major infrastructure projects and associated studies and plans, as well as the proportionate share of the costs for each landowner. The City shall include a condition of draft approval for all plans of subdivision, plans of condominium and severance applications, and as a condition of approval for site plans in these lands requiring proof that the owner is a party to the agreements and has paid its share pursuant to the agreements.  Any proposed development outside of the Western Development Land proposing to connect to the Richmond West Well system will be required to amend this section of the Official Plan and related cost-sharing agreement.  [Amendment #232, October 10, 2019]

 

The following policies provide guidance for the understanding and interpretation of the text, maps, schedules, figures and images of the Plan.

Policies

1. The Plan should be read as a whole to understand its comprehensive and integrative intent as a policy framework for priority-setting and decision-making.
2. Sections 1 to 5, Schedules A to M, Annex 1, Annexes 8A to 8D, Annex 10, Annex 12, and Volume 2 constitute the Official Plan.  Both the numbered policies and the preambles are policy.  All other text and maps are provided for information only and are not part of this Plan.  [Ministerial Modification 52, November 10, 2003] [OMB decision #437, March 1, 2005]  [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010] [Amendment #109, November 29, 2012] [Amendment #233, October 23, 2019]
3. Illustrations, sidebars and photos are included for the purpose of illustration only and are not part of the Plan.
4. Where the Plan refers to studies, guidelines, and other policy documents, such as watershed plans, the Transportation Master Plan, Community Design Plans or arterial road design guidelines, such policy documents are not part of the Plan unless the Plan has been specifically amended to include the document in whole or in part. These documents express Council’s policy and may be used to guide Council decisions on development applications, public works, and other matters and do not have the status of policies in this Plan adopted under the Planning Act. [OMB decision #437, March 1, 2005]
5. The boundaries of settlement areas comprised of the urban area and the rural villages are defined on Schedule A of this Plan.  The boundaries of the Greenbelt are defined on Schedule B.  The boundary of the Central Area is defined on Schedule B.  Where these boundaries coincide with a road the boundary will be considered to follow the centreline of the road.  These boundaries may only be changed through an amendment to this Plan.  [Amendment #141, December 29, 2017]  [Amendment #150, December 21, 2017]
6. Boundaries of land-use designations in this Plan are identified on the schedules to this Plan. The boundaries of these policy areas are approximate and, unless otherwise noted, will be considered as general except where they coincide with major roads, railways, hydro transmission lines, rivers and other clearly recognizable physical features. Major roads are defined as Provincial highways, city freeways and arterial roads. When other sources of information have been used to establish boundaries of designations, these will be clearly stated within the policies associated with that designation. Unless otherwise stated in the policies, when the general intent of the Plan is maintained, minor adjustments to boundaries will not require amendment to this Plan.
7. The implementation of this Plan will take place over time and the use of the word “will” to indicate a commitment to action on the part of the City should not be construed as a commitment to proceed with all of these undertakings immediately. These commitments will be undertaken in a phased manner, as determined by City Council, and subject to budgeting and program availability.
8. The indication of any proposed roads, bridges, parks, municipal services or infrastructure in policy text or on Plan schedules, including secondary plan maps or schedules, will not be interpreted as a commitment by the City to provide such services within a specific timeframe. Minor adjustments to the location of these facilities do not require an amendment to the Plan provided they are consistent with the objectives and policy directions of the Plan.
9. The indication of any proposed roads, bridges, parks, services or infrastructure in policy text or on Plan maps or schedules, including secondary plan maps or schedules, will not be interpreted as necessarily being specifically or solely the responsibility of the City to provide, finance or otherwise implement.
10. Technical revisions to the Official Plan or the Zoning By-law are permitted without adopting an amendment provided they do not change the intent of the Plan or the By-law. Technical revisions include: [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]
    1. Changing the numbering, cross-referencing and arrangement of the text, tables, schedules and maps; Altering punctuation or language for consistency; [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]
    2. Correcting grammatical, dimensional and boundary, mathematical or typographical errors; [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]
    3. Inserting historical footnotes or similar annotations. [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]
11. Where reference is made in the Official Plan to documents that rest outside the Plan,, such as provincial or federal Acts or other legislation, or to other documents that are not part of the Plan, it is understood that it is the latest approved version of the documents that is being referenced, unless otherwise specified. [Amendment #76, August 04, 2010]

The Corporate Planning Framework tracks the performance of the City in achieving the priorities, objectives and long-term sustainability goals approved by Council. At the start of each term of office, Council sets a vision and strategic priorities that move the City towards its long-term goals for a sustainable, resilient and liveable future. The vision and priorities form the basis of the City’s Strategic Plan and Corporate Planning Framework, which ties Council’s priorities to strategic objectives and strategic initiatives to achieve each objective. A performance measure that states the expected, measurable results or outcome of each objective and initiative is included in the Strategic Plan. The costs of the initiatives are included in the annual budget process and long-range financial plan, thus tying Council’s priorities and objectives to budget allocations. Council receives regular reports on the City’s operational performance plus client satisfaction regarding core services provided to the public by the City, as well as information about internal, corporate services.

In addition, Council receives an Annual Development Report to update data on Ottawa’s population, economy and development activity and analyse trends in Ottawa and the Greater Ottawa Area. Key indicators are compared with those for five other large Canadian cities to assess Ottawa’s relative position and are also used to measure achievement of selected planning policy objectives. These include, for example, achievement of this Plan’s target for residential intensification and policies that support development around rapid transit stations.

Data collected for the Annual Development Report and other research reports, such as surveys of vacant urban and rural land, also allow the City to compare actual growth with the growth projected in Section 2, as part of a comprehensive review of the Plan. [Amendment #150, December 21, 2017]

Policy

1. The City will continue to assess changing conditions in Ottawa and performance on matters related to the Official Plan through the Corporate Planning Framework and other research and monitoring activities. [Amendment #150, December 21, 2017]

The City recognizes that lands within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa lie within the historic Algonquin Territory that is part of current Treaty Negotiations with the Federal and Provincial Crowns. As such, this Plan will respond to direction from the Federal and Provincial Crowns as to the progress of these negotiations and will incorporate any official plan requirements that arise from the Settlement Agreement. In the interim, the City will seek opportunities for mutually beneficial engagement with the Algonquins on matters that affect aboriginal history and culture.

Policies

1. The City of Ottawa will engage the Algonquins of Ontario with regard to land use planning affecting any of the following matters:
   1. Any initiatives with regard to the Greenbelt, recognizing that the authority for the planning of the Greenbelt vests with the National Capital Commission;
   2. Protection of water quality, amelioration and utilization of the Ottawa River, Rideau River/Canal and other watercourses throughout the city;
   3. Any undertaking impacting on navigable waterways and their waterbeds;
   4. Environmental assessments and mitigation measures located on unceded lands associated with renewable energy undertakings identified in S.3.1 of this Plan; and
   5. Utilization of islands in Ottawa and Rideau Rivers.  [Amendment #76, July 07, 2011]  [Amendment #150, December 21, 2017]