Improve the Greenbelt, NCC told

Residents and stakeholders gathered at Louis-Riel high school on Tuesday, Jan. 26 for a workshop to develop a vision for the Greenbelt’s future. The 21,500 hectare parcel of green space, forming a crescent-shaped band within municipal boundaries is a natural and cultural landscape unique to Ottawa, and residents appear to want to keep it that way.

Sylvie Lalonde, NCC project manager for the current review of the 10-year-old Greenbelt Master Plan, indicated residents and stakeholders have said there are enough roads crossing the belt.

Display panels with messages written by participants or dots voting on what should and should not happen within the Greenbelt quickly illustrated the sentiment of area residents. A pattern emerged as people strategically placed green dots for “yes” and red dots for “no” on panels filled with suggestions and comments. It become clear residents don’t want built facilities within the Greenbelt expanded, they don’t want new roads or transitways punching through the belt in an effort to meet regional demand, and many don’t believe the Greenbelt provides a gateway to the urban area. Others were against eliminating recreational opportunities for the health of the Greenbelt.

On the flip side, residents agreed the Greenbelt protects wetlands, forests and natural areas to maintain the health of Ottawa’s ecosystems, and it contributes to the quality of life and identity of the nation’s capital. The public also called on the NCC to fulfill existing plans with a focus on nature trails and developing a Greenbelt pathway.

“The Greenbelt is a tremendous resource,” said Cynthia Levesque, project manager with the consulting team from Senes. She added the area includes natural settings, agriculture as well as a setting for select federal institutions. “It’s very diverse.”

In looking at the current conditions, Levesque noted the Greenbelt is “relatively healthy,” adding people want to maintain the eastern side as is.

There is, however, a question about the built environment since federal institutions operate within the Greenbelt. Levesque indicated there have been discussions about whether to keep the built environment the same, use more sustainable practices or phase it out altogether.

All the comments gathered at the workshops will be used to revise the policy statement and update the 1996 master plan, Lalonde continued. The NCC, she added, is tasked with managing and planning the Greenbelt.

The east-end workshop was just one of three the NCC hosted this week. It’s part of step two in a five step process that will take about three years to complete. Lalonde said all levels of government, an advisory committee comprised of 25 interest groups, as well as farmers were consulted during the first phase.

Once this second round is done, the consultant will go back and write a vision statement before coming up with three plans to make that vision a reality, Lalonde indicated. She added the consultant has been asked to come forward with three concept plans. Those plans should be ready for a second round of public consultations in the fall.