Public Involvement Centre #1 - Summary Report
Prepared by: Sarah Raetsen, B.Sc., Assistant Environmental Planner
Reviewed by: Brenda Jamieson, P.Eng., Assistant Project Manager
Contents
- 1.0 Introduction
- 2.0 Public And Agency Notification
- 3.0 Presentation Material
- 4.0 Public Comments
- 5.0 Analysis Of Comments
- 6.0 Conclusion
Figure
- Figure 1 Study Area
Tables
- Table 1 Summary Of Agency Contacts
- Table 2 Summary Of Public Comments
Appendices
| Appendix A | Public Involvement Centre No. 1 Notices |
| Appendix B | Sample Notification Letters to Interested Public, Special Interest Groups and External Agencies |
| Appendix C | Public Involvement Centre No. 1 Exhibits (see: Get Involved: Public Involvement Centre #1 |
| Appendix D | Summary of Comments Received and Responses |
1.0 Introduction
The Ministry of transportation (MTO), in partnership with Totten Sims Hubicki (TSH) Associates, and in consultation with the City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission, is undertaking a Preliminary Design Study and class Environmental Assessment of the Ottawa Queensway (Highway 417) from Highway 416 easterly to Anderson Road. this study will be carried out in accordance with the "class Environmental Assessment for Provincial transportation Facilities, 2000" and will assess the short and longer term needs of this section of the Queensway in terms of potential operational improvements, transportation Demand Measures (tdM), and Intelligent transportation Systems (ITS) in order to enhance mobility and reduce congestion. In addition, the study will investigate alternatives for, and recommend an interchange configuration at Hunt Club Road.
In accordance with the Government of Ontario's SmartGrowth objectives, the Queensway study is intended to evaluate opportunities to maximize the use of the existing facility, while providing for the efficient movement of people and goods and reducing gridlock.
Figure 1 Study Area
Highway 417 (Ottawa Queensway)
Preliminary Design Study and Environmental Assessment
from Highway 416 easterly to Anderson Road
MTO G.W.P. 663-93-00
The purpose of this report is to present an overview of the first round of Public Involvement Centres (PICs) and to document public response in accordance with the approved planning process for Group 'B' projects under the class Environmental Assessment for Provincial transportation Facilities (2000).
The first round of PICs were held on:
| Tuesday, January 21, 2003 |
Pineview Golf Club
471 Blair Road Gloucester |
| Wednesday, January 22, 2003 |
Jim Durrell Arena
1265 Walkley Road Ottawa |
| Thursday, January 23, 2003 |
Confederation High School
1645 Woodroffe Avenue Nepean |
| Thursday, January 30, 2003 |
Ottawa City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West Ottawa |
The first three PIC sessions were held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. the fourth session on thursday January 30 was extended by one hour to 9:00 p.m. A Municipal and Agency Review Session was held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. prior to the first session on Tuesday January 21. Its purpose was to allow external agencies to view the presentation material and to discuss the project with Ministry and consultant representatives. the main PIC sessions provided an opportunity for all members of the public to view the display material and to discuss the project with Ministry and consultant representatives. Attendees were encouraged to provide written comments.
Ministry of transportation and consultant representatives were available to respond to any inquiries. Ministry representatives included:
- Senior Project Engineer - Dave Lindensmith
- Area Engineer, Planning and Design - Phil Pawliuk
- Environmental Planner, Environmental Unit - Dave McAvoy
- Senior Environmental Planner, Acoustics - Chris Blaney
Consultant representatives included:
- Project Manager, Study Consultant - Brian Ruck
- Assistant Project Manager - Brenda Jamieson
- Environmental Planner - Paul Moore
- transportation Planning / traffic Engineer - Mike Delsey / Doug Robertson
- Integration Modeler - Rajeev Roy
- Noise Specialist - Steve Taylor
- Additional support staff, including two French speaking individuals
The purpose of the first PIC was to present the following:
- Introduce Project;
- Present Draft Study Design Report;
- Present the assessment and evaluation of "Alternatives to" the Undertaking;
- Identify the "Alternative(s) to" the Undertaking which will be carried forward;
- Present background information, including the traffic Analysis, Environmental Inventories and Corridor Analysis;
- Present Long-List and Short-Listed "Alternative Methods" for the Undertaking at a conceptual level;
- Present the evaluation criteria and methodology to select the Technically Preferred Alternative(s); and
- To obtain public input.
2.0 Public and Agency Notification
One of the key objectives of the environmental planning process is to provide the public, interested parties and affected agencies with ample and frequent opportunities for meaningful input. In order to ensure this objective is met, a comprehensive public and agency notification program was undertaken and included the following:
Newspaper Notices
Notices for the first three PIC sessions were placed in the following local newspapers the week of January 13, 2003:
- Ottawa Citizen (English Version)
- Ottawa Sun (English Version)
- Ottawa Le Droit (French Version)
- Nepean this Week (English Version)
- Kanata Kourier (English Version)
- the Star (Gloucester) - (English Version)
- Weekly Journal - East Edition (English Version)
- Weekend Outaouais (French Version)
Notices for the PIC held on thursday January 30, 2003 were placed in the following newspapers:
- Ottawa Citizen (English Version): Wednesday January 22 and Saturday January 25, 2003;
- Ottawa Sun (English Version): Wednesday January 22 and Saturday January 25, 2003; and
- Le Droit (French Version): Wednesday January 22 and Saturday January 25, 2003.
The English and French versions of the PIC No. 1 notices are provided in Appendix A.
Flyers
On Wednesday January 8, 2003, flyers consisting of the English version of the PIC Notice on one side and the French version of the PIC Notice on the other side were delivered to a number of high exposure locations in proximity to the Queensway study area. the approach used for distribution was to maximize the exposure in locations other than the single family residential areas, anticipating that the latter will be notified through the residents' associations and by the newspaper advertisements. In locations such as the YMCA and the high density apartment buildings on Lees Avenue, notices were placed in a number of prominent locations including laundry rooms, on lobby bulletin boards and on community service boards. In locations where interest was anticipated from employees commuting to work, copies were left for circulation as well as for posting. Community colleges, community recreational facilities and libraries were mailed copies of the notice with a request to post them prominently. A copy of the notices are provided in Appendix A.
The following list identifies the majority of locations at which notices were posted or left:
- Royal Ottawa Hospital
- Queensway Carleton Hospital
- Ottawa Civic Hospital
- Florida Fitness, Morrison Drive
- Ottawa Citizen, National Post, Baxter Street
- Ottawa-Carleton School Board
- Independent Grocers, Westgate Plaza
- MTO Licencing Facility, Walkley Road
- MTO Licencing Facility, tremblay Road
- Loblaws, Metcalfe Street and Isabella Street
- YMCA Argyle Avenue
- 169, 170, 171, 180, 190 Lees Avenue (apartment buildings)
A copy of the flyer was also mailed to all individuals on the study mailing list. In addition, letters of notification were mailed to special interest groups and external agencies. Sample notification letters are provided in Appendix B.
Agency Contacts
Letters of notification were sent to the external agencies listed in Table 1.
Table 1: Summary of Agency Contacts
| Municipal Contacts |
|---|
| OC transpo, City of Ottawa transit Services |
| Public Works and Government Services |
| Ottawa-Carleton District School Board |
| Ottawa-Carleton Catholic Separate School Board |
| French Public School Board |
| Conseil des écoles publiques de langue française |
| Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario |
| Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce |
| Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority |
| Ottawa Economic Development Corporation |
| transport 2000 |
| Real Estate Board of Ottawa-Carleton |
| Provincial Contacts |
| Ministry of Natural Resources, Southcentral Region |
| Ministry of Natural Resources, Kemptville Provincial District Office Government Office |
| Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Eastern Region |
| Ministry of Tourism, Eastern Region |
| Ministry of Environment, Ottawa District Office |
| Ministry of Economic Development and trade, Ottawa Office |
| Rideau Valley Conservation Authority |
| Federal Contacts |
| National Capital Commission |
| Environment Canada, Ontario Region Great Lakes and Corporate Affairs |
| Navigable Waters Protection Program Canadian Coast Guard Central and Arctic Region |
| Health Canada |
| National Energy Board |
| Environmental Services, A & ES |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Prescott District Office |
| Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency - Ontario Region |
| Indian and Northern Affairs Canada |
| Other Agency Contacts |
| Algonquins of Pikwakanagan |
| Mohawks of Akwesasne |
| Ontario Restaurant and Hotel/Motel Association |
| the Ontario trucking Association |
| CAA Ontario |
| Ontario East Economic Development Commission |
| Community Groups |
| Child & Youth Friendly Ottawa |
| Champlain Park Community Association |
| Centretown Citizens' Community Association |
| Carleton heights and Area Residents Association |
| Carlingwood Community Association |
| Cardinal Glen Association |
| Carlington Community Association |
| Canterbury Community Association |
| Britannia Woods Community Association |
| Belltown Neighbours |
| Bel Air-Kenson Park Community Association |
| Alta Vista Residents Association |
| Alta Vista Community Association |
| Action Sandy-Hill/Action Cote-de-Sable |
| Katimavik-Hazeldean Community Association |
| Island Park Community Association |
| Hunt Club Park Community Association |
| Hintonburg Community Association |
| Highland Park Ratepayers' Association |
| Heron Park North Community Association |
| Glebe Community Alliance |
| Glabar Park Community Alliance Inc. |
| Frank Ryan Park Community Association |
| Foster Farm Community Association |
| Federation of Citizens' Associations of Ottawa-Carleton |
| Fairlea Community Association |
| Faircrest heights Community Association |
| Dow's Lake Residents' Association |
| Dalhousie Community Association |
| Copeland Park Community Alliance |
| Coalition of Inner City Community Associations |
| Old Ottawa South Community Association |
| New Edinburgh Community Alliance |
| Neighbourhood Alert |
| McNabb Neighbourhood Improvement Bunch (McNib) |
| Manor Park Community Association |
| Lowertown Community Association |
| Lindenlea Community Association |
| King Edward Avenue Task Force |
| Roseberry Avenue Residents Committee Inc. |
| Riverside Park Community & Recreation Association |
| Riverview Park Community Association |
| Ridgement Community Association |
| Quinterra Riverwood Community Association |
| Queensway Terrace North Community Association |
| Ottawa Uplands Limited |
| Ottawa East Community Association |
| Citizens for Safe Cycling |
| Woodroffe North Community Association |
| West Wellington Community Association |
| Woodpark Community Association |
| Whitehaven Community Association |
| Westboro Community Association |
| Westboro Beach Community Association (Inc.) |
| Uplands on the Rideau Association |
| St-Laurent Community Association |
| South Key/Greenboro Community Association |
In summary, the notification of PIC No. 1 was communicated to the general public and all identified community interest groups and federal, provincial and municipal agencies.
3.0 Presentation Material
To view the exhibits presented at Public Involvement Centre No. 1, which are provided in Appendix C, go toGet Involved: Public Involvement Centre #1
4.0 Public Comments
The total number of people who signed the register and the number of comment sheets that were received during the first round of PICs are summarized as follows:
- Ninety-five (95) persons registered and fifty (50) comment sheets were received for Tuesday January 21;
- One hundred (100) persons registered and forty-nine (49) comment sheets were received for Wednesday January 22;
- Ninety-four (94) persons registered and forty-seven (47) comment sheets were received for thursday January 23; and
- Two hundred thirty-seven (237) persons registered and one hundred seventy-six (176) comment sheets were received for thursday January 30.
In addition, approximately one hundred fifty-four (154) e-mails, twenty-seven (27) letters and faxes, and thirteen (13) telephone calls were received in the two weeks following the PICs.
The public comments documented on the comment sheets are summarized in Table 2. A summary of the comments received and the responses provided can be found in Appendix D of this report.
Table 2: Summary of Public Comments
January 21, 2003
| Description of Comment | Number of Comments |
|---|---|
| Focus should be on public transit not roadway widening | 19 |
| Widening the Queensway will lead to more cars "short-cutting" through side streets, thereby creating greater traffic congestion and safety issues | 1 |
| there should be an increase in tdM alternatives including adding car pool lots, reducing the speed limit on the Queensway and adding HOV lanes | 5 |
| Concerned about property impacts including devaluation and expropriation | 12 |
| Concerned about impacts on neighbourhoods due to loss of houses, movement of neighbours, etc. | 2 |
| Concerns regarding the loss of historical buildings in the downtown core due to expropriation | 2 |
| Concerns regarding the impacts to individuals due to the loss of homes, changes in neighbourhoods, etc. | 2 |
| Comments related to a specific location | 6 |
| Comments related to a specific ramp | 9 |
| Need to be able to access study information on a project-specific website | 4 |
| Comments related to a specific sketch presented at the PIC | 3 |
| Concerns regarding increased vibration levels on homes in close proximity to the Queensway | 2 |
| Concerns regarding an overall increase in air pollution | 9 |
| Concerns regarding an increase in noise levels on properties in close proximity to the Queensway | 11 |
| Questioned why the study is planning to increase the number of cars on the road, thus increasing pollution levels at a time when the Kyoto Accord is so important | 2 |
| Concerns regarding the impacts to cyclists and their highway crossings | 4 |
| Concerns related to the pedestrian crossings at on and off ramps and interchanges (safety) | 4 |
| Questions as to "when will the widening begin?" and "how long will it take to complete the widening?" | 1 |
| Concerns regarding a decline in safety due to more cars on the roads | 3 |
| Concerns regarding an increase in poor health due to increased pollutants in the air, increased stress levels, etc. | 3 |
| Request for particular information presented at the PIC | 5 |
| Concerns regarding the lack of a PIC in an area closer to the centre core (note: January 30 PIC at City Centre added to address this concern) | 5 |
| Concerns regarding the amount of information to be viewed at the PIC | 5 |
| Concerns regarding the lack of co-ordination with the City of Ottawa on this study | 2 |
| Request for more/larger sound barriers on the Queensway | 1 |
| Support for the need to increase lanes on the Queensway | 1 |
| Request to be placed on the mailing list for the study | 5 |
| Request to be placed on the Public Advisory Committee | 1 |
| Description of Comment | Number of Comments |
|---|---|
| Focus should be on public transit not roadway widening | 18 |
| there should be an increase in tdM alternatives including adding car pool lots, reducing the speed limit on the Queensway and adding HOV lanes | 8 |
| Concerned about property impacts including devaluation and expropriation | 11 |
| Concerned about impacts on neighbourhoods due to loss of houses, movement of neighbours, etc. | 2 |
| Concerns regarding the loss of historical buildings in the downtown core due to expropriation | 2 |
| Concerns regarding the impacts to individuals due to the loss of homes, changes in neighbourhoods, etc. | 2 |
| Comments related to a specific location | 8 |
| Comments related to a specific ramp | 14 |
| Need to be able to access study information on a project-specific website | 5 |
| Comments related to a specific sketch presented at the PIC | 4 |
| Concerns regarding increased vibration levels on homes in close proximity to the Queensway | 2 |
| Concerns regarding an overall increase in air pollution | 3 |
| Concerns regarding an increase in noise levels on properties in close proximity to the Queensway | 2 |
| Concerns regarding the impacts to cyclists and their highway crossings | 1 |
| Concerns related to the pedestrian crossings at on and off ramps and interchanges (safety) | 1 |
| Concerns regarding a decline in safety due to more cars on the roads | 1 |
| Concerns regarding an increase in poor health due to increased pollutants in the air, increased stress levels, etc. | 1 |
| Request for particular information presented at the PIC | 5 |
| Concerns regarding the lack of a PIC in an area closer to the centre core (note: January 30 PIC added at City Centre to address this concern) | 1 |
| Concerns regarding the amount of information to be viewed at the PIC | 1 |
| Concerns regarding the lack of co-ordination with the City of Ottawa on this study | 7 |
| Support for the need to increase lanes on the Queensway | 6 |
| Inquired about a Ring Road | 4 |
| Request to be placed on the mailing list for the study | 5 |
| Request to be put on the Public Advisory Committee | 2 |
| Description of Comment | Number of Comments |
|---|---|
| Focus should be on public transit not roadway widening | 11 |
| there should be an increase in tdM alternatives including adding car pool lots, reducing the speed limit on the Queensway and adding HOV lanes | 10 |
| Concerned about property impacts including devaluation and expropriation | 7 |
| Comments related to a specific location | 13 |
| Comments related to a specific ramp | 12 |
| Need to be able to access Study information on a project-specific website | 4 |
| Comments related to a specific sketch presented at the PIC | 4 |
| Concerns regarding an overall increase in air pollution | 1 |
| Concerns regarding an increase in noise levels on homes in close proximity to the Queensway | 4 |
| Questioned why the study is planning to increase the number of cars on the road, thus increasing pollution levels at a time when the Kyoto Accord is so important | 1 |
| Concerns regarding the impacts to cyclists and their highway crossings | 2 |
| Concerns related to the pedestrian crossings at on and off ramps and interchanges (safety) | 2 |
| Concerns regarding a decline in safety due to more cars on the roads | 1 |
| Concerns regarding an increase in poor health due to increased pollutants in the air, increased stress levels, etc. | 1 |
| Request for particular information presented at the PIC | 1 |
| Concerns regarding the lack of a PIC in an area closer to the centre core (note: January 30 PIC at City Centre added to address this concern) | 1 |
| Concerns regarding the amount of information to be viewed at the PIC | 1 |
| Concerns regarding the lack of co-ordination with the City of Ottawa on this study | 6 |
| Request for more/larger sound barriers on the Queensway | 5 |
| Support for the need to increase lanes on the Queensway | 3 |
| Inquired about a Ring Road | 7 |
| Concerns regarding the EA Process | 5 |
| Request to be placed on the mailing list for the study | 1 |
January 30, 2003
| Description of Comment | Number of Comments |
|---|---|
| Focus should be on public transit not roadway widening | 93 |
| there should be an increase in tdM alternatives including adding car pool lots, reducing the speed limit on the Queensway and adding HOV lanes | 21 |
| Concerned about property Impacts including devaluation and expropriation | 60 |
| Concerned about impacts on neighbourhoods due to loss of houses, movement of neighbours, etc. | 18 |
| Concerns regarding the loss of historical buildings in the downtown core due to expropriation | 18 |
| Concerns regarding the impacts to individuals due to the loss of homes, changes in neighbourhoods, etc. | 18 |
| Comments related to a specific location | 25 |
| Comments related to a specific ramp | 24 |
| Widening the Queensway will lead to more cars "short-cutting" through side streets, thereby creating greater traffic congestion and safety issues | 16 |
| Need to be able to access study information on a project-specific website | 9 |
| Comments related to a specific sketch presented at the PIC | 21 |
| Concerns regarding increased vibration levels on homes in close proximity to the Queensway | 3 |
| Concerns regarding an overall increase in air pollution | 23 |
| Concerns regarding an increase in noise levels on homes in close proximity to the Queensway | 21 |
| Questioned why the study is planning to increase the number of cars on the road, thus increasing pollution levels at a time when the Kyoto Accord is so important | 6 |
| Concerns regarding the impacts to cyclists and their highway crossings | 12 |
| Concerns related to the pedestrian crossings at on and off ramps and interchanges (safety) | 12 |
| Concerns regarding a decline in safety due to more cars on the roads | 13 |
| Concerns regarding an increase in poor health due to increased pollutants in the air, increased stress levels, etc. | 13 |
| Request for particular information presented at the PIC | 12 |
| Concerns regarding the lack of a PIC in an area closer to the centre core (note: January 30 PIC at the City Centre added to address this concern) | 11 |
| Concerns regarding the amount of information to be viewed at the PIC | 11 |
| Concerns regarding the lack of co-ordination with the City of Ottawa on this study | 36 |
| Request for more/larger sound barriers on the Queensway | 9 |
| Support for the need to increase lanes on the Queensway | 3 |
| Inquired about a Ring Road | 16 |
| Concerns regarding the EA Process | 4 |
| Has anyone considered making the Queensway a "tolled" roadway? | 1 |
| Request to be placed on the mailing list for the study | 12 |
| Request to be put on the Public Advisory Committee | 1 |
5.0 Analysis Of Comments
The results of the comment sheets received and discussions held at the first round of PICs are generally summarized below:
- the majority of attendees stated that public transit needs to be a priority not the addition of lanes to the Queensway which will provide increased capacity for cars. Other alternatives to the undertaking, such as HOV lanes, should also be reviewed further.
- A number of attendees stated that they were opposed to the widening of the Queensway.
- the main areas of concern included property impacts, property loss, neighbourhood impacts, noise, air quality and vibration impacts, and safety.
- Members of the public were concerned about the loss of heritage buildings in Old Ottawa East, including the Old City Hall building. In general, the public showed concern about changes to their community due to the possible demolition of houses and buildings, and the loss of neighbours.
- Concern was expressed that the study is being carried out without input from the City of Ottawa.
- A number of concerns were site-specific in nature, including concerns about particular ramps and specific alternatives under consideration.
- A number of attendees requested that their name be added to the mailing list. there were also several requests to be added to the Public Advisory Committee.
- there were requests for a project-specific website and/or hard copies for the PIC presentation material.
6.0 Conclusion
In conclusion, the combination of the strong turn-out to the PICs and the considerable number of written responses received has allowed key issues important to the attendees and interested parties to be clearly documented. this strong feedback will provide TSH with the opportunity to ensure that key issues are dealt with as completely as possible before undertaking the assessment and evaluation of the design alternatives and presenting the Technically Preferred Alternative to the public at the second round of PICs.
The majority of the attendees at the PIC expressed concern about the widening of the Queensway and the overall long-term impacts on the property owners in the vicinity of the Queensway. Many of the comments were related to property and neighbourhood impacts and air pollution, vibration and noise levels impacts over the years as the number of vehicles on the Queensway increases.
Many attendees at the PIC expressed concern that increasing the number of lanes on the Queensway would only invite more single-occupancy vehicles onto the road. Many people feel that the answer to the problem of congestion on the Queensway is to increase public transit, thereby forcing individuals to leave their vehicles and use local transit.
Residents of the centre core felt that they were being negatively impacted in order to allow people living in the suburbs to use their vehicles to get to the downtown area. Many residents of the centre core stressed that they moved to the centre area to avoid the use of a vehicle, having the opportunity to walk to their destinations or to take public transit.
No major concerns were expressed about the environmental inventory work undertaken for the study nor were any concerns expressed regarding the proposed evaluation methodology and evaluation criteria.
Summary Report | Appendix A | Appendix B | Appendix C | Appendix D
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