On October 31st, 2024, the People’s Official Plan coalition (POP) submitted feedback to the City of Ottawa’s planning and zoning team on Draft 1 of the New Comprehensive Zoning By-law. The first draft of the new Zoning By-law was released in May 2024, and was followed by a public review period. The public review period consisted of ward-specific public consultations and the opportunity to submit written feedback.
The POP submission provided recommendations and metrics on zoning policies that would enhance equitable and affordable housing opportunities with respect to rentals, demographic needs, emergency and temporary housing, as well as 15-minute neighbourhoods. POP recommended that the second draft of the Zoning By-law, which is expected to be released in the spring of 2025, should integrate a food security systems lens with clear linkages to the city’s recently approved Poverty Reduction Strategy.
The POP submission made clear recommendations for how zoning can regulate, create and preserve soft landscaping greenspace for canopy trees through required soil volumes, larger front yard setbacks, soft landscaping minimums, and greater priority for shade trees in equity-deserving neighbourhoods. We emphasized the need for zoning to support climate mitigation and green stormwater engineering. The recommended metrics for trees and greenspaces were supported by research presented in version 3.0 of the Trees and Zoning position paper by CAFES Ottawa. As Ottawa continues to adapt to climate change and increasing intensification, POP strongly supports a compact city that is green, equitable, and livable for all.
In January 2024, City Planning Staff provided responses to each of our recommendations. Below you can read our original submission, as well as a version that includes Staff replies, which are written in blue under each item.