February 14, Mr. Josh Kardish Abbott/Fernbank Holdings Inc. c/o The Regional Group 1737 Woodward Drive, 2nd Floor Ottawa, ON K2C 0P9

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1 February 14, 2013 Mr. Josh Kardish Abbott/Fernbank Holdings Inc. c/o The Regional Group 1737 Woodward Drive, 2nd Floor Ottawa, ON K2C 0P9 Dear Mr. Kardish: RE: Abbott/Fernbank Holdings, Brookfield East, Fernbank Road Integrated Environmental Review - Updated Introduction This Integrated Environmental Review (IER) has been prepared for a mixed-type urban residential development in the Fernbank Community Design Plan lands between Kanata and Stittsville. The initial 2010 IER has been revised to fulfill Condition 84 of the Draft Approval and to provide a summary of additional assessments of the natural heritage features. The site is on the north side of Fernbank Road, south of the Trans Canada Trail recreational pathway on a former rail line, in part of Lot 28, Concession 10 of the Geographic Township of Goulbourn, City of Ottawa. The site, 67.5 hectares, is dominated by agricultural fields, with scattered trees and shrubs along the periphery and between fields, and around the former farmhouse and other former structures in the south portion of the site, north of Fernbank Road (Figure 1). A small cedar forest is in the southeast portion of the site. A dual steel tower east-west hydro corridor is in the north portion of the site, south of the Trans Canada Trail. Section of the 2003 City of Ottawa Official Plan requires production of an IER to assess major development applications such as the Brookfield East residential development. The overall objective of the IER is to ensure that significant findings from support studies are integrated and assessed as a complete package. Specifically the IER demonstrates how all the studies in support of the application influence the design of the development with respect to effects on the environment and compliance with the appropriate policies of Section 4 of the City of Ottawa Official Plan and the principles of design with nature, along with the recommendations and guidelines of the Fernbank Community Design Plan (WND, 2009), the Fernbank Environmental Management Plan (Novatech, 2009c) and the Fernbank Master Servicing Study (Novatech, 2009b). 491 Buchanan Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1J 7V2 Tel (613) , Fax (613)

2 The following items are an integral part of the scope of an IER, as detailed in Section of the City of Ottawa Official Plan. a. An overview of the results of individual technical studies and other relevant environmental background material; b. A graphic illustration, such as an air photo, summarizing the spatial features and functions as identified in the individual studies; c. A summary of the potential environmental concerns raised, the scope of environmental interactions between studies, and the total package of mitigation measures, including any required development conditions and monitoring, as recommended in individual studies; d. A statement with respect to how the recommendations of the support studies and the design with nature approach have influenced the design of the development; and, e. An indication that the statement has been reviewed and concurred with by the individual subconsultants involved in the design team and technical studies. Site Context and Description of the Proposal The site is designated General Urban Area on Schedule B of the City of Ottawa Official Plan. No environmental constraints are identified for the site on Schedule K of the Official Plan. The overall Fernbank Community Design Plan lands are adjacent to the established communities of Stittsville to the west, Kanata West to the north and Glencairn to the east. The Fernbank Community Design Plan was adopted by City Council in July, The site itself is bordered by future residential lands to the west and east, the hydro corridor and the TransCanada Trail to the north and agricultural lands to the south. Details of the urban residential development are provided in Regional (2009). The site will be developed as a mixed-use subdivision, with low and medium density residential the primary uses. The proposed development consists of 509 lots for single detached residential units, nine blocks for row house dwellings with a total of approximately 265 townhouse units, and one block each for medium density housing (about 94 terrace homes), an one-hectare neighbourhood park, a stormwater management pond extending onto lands to the east, and a mixed-use 7.1 hectare block known as the Village Green. Blocks are also identified for institutional (two schools) and public (transit park-and-ride and paramedic post) use. Access to the site will primarily be off Fernbank Road, a future north-south major arterial road along the west boundary of the site and an east-west collector road in the middle of the site. Seven roads that connect through to the lands to the east will ensure seamless points of connectivity as contemplated in the Fernbank Community Design Plan (Regional, 2009). The site will be on full municipal services. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 2

3 Regional (2009) concluded that the proposed draft Plan of Subdivision conforms with the specific design details and local policies outlined in the Fernbank Community Design Plan, as well as the broad planning policies in the City s Official Plan and the policies of the Provincial Policy Statement. For example, 58 percent of the proposed residential units are single detached, consistent with the Fernbank Community Design Plan objective that not more than 60 percent of the total units within the Fernbank Community shall be single detached or semi-detached housing. The medium density residential block will be within walking distance of a major transit station and next to the Village Green. The terrace homes will be divided up as a condominium. These units represent 11 percent of the proposed units and thus meet the Community Design Plan objective of a minimum of ten percent will be rental or condominium units. The draft Plan of Subdivision is consistent in land use and street layout with the adopted Fernbank Community Design Plan, with the exception of some minor adjustments to street configurations to reflect agreed-upon changes with neighbouring owners (Regional, 2009). Summary of Technical Studies Geotechnical Investigations Houle Chevrier (2007) conducted a geotechnical investigation of the site and adjacent lands in Except for a ridge in the northwest corner the site topography is generally flat, with a gentle downward slope to the east. The northwest ridge raises the elevation to approximately metres. A minimum elevation of approximately metres in the southeast corner gives a total elevation differential of approximately 7.75 metres across the site (Novatech, 2009). The soils on the site are generally topsoil overlying very stiff to stiff weathered silty clay, clayey silt, silt, silty sand and glacial till (Houle Chevrier, 2007). Glacial tills are common in the southwest portion of the site. The bedrock consists of interbedded silty dolostone and limestone of the Gull River formation. A northwest-southeast aligned bedrock fault is mapped for the north portion of the site (Houle Chevrier, 2007). Based on published information the bedrock faults in the Ottawa area are not known to be active (Houle Chevrier, 2007). Portions of bedrock are exposed along the northwest ridge. Elsewhere the depth of overburden is up to four metres. Groundwater levels in standpipes in test pits and bore holes assessed by Houle Chevrier (2007) were between 0.6 and 1.1 metres below ground surface on May 24 th, 2007, with some test pits dry. No grade raise restrictions are anticipated for the west portion of the site, with grade raises restricted to between 1.2 and 1.5 metres in the south and north portions of the east part of the site (Novatech, 2009). The grade raises are less restrictive, between 2 and 2.5 metres, in the centraleast portion of the site (Novatech, 2009). There are no significant changes to the Fernbank Master Servicing Study Grading Plan anticipated with the development of the site. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 3

4 Terrestrial Environment The Tree Conservation Report (Muncaster, 2009) describes the features of the terrestrial environment. The site is isolated from a natural environment perspective by on-site and adjacent agricultural activity and expanding urban residential developments. The site is dominated by agricultural fields, including row crops and pasture lands. Areas of woody vegetation include a cedar wooded area in the southeast, an area of Manitoba maples in the southwest, a willow thicket in the north and remnants of deciduous hedgerows along the borders of the fields and the site (Figure 1). The largest cedars in the southeast woodlot are up to 49cm diameter at breast height (dbh), with most stems in the range of 20cm. A 32cm dbh white spruce is at the southeast edge of the forest. A grove of Manitoba maple trees is in the southwest portion of the site, to the northwest of the former farmhouse. Most Manitoba maples are coppice (multi-stem) with individual stems up to 38cm dbh. A 60cm dbh white elm is also in this area. A third grouping of trees is in the northwest portion of the site, among fencing and rock piles. These trees include white cedars up to 20cm dbh, a mature 58cm dbh white ash, an over-mature coppice basswood with individual stems up to 62cm dbh, and smaller white elm, white spruce and large-toothed aspen. The larger trees have broken major limbs, some bark damage and areas of trunk splitting. Common juniper, hawthorn and crabapple are also present. White elm, poplars, Manitoba maple and ash are not generally favoured for retention due to their susceptibility to disease and associated generally shorter life span. The minimal width and intermittent nature of the woody vegetation cover, along with the adjacent agricultural land use and increasing residential developments greatly limit any current natural heritage linkage function. The site is not part of or adjacent to a natural area, as identified in the former Region s Natural Environment System Strategy or the Urban Natural Area Environmental Evaluation Study. The closest Natural Area is the low rated Abbott/Iber Woodlot Urban Natural Area to the north of Abbott Street and west of Iber Road, approximately 600 metres to the northwest of the north portion of the site. Aquatic Habitat The on-site agricultural ditches convey surface water flow during storm events to the Monahan Drain, flowing west to east from the east-central portion of the site. As described in the Fernbank Community Design Plan (WND, 2009), the central and east portions of the Drain, to the east of this site, will be retained as open space within a forty metre corridor, with a stormwater management pond in the east portion of the site feeding treated surface water into the Drain. The loss of intermittent indirect aquatic habitat in the other channels will be compensated for with habitat enhancements along the Monahan Drain corridor to the east, as discussed in more detail below. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 4

5 Stormwater Site Management and Other Servicing The stormwater management and other servicing approaches for the site are identified by Novatech (2009), using the Master Servicing Study (Novatech, 2009b) as a blueprint for urban development of the site. The servicing analysis conforms to the conclusions and recommendations outlined in the Master Servicing Study (Novatech, 2009b) and the Fernbank Environmental Management Plan (Novatech, 2009c), both of which were approved by City Council on June 24, Some minor changes are recommended to the local sanitary and water systems to coordinate with development on adjacent lands, to follow the proposed road networks and to provide more efficient servicing. Novatech (2009) concluded that there is adequate existing or proposed infrastructure (sanitary, storm and water) to service the proposed Brookfield East urban development. For potable water the Glencairn pumping station will be upgraded by the City of Ottawa when required based on the overall rate of growth which occurs in the entire Zone 3W Area. The site will be connected to the existing watermain network by way of two separate feed points. One connection is proposed to the existing 400mm diameter main running north of the hydro corridor. A second watermain connection will be provided through the neighbouring residential lands to the east (Monarch-Cardel) and the existing 400mm main on Terry Fox Drive. In accordance with the Master Servicing Study (Novatech, 2009b), the wastewater will require a capacity upgrade to the Hazeldean pump station before development can proceed. The initial pump station upgrade is planned for Sanitary flow from the Abbott-Fernbank lands is proposed to connect into downstream sewer systems at four different nodes, with the Fernbank sanitary trunk required from the Hazeldean pump station to service the site. For stormwater management as indicated above, a joint stormwater management pond will be constructed in the central-east portion of the site. The facility is identified as Pond 6. Runoff from the site will be directed to Pond 6, which will be designed to provide both quantity and quality control. The stormwater management facility will outlet to the Monahan Drain, upstream of the existing inline stormwater management facility and constructed wetland between Terry Fox Drive and Fernbank Road. The water quality treatment will be at Level 1 (enhanced protection), providing 80 percent long-term total suspended sediment removal. To further enhance the existing downstream aquatic habitat the end-of-pipe facilities will be designed to provide extended detention storage for both baseflow enhancement and water quality control. Temperature mitigation measures are to be incorporated, with the goal of ensuring that the temperature of discharged stormwater does not exceed the target values of a maximum discharge temperature of 25º C and a preferred discharge temperature of 22º C. Novatech (2009) concluded that the proposed stormwater management infrastructure will not result in any adverse impacts on flood elevations or increase the extent of flooding in the downstream channel. Pond 6 is located at the headwaters of the Monahan Drain and will be designed to have no adverse impacts on the function of the downstream Monahan Drain MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 5

6 Constructed Wetlands stormwater management facility. Post-development peak flows are not to exceed pre-development levels for all storms up to the 100-year event (Novatech, 2009). Novatech (2009) noted that the hydrogeologic conditions of the site will be altered by the increase in hard surfaces and the increased efficiency of stormwater conveyance. The net result will be a reduction in groundwater infiltration, which can potentially result in a reduction in the groundwater table, reduction of baseflow in watercourses, reduced well capacities and consolidation of the overburden. The increase in storm runoff will be accounted for by the proposed stormwater management facility and provide an opportunity for baseflow enhancement in the downstream Monahan Drain. The recommended infiltration target is to match predevelopment infiltration rates. The water balance analysis in the Fernbank Environmental Management Plan (Novatech, 2009c) indicates that maintaining annual pre-development infiltration should be achievable through the use of infiltration best management practices, with the types, locations, and suitability of infiltration best management practices dependant on site specific details and land use. The infiltration of surface runoff will be accomplished through lot level and conveyance controls including (Novatech, 2009): Infiltration of runoff captured by rearyard catchbasins; Direct roof leaders to rearyard areas; Infiltration trenches underlying drainage swales in park areas; and, The use of fine sandy loam topsoil in parks and on residential lawns. By implementing infiltration best management practices as part of the storm drainage design for the site, Novatech (2009) concluded that the impacts of development on the hydrologic cycle will be considerably reduced. Infiltration of clean runoff will also have additional benefits for stormwater management through increasing the performance of Pond 6 by reducing the volume of water conveyed to Pond 6. Archaeological Analysis A Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment was completed by Adams (2009). The Stage 1 Assessment included historical research, an evaluation of previous archaeological investigations and an analysis of the geography of the site. Adams (2009) concluded that portions of the site have moderate archaeological potential for pre-contact period aboriginal sites based on the presence of lands associated with the Champlain Sea shore. The lands along the borders of the bedrock ridge and overlooking lowlands associated with the receding Champlain Sea would have been available for past human settlement. In addition the possibility exists that evidence of first phase settlement on the site could be present near the Fernbank Road frontage (Adams, 2009). A Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment is recommended for the west and central portions of the site (see Figure 1) prior to any work which results in soil disturbance. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 6

7 Environmental Site Assessment Houle Chevrier Engineering completed a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment for the site and adjacent lands north of Fernbank Road between the site and Shea Road to the west (Houle Chevrier, 2008). Several potential environmental concerns were identified for the overall Fernbank lands with some applicable to the Brookfield East site including the presence of a hydro easement and a historical rail corridor, water wells with open hole construction, isolated piles of fill material from unknown origin and agricultural activity. The risk of contamination from these potential environmental concerns was considered low to moderate by Houle Chevrier (2008). Test pits and boreholes conducted by Houle Chevrier (2006) on the site and adjacent lands as part of a geotechnical investigation revealed no obvious signs of environmental contamination such as stained soils or hydrocarbon odours. Houle Chevrier (2008) concluded that a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment is recommended for portions of the overall site and that any debris on the site should be removed prior to completing the Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment. Summary of Potential Environmental Concerns Terrestrial Habitat No high quality specimen trees, Species at Risk, valued woodlands, urban natural areas, rare communities, wetlands, steep slopes or valleys were observed on or adjacent to the site. The small cedar forest and scattered deciduous trees are the only natural environment features of note on the site. Portions of the cedar forest, marked as A on Figure 1, will be retained in the south and east part of the institutional Block 523. A representation of the cluster of trees in the northwest portion of the site were considered for retention as part of the Village Green development in Block 514, marked as B on Figure 1. However due to grading and other site servicing constraints for this urban development, these trees cannot be retained. The other woody vegetation on the site, within the intermittent hedgerows and around the former farmhouse, are generally representative of less desirable species for retention including ash, poplar, Manitoba maple and white elm. These species have poor aesthetic, longevity, wildlife habitat attributes and/or are specimens in poorer condition. The density of urban development and the need to install services in proximity to rock, grade raises and blasting make tree retention difficult. The trees along the south side of the Trans Canada Trail are to the north of the hydro corridor and will not be adjacent to any proposed development. A Tree Cutting Permit, as issued on September 4 th, 2012 by the City of Ottawa. Over the long-term the aesthetic and wildlife value of the site can be improved with a generous planting of native trees and shrubs. There are no specific sensitivities for plantings on the site, with the exception of the possible presence of sensitive clay soils. It is understood that additional geotechnical information will be collected as part of the detailed engineering work and utilized in production of the Landscape Plan. The Landscape Plan should include native species where possible including a mix of coniferous and deciduous species such as sugar maple, red maple, basswood, butternut, bur oak, red oak, tamarack, white cedar and white spruce trees, along with MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 7

8 nannyberry, elderberry and dogwood shrubs. Where possible such as in the larger blocks, the woody vegetation should be planted in clusters to improve the wildlife benefit. Any trees to be retained must be protected with sturdy fencing installed a distance of ten times the trunk diameter from the trunk. No grading, boring or other activities that may cause soil compaction such as heavy machinery traffic or stockpiling of material are permitted within the fencing. No machinery maintenance or refuelling, storage of construction materials or stockpiling of earth is to occur within five metres of the protective fencing. The exhaust fumes from all equipment are not to be directed towards any canopy of the retained trees. Additional mitigation measures for tree protection are provided in Muncaster (2009) and the Tree Cutting Permit and are summarized in this report. To protect breeding birds, no tree or shrub removal should occur between April 15 th and July 31 st, unless a breeding bird survey conducted within five days of the woody vegetation removal identifies no active nests in the trees or shrubs. The root system, trunk and branches of the trees to be retained are not to be damaged. All sodding, seeding and tree and shrub planting are to be conducted correctly and as soon as weather and construction activity permits. Compliance is required with the Ministerial Order issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency prohibiting the movement of any ash material and firewood of all species of ash trees from the Ottawa area. Those ash trees which are removed from the site must be disposed of in accordance with the City of Ottawa Guidelines found at The Tree Cutting Permit specifies that a minimum of one replacement tree is planted for every tree removed. Where possible, these replacement trees shall be native to the Ottawa area, sourced from nurseries growing seed-zone appropriate planting stock, and appropriate to the site conditions as recommended by a qualified arborist. The success of all vegetative plantings will be assessed for one year through visual inspections in the spring and autumn following planting. Any plantings that are dead or dying will be replaced. Species at Risk Since the initial work was done on this site, three bird species observed on the site, bobolink, barn swallow and eastern meadowlark, are now designated threatened Species at Risk. A Development Plan submitted to the Kemptville District Ministry of Natural Resources for removal of 82.6 acres of potential habitat for these Species at Risk was approved on September 4 th, The potential habitat areas included hayfields and pasture lands. Fields cultivated in corn or soybeans or lands with extensive woody vegetation were not considered potential habitat. The compensation lands will be off-site and will be managed by the Rideau Waterway Land Trust. No other Species at Risk, including butternut were observed during the field surveys, including the extensive natural environment field surveys for the Fernbank Community Design MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 8

9 Plan (WND, 2009) and Environmental Management Plan (Novatech, 2009c). A Species at Risk Environmental Impact Statement was completed by Muncaster (2012). Aquatic Habitat Fish habitat compensation for the on-site removal of intermittent fish habitat in the Monaghan Drain and tributaries will be provided along the portion of the Monaghan Drain to be retained to the east of the site. These enhancement measures will be established in consultation with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and may include a variety of pool and riffle features, planting of riparian vegetation, addition of coarse substrate and placement of boulders and small woody debris to increase the availability of in-stream structure. In addition baseflow enhancement will be provided to the downstream aquatic habitat, a minimum forty metre wide riparian corridor will protect the aquatic habitat and stream function and the main branch of the Monahan Drain will be realigned to a more naturalized state. Sediment and Erosion Control during Construction During construction, existing conveyance systems can be exposed to significant sediment loadings. The following mitigative construction techniques will be deployed to reduce as much as possible sediment loadings during construction: Limit the extent of exposed soils at any given time and re-vegetate exposed areas as soon as possible; Groundwater removed from work areas will be pumped into a proper filter mechanism such as a sediment trap or filter bag prior to release to the environment; Seepage barriers such as silt fencing, straw bale check dams and other sediment and erosion control measures will be installed to OPSD requirements in any temporary drainage ditches and around disturbed areas during construction and stockpiles of fine material. These control measures must be properly maintained to maximize their function during construction; Silt fencing will be placed along the perimeter of the site; and, Filter cloths will remain on open surface structures such as manholes and catchbasins until these structures are commissioned and the surrounding landscape is stabilized. Monitoring is important to ensure the recommendations and mitigation measures identified for the construction and the post-construction operation periods are implemented and are effective in preventing adverse impacts on the environment. A qualified field inspector will conduct periodic visits during construction to ensure that the contractor is constructing the project in accordance with the approved design drawings, and mitigation measures are being implemented and maintained as specified. Silt fencing may require removal of sediment and/or repairs. The inspector must ensure that construction vehicles and chemicals, fuels and other potentially hazardous materials remain in designated areas. After complete build-out of each Phase of the urban subdivision, applicable sewers will be inspected and cleaned. All sediment and construction fencing must be removed following construction, providing there is no exposed soil or other potential sources of sedimentation or other contamination. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 9

10 Design with Nature Initiatives The natural environment features and functions associated with the site are limited. The following initiatives highlight the design with nature initiatives: The community is made up of a variety of housing forms and styles; A park will be located in the southeast portion of the site. Portions of Streets 2 and 6 will be single-loaded along the east and west sides of the park, respectively. This street frontage will enhance access and visibility into the parks; Other components of the greenspace network include the stormwater management block and sections of the TransCanada Trail and hydro corridor. An integrated network of multi-use pathways and sidewalks will facilitate pedestrian movement throughout the site among schools, parks, schools, transit and other community facilities and provide connections to adjacent communities; The extent of woody vegetation cover on the overall site will be increased over existing conditions with plantings of native local species wherever possible; Reasonable efforts will be made to retain existing trees on the institutional Block 523; Grassland habitat for Species at Risk will be provided through the Rideau Waterway Land Trust; and, The stormwater management pond (Pond 6) has been designed to provide natural environment protection, including the required water quality and quantity controls. The downstream aquatic habitat in the Monahan Drain will benefit from enhanced baseflow, better water quality and less erosion potential. Concurrence of Study Team The following members of the study team have reviewed this report and are in agreement with the content and recommendations: Josh Kardish, The Regional Group John Riddell, P. Eng., President, Novatech Engineering Consultants Ltd. Bernie Muncaster, M.Sc., Principal, Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 10

11 References Adams Heritage Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment. Brookfield East Development Fernbank Road. Part Lots 28, Concession 10, Geographic Township of Goulbourn, City of Ottawa. October 16, pp. City of Ottawa City of Ottawa Official Plan. As adopted by City Council, May, Publication: pp & Sched. Houle Chevrier Engineering Ltd Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation. Fernbank Community Design Plan, Ottawa, Ontario. May, Report No pp. & append. Houle Chevrier Engineering Ltd Phase 1- Environmental Site Assessment Shea Road, 5657 Fernbank Road and 5786 Fernbank Road. Brookfield Property, Ottawa, Ontario. October, Report No B. 20 pp. & append. Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc Tree Conservation Report. Abbott/Fernbank Holdings, Fernbank Road. November 6, pp & Fig. Muncaster Environmental Planning Inc Environmental Impact Statement Species at Risk. Abbott/Fernbank Holdings, Fernbank Road. March 30, pp & Append. Novatech Engineering Consultants Ltd Conceptual Site Servicing, Assessment of Adequacy of Public Services and Stormwater Site Management. Abbott-Fernbank Holdings Inc., Fernbank Community Lands. November 30, Novatech file Reference R pp & append. Novatech Engineering Consultants Ltd. 2009b. Fernbank Master Servicing Study. June 24, Novatech Engineering Consultants Ltd. 2009c. Fernbank Environmental Management Plan. June 24, Regional Group of Companies Inc Planning Rationale, Brookfield East Landholding. Application for Draft Plan of Subdivision. Part of Lot 28, Concession 10, Geographic Township of Goulbourn, City of Ottawa. December 22, pp. Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Ltd Fernbank Community Design Plan. June 24, MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 11

12 Please call if you have any questions on this revised Integrated Environmental Review. Yours Sincerely, MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. Bernie Muncaster, M.Sc. Principal \ierfernreg MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 12

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