Southwest Transitway Extension Baseline Road to Norice Street Environmental Assessment Minor Modification Report September 2009
Environmental Assessment Minor Modification Report Southwest Transitway Extension Baseline Road to Norice Street Alternative configurations for Baseline Station were investigated to determine a station footprint compatible with the proposed Algonquin College developments. The proposed configuration consisted of at-grade local station components perpendicular to the grade-separated Transitway and on-line (below-grade) rapid transit station components along the length of the Transitway. This configuration located the local platform directly above and perpendicular to the Transitway, allowing for direct vertical connections between the local and Transitway platforms. The need to construct a centre island LRT platform was also identified so as not to preclude conversion to LRT technology. Stormwater Management Concurrently with the preliminary and detail design of the above-noted Stage 2 works, which is presently underway, the City of Ottawa initiated the Pinecrest Creek/Westboro Stormwater Management Retrofit Study in consultation with the National Capital Commission (NCC) and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA). This study was initiated by the City to develop a stormwater management retrofit strategy for the Pinecrest Creek subwatershed in response to the need for a comprehensive approach to mitigate the impacts of runoff from both existing and future development. It includes an integrated geomorphological and hydrological assessment of potential downstream impacts of the proposed Southwest Transitway outlet to Pinecrest Creek with particular emphasis on the section north of the Queensway (Highway 417). It takes an integrated approach to managing potential cumulative stormwater runoff impacts on Pinecrest Creek from planned development including the Algonquin College EDC-CTBS Facility, the SW Transitway Extension, the City s Archives Building and the Centrepointe Town Centre Redevelopment. Transitway stormwater infrastructure will be installed as part of Stage 2, but will not become operational until such time as the full build out of the Southwest Transitway Extension is completed (in Stage 3). In recognition that Stage 2 would precede the completion of the above-mentioned subwatershed study, stormwater management criteria were developed and documented in the Pinecrest/Centrepointe Town Centre SWM Criteria Study (JF Sabourin and Associates Ltd., final draft, July 2009). The recommended SWM criteria are summarized in a Technical Memorandum (JFSA, June 25, 2009) which is provided in Appendix A and was used to guide the development of a functional drainage plan (See Figure 5). In order to meet these criteria, the functional drainage plan includes a new Southwest Transitway stormwater management system discharging to Pinecrest Creek. Runoff from the Transitway will not be discharged directly to Pinecrest Creek. The detail design of this system will include Best Management Practices for the control of stormwater quantity (such as an underground retention facility, a superpipe, etc ) and quality (such as Oil- Grit Separators, Stormwater interceptors, hydrocyclones, etc ) upstream of the proposed outlet at Pinecrest Creek. This detail design will also address effluent quality monitoring for a 3 year period following the construction and the Ecoplans Limited 10 August 2009
Environmental Assessment Minor Modification Report Southwest Transitway Extension Baseline Road to Norice Street connection of the stormwater management system to Pinecrest Creek, as well as erosion and sediment control measures. Detailed stormwater management design recommendations for the full build-out of the Southwest Transitway Extension (in Stage 3) have been deferred until the aforementioned Pinecrest Creek/Westboro Stormwater Management Retrofit Study, has been completed. This study will expand the approach taken for the SWM Criteria Study to the whole sub-watershed and identify a preferred strategy of retrofit measures to address the ongoing impacts of existing development as well as anticipated future development. Ultimately, Baseline Station will be drained to the Southwest Transitway storm sewer which, as mentioned above, will be designed in accordance with the appended stormwater management criteria and as further refined in the forthcoming subwatershed retrofit study. Runoff from Baseline Station will not be discharged directly to Pinecrest Creek. Stormwater from College Avenue and Navajo Drive will be drained to the Woodroffe Avenue trunk sewer. This connection will follow the municipal roadway stormsewer approval process. During all construction stages, runoff will be managed in accordance with all applicable regulations, including the City of Ottawa Sewer Use Bylaw (2203-14), City of Ottawa SSP F-1004- Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and Monitoring (both are included in Appendix B) and OPSS 577. The direct discharge of runoff from the construction site will not be permitted without appropriate quality and quantity controls. The Contractor will be required to obtain a sewer discharge permit should they need to pump "dirty water" during construction to combined or sanitary sewers. During detail design of Stage 3, all necessary permits and approvals for the design and construction of the new storm sewer system (including the new outlet to Pinecrest Creek will be sought. We understand that these may include but may not be limited to: an NCC Federal Land Use/Land Transaction/Design Approval; an NCC Land Access Permit; an MOE Certificate of Approval for Stormwater Management Works and; an RVCA Permit issued under Ontario Regulation 174/06 - Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation. Finally, the City of Ottawa is committed to implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the management and treatment of stormwater from the Southwest Transitway. During Stage 3, the details of these BMPs will be developed in consultation with the MOE and will be incorporated into the detail design and Certificate of Approval requirements. Ecoplans Limited 11 August 2009
Environmental Assessment Report Southwest Transitway Extension Baseline Road to Norice Street Design Element Approved 1997 SWTE IEA Current Proposal (2008) Changes to Effects Proposed Mitigation Significance of Modification Footprint The IEA located the The current proposal Additional property is Arnon Corporation will be Insignificant local platforms locates the local required to apprised of the parallel to the platforms perpendicular accommodate the modification. Transitway. to the Transitway. westerly shift. The property is owned by the City. The adjacent property is owned by Arnon Corporation. The footprint is N/A Benefit compatible with, and complements, the proposed development at Algonquin College. The IEA did not The current proposal Additional property is Arnon Corporation will be Insignificant contemplate an LRT identifies the need to required to apprised of the platform. construct a centre accommodate the modification. island LRT platform so westerly shift. The that a future conversion property is owned by is not precluded. This the City. The adjacent platform will not property is owned by become operational Arnon Corporation. until such time as EA The footprint is N/A Benefit approval for the compatible with, and conversion to LRT complements, the technology is obtained. proposed development at Algonquin College. This will also ensure minimal disruptions to the College in the future if conversion to LRT is required. Drainage The IEA approved All station runoff will be The proposed The stormwater Minor and design drained all directed into the Southwest Transitway management system Mitigable station runoff into the proposed Southwest storm sewer will be including appropriate Woodroffe Trunk Transitway storm designed in mitigation and/or stream Sewer, outletting into sewer pipe system with accordance with the rehabilitation measures will Pinecrest Creek. an outlet at Pinecrest appended stormwater be developed during Creek management criteria preliminary and detail Ecoplans Limited 19 June 2009
Environmental Assessment Report Southwest Transitway Extension Baseline Road to Norice Street Design Element Approved 1997 SWTE IEA Current Proposal (2008) Changes to Effects Proposed Mitigation Significance of Modification Drainage (cont.) and as further refined in the forthcoming subwatershed retrofit study. This storm sewer will require a new outlet into Pinecrest Creek downstream from the existing outlet. The Southwest Transitway stormwater management system will incorporate Best Management Practices for the control of stormwater quantity and quality (such as an underground retention facility, a superpipe, etc ) and quality (such as Oil-Grit Separators, Stormwater interceptors, hydrocyclones, etc ) upstream of the proposed outlet at Pinecrest Creek. The system design will also address effluent quality monitoring for a 3 year period following the construction and the connection of the stormwater management system design of stage 3 based on criteria detailed in the June 25, 2009 Technical Memorandum developed by J. F. Sabourin and Associates Ltd. for the City of Ottawa and as further refined in the City s Pinecrest Creek/Westboro Stormwater Management Retrofit Study (currently underway). Permits and approvals will be obtained including an MOE Certificate of Approval for Stormwater Management Works and an RVCA Permit issued under Ontario Regulation 174/06 - Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation. During all phases of construction, runoff will be managed in accordance with applicable regulations including the City of Ottawa Sewer Bylaw (2203-14), City of Ottawa Standard Special Provision F-1004- Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and Monitoring and OPSS 577. If required, the City will Ecoplans Limited 20 June 2009
Environmental Assessment Report Southwest Transitway Extension Baseline Road to Norice Street Design Element Approved 1997 SWTE IEA Current Proposal (2008) Changes to Effects Proposed Mitigation Significance of Modification Drainage (cont.) to Pinecrest Creek, as well as erosion and sediment control measures. Runoff from the station will not be discharged directly to Pinecrest Creek. The construction of a new storm sewer with an outlet at Pinecrest Creek may require the City to enter into an agreement with the NCC for the use of this land. enter into an agreement with the NCC for the use of the land including an NCC Federal Land Use/ Land Transaction/ Design Approval and an NCC Land Access Permit. This may require the preparation of a federal screening report under CEAA. TRANSITWAY Other Vertical Alignment No service kiosk/retail space was planned. The vertical alignment of the Transitway went from the existing elevation under Baseline Rd, was raised to grade at the station, passed under Tallwood in the south before returning to grade at the intersection of Woodroffe and Norice. The at grade station concourse building can accommodate potential service kiosk/retail space. The vertical alignment remains at the existing grade under Baseline Road, has been lowered through the station, passes under Talllwood and returns to grade at the intersection of Woodroffe and Norice. This will achieve a positive effect by improving service for passengers and is accommodated in the footprint noted above. No new effect other than the grade lowering through the station which is described above. Ecoplans Limited 21 June 2009 N/A N/A Benefit N/A
Environmental Assessment Report Southwest Transitway Extension Baseline Road to Norice Street Design Element Approved 1997 SWTE IEA Current Proposal (2008) Changes to Effects Proposed Mitigation Significance of Modification Horizontal Alignment Ramps connecting Transitway to the local road network The horizontal alignment ran under the existing structure at Baseline Road and ran approximately 100 m to the west of Woodroffe before reentering onto bus only lanes on Woodroffe at Norice. No ramps were proposed immediately south of Baseline Station. Stage 2 of the implementation plan identified a re-entry ramp to Woodroffe at Norice St. Drainage The IEA approved design drained all Transitway runoff into the Woodroffe Trunk Sewer, outletting into Pinecrest Creek. The horizontal alignment still runs under the existing structure at Baseline and follows the same basic route, other than the +/- 30 m westerly shift required to accommodate the station. A pair of one-way (on and off) ramps are proposed south of Baseline station. The current proposal also identifies a reentry ramp at Norice St. All Transitway runoff will be directed into the proposed Southwest Transitway storm sewer pipe system with an outlet at Pinecrest Creek. No new effect. The horizontal alignment is generally in the same location, except where it veers to the west at the station to accommodate the integrated station and the proposed EDC- CTBS building. Additional property is required to accommodate the westerly shift. The property is owned by the City. The adjacent property is owned by Arnon Corporation. The footprint is compatible with, and complements, the proposed development at Algonquin College. The proposed Southwest Transitway storm sewer will be designed in accordance with the appended stormwater management criteria and as further refined in the forthcoming subwatershed retrofit study. This storm sewer will require a new outlet into Pinecrest Creek Ecoplans Limited 22 June 2009 N/A Arnon Corporation will be apprised of the modification. N/A The stormwater management system including appropriate mitigation and/or stream rehabilitation measures will be developed during preliminary and detail design based on criteria detailed in the June 25, 2009 Technical Memorandum developed by J. F. Sabourin and Associates Ltd. for the City of Ottawa and as further refined in the City s N/A Insignificant Benefit Minor Mitigable and
Environmental Assessment Report Southwest Transitway Extension Baseline Road to Norice Street Design Element Approved 1997 SWTE IEA Current Proposal (2008) Changes to Effects Proposed Mitigation Significance of Modification Drainage (continued) downstream from the existing outlet. The Southwest Transitway stormwater management system will incorporate Best Management Practices for the control of stormwater quantity and quality (such as an underground retention facility, a superpipe, etc ) and quality (such as Oil-Grit Separators, Stormwater interceptors, hydrocyclones, etc ) upstream of the proposed outlet at Pinecrest Creek. The system design will also address effluent quality monitoring for a 3 year period following the construction and the connection of the stormwater management system to Pinecrest Creek, as well as erosion and sediment control measures. Runoff from the station will not be discharged directly to Pinecrest Creek. Pinecrest Creek/Westboro Stormwater Management Retrofit Study (currently underway). Permits and approvals will be obtained including an MOE Certificate of Approval for Stormwater Management Works and an RVCA Permit issued under Ontario Regulation 174/06 - Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation. During all phases of construction, runoff will be managed in accordance with applicable regulations including the City of Ottawa Sewer Bylaw (2203-14), City of Ottawa Standard Special Provision F-1004- Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and Monitoring and OPSS 577. If required, the City will enter into an agreement with the NCC for the use of the land including an NCC Federal LandUse/ Land Transaction/ Design Approval and an NCC Land Access Permit. This may require the Ecoplans Limited 23 June 2009
Environmental Assessment Report Southwest Transitway Extension Baseline Road to Norice Street Design Element Approved 1997 SWTE IEA Current Proposal (2008) Changes to Effects Proposed Mitigation Significance of Modification Drainage (Continued) The width of hard surfaced Transitway in the IEA was +/- 12 m. Quality control measures were deemed necessary in this location. Alternatives were evaluated (do nothing, ponds etc). Preferred alternative was not identified. The width of the hard surfaced Transitway under the current proposal is +/- 20 m. The additional 8 m is required so as not to preclude the inclusion of LRT tracks at some point in the future. Stormwater management measures and/ or stream rehabilitation measures will be incorporated as per the recommendations of the City s Pinecrest Creek/Westboro Stormwater Management Retrofit Study. The construction of a new storm sewer with an outlet at Pinecrest Creek may require the City to enter into an agreement with the NCC for the use of this land. The amount of impervious surface for the Transitway has increased under the current proposal. This is offset somewhat due to a reduction in imperviousness through the station (greening of the covered portion). As quantity and quality controls were contemplated in the IEA, no new SWM mitigation measures are required. None. No effects previously determined. preparation of a federal screening report under CEAA. Ecoplans Limited 24 June 2009 N/A SWM mitigation measures and/ or stream rehabilitation measures will be developed during preliminary and detail design based on criteria detailed in the June 25, 2009 Technical Memorandum developed by J. F. Sabourin and Associates Ltd. for the City of Ottawa and as further N/A Benefit Recommended SWM/stream rehabilitation measures will be developed on a subwatershed basis and will address cumulative impacts.
Environmental Assessment Report Southwest Transitway Extension Baseline Road to Norice Street Design Element Approved 1997 SWTE IEA Current Proposal (2008) Changes to Effects Proposed Mitigation Significance of Modification MISC. Drainage (Continued) Noise Vibration Pedestrian/ Cycling Connections and No noise sensitive receivers were identified within the project area. No mitigation measures were anticipated. Existing Accesses and facilities were to be maintained and improved. No noise sensitive receivers were identified within the project area. No mitigation measures were anticipated. Existing accesses and facilities will be maintained and improved. refined in the City s Pinecrest Creek/Westboro Stormwater Management Retrofit Study (Currently underway). Permits and approvals will be obtained including an MOE Certificate of Approval for Stormwater Management Works and an RVCA Permit issued under Ontario Regulation 174/06 - Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation. Mitigation measures for construction-related impacts will also be addressed at this time. None N/A N/A None N/A N/A Ecoplans Limited 25 June 2009