Ottawa City Councillors approved a new city boundary expansion plan despite concerns among some that the move could just lead to more sprawl.
The new Urban and Village Boundary Expansion Official Plan Application Process was approved Oct. 8 by a special Joint Planning and Housing Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meeting, with some councillors saying the move could have major impacts on infrastructure, servicing and transportation.
The change would allow private landowners to request an expansion to the city or a village at any time, by using an Official Plan Amendment application
“My concern is that it’s so much easier to buy land and build on that [new land],” said Counc. Theresa Kavanagh. “We’ve been giving the approvals, but it’s going to create more sprawl.”
Kavanagh said many proposed developments in the core parts of the city have been approved but that there has been little progress on the actual construction. She said that continuing to grant approvals in less densely populated regions could lead to increased costs for the city.
“The densification is going to fall behind, because that’s where they’re going to choose to build,” said Kavanagh.
When a developer decides to build a building in a less dense area, it often leads to sprawling developments that can stretch city resources thin. For example, there may not be existing water lines or transit in that area.
Other councillors have also approved building permits in their wards but have observed little to no progress on those projects. River Ward Counc. Riley Brockington said that 24 permits have been approved for residential towers between Merivale and Clyde in the last two to nine years.
“Twenty-four towers and how many have been built? Three. Three towers out of 24,” Brockington said. “We’ve done everything that we’re supposed to do, and GOHBA [Greater Ottawa Home Builder’s Association] members have decided, for whatever reason, it’s not the time to build.”
While councillors are concerned about the lack of new infrastructure they have seen in places where permits are already in place. They are worried about the challenges arising from the city’s expansion. Although new developments often promise amenities like schools, these projects frequently fail to materialize.
Kanata North Counc. Cathy Curry pointed out that there is still no bus service to Arcadia. She also mentioned emergency services and the large area they already have to cover.
“We sit on Ottawa police services and listen to how big the city is, that police have to cover and now we’re talking about, let’s cover it some more,” she said. Ottawa is so large that the cities of Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver could all fit within its municipal boundary, highlighting the considerable challenges of managing such a vast area.
Council expressed worries more growth might lead to increased traffic congestion, loss of agricultural land, and strain on public services such as water and waste management.
Orléans West-Innes Counc. Laura Dudas echoed these concerns, emphasizing the costs associated with servicing both current and future communities.
“Growth can be a positive thing, but it is not when we cannot service the lands that are being proposed for expansion, it is not when it puts increased pressure on our existing communities,” Dudas said. “That the water mains and the sanitary sewers are having to be expanded but at our current taxpayer dollars and on their shoulders.”
While council has decided to support the City of Ottawa’s staff recommendations on the New Urban and Village Boundary Expansion Official Plan Application Process, they are continuing to look at what this proposal could mean for their ward.
“It’s more than just hectares of land,” Counc. George Dorouze said. “It’s about where to make the most sense to focus future growth.
An updated Provincial Planning Statement goes into effect on Oct. 20, 2024. That statement highlights priorities such as “building more housing where it’s needed,” “making land available for development,” and “creating opportunities for economic development and job creation.”
