Summary of the S1 Future Neighbourhood (Barrhaven South Urban Expansion Area Phase 3) Draft Reports

The Guiding Document: Draft Community Design Plan (CDP) The Community Design Plan (CDP) serves as the primary blueprint for developing the S1 Future Neighbourhood (Phase 3 of the Barrhaven South Urban Expansion Area). The core vision of the CDP is to plan for a livable, "15-minute neighborhood" where residents can easily access daily needs like parks, schools, the library, and commercial areas. To achieve this, the CDP outlines a comprehensive land-use plan that integrates low, medium, and higher density, ground-oriented housing alongside green spaces, transportation corridors, and commercial-industrial land uses.

To support the vision for Barrhaven South Urban Expansion Area the CDP is guided by four supporting technical studies:

1. Draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS) The EIS evaluates the natural environment on the S1 site to ensure local ecosystems are protected during and after development. It confirms the presence of important habitats such as significant woodlands. The study recommends the retention of the majority of these woodlands. It also outlines mitigation measures, such as installing protective fencing, restricting tree clearing during wildlife breeding seasons, and implementing tree planting plans to mitigate the partial loss of significant woodlands.

2. Draft Master Servicing Study (MSS) The MSS details how the new neighborhood will connect to the City of Ottawa’s existing water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. It confirms that the City's current systems have the capacity to support the new homes. A major focus of the MSS is stormwater management; it plans for a new stormwater pond and underground systems to safely handle rainfall runoff, prevent flooding, and protect local groundwater sources. A particular feature of Barrhaven South Urban Expansion Area is the implementation of a groundwater recharge program so that stormwater from local streets is infiltrated into the deeper regional aquifer.

3. Draft Transportation Study This study ensures that residents can move safely and efficiently within and beyond the neighborhood using all transportation modes. It plans for the extension of existing collector and local streets and emphasizes the design of "complete streets". The plan aims to keep vehicle speeds low as well as providing dedicated pathways for walking and cycling and other active transportation modes. The study supports public transit by integrating future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes on new Greenbank and a Park and Ride facility into the community plan.

4. Draft Community Energy Plan (CEP) The CEP focuses on identifying voluntary strategies that make the neighbourhood more sustainable, energy-efficient, and resilient to climate change. It outlines practical strategies to lower greenhouse gas emissions across the community. These strategies include encouraging the building of homes that exceed standard building code energy requirements, utilizing smart home technologies (like heat pumps), diverting construction waste, and planting of large-canopy native trees on the site’s well drained soils to cool the neighbourhood and reduce the urban heat island effect.

Review and Comment

Please email [suburb@ottawa.ca] to provide comments, or follow the “Send Feedback” button at the DevApps link below.

The draft supporting studies are available for public review and comment at the following link: [https://devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applications/D01-01-24-0002/details]

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Digitally accessible versions of the draft supporting studies may be requested by emailing [suburb@ottawa.ca] or by completing an online request form at the following link: [Accessible format or communication support request - Commitment, policies, plans and supports | City of Ottawa].

The City of Ottawa recognizes both official languages as having the same rights, status and privileges. French-language versions of the draft supporting studies may be requested by emailing [suburb@ottawa.ca].