The Land Use Committee monitors any proposals for change in allowed land use or site plan proposals that might affect the well being of the residents of Riverside Park. Precisely what is done about any given issue may range from registering a "no objection" to ensuring that an appropriate consultation with interested parties take place.

This is a record of the MFCC meeting of July 30, 2003

The results of the Secondary Planning Study recommended two options: Option #1 proposed development of all but 6 acres of the tablelands; Option #2 proposed three lesser areas for development depending on how much of the remaining tableland would be purchased by the City of Ottawa, at developed land prices. The City made it clear, in discussions with our Executive, that there is little funding available for such a purchase. Even an OMB decision with less development and larger parkland identified would not help us - as in the current fiscal environment, the City is not prepared/able to buy the parkland at development prices. We were advised by counsel that the Secondary Planning Study, itself, was not likely to be overturned if attacked. The issue for the OMB became how much land would be developed.

A few days after the release of the Study, the MFCC Exec was contacted by the other two parties to the OMB process (NCC/DCR and the City of Ottawa) and notified that a proposal was being put forward. The proposal that was presented to us was essentially Option #1 with a 10 acre park - resulting in 35 acres of development on the table lands. The proposal included the purchase of the additional 4 acres of parkland by the City of Ottawa (jointly funded by the NCC, the Developer and the City). The end result would be that the development on the Moffatt Farm would be reduced from 55 to 35 acres. The approximately 30 acres preserved as ESA along the waterfront was never in threat of being developed. The intent is that the City of Ottawa will be seeded all undeveloped lands which will be placed under the parkland policy of the City. No other proposal was made to MFCC and the other parties were strong in their support of the "offer".

After much deliberation and with heavy hearts, the MFCC Executive recommended this proposal to the membership the meeting. President John Batson and other members of the Executive spoke about the evolution of events since the release of the secondary planning study findings. A lengthy discussion ensued. While the vote was not unanimous - the membership did approve the proposal by a large majority (over 3 to 1).

Our lawyer has been instructed to work with the other parties to draft a formal detailed agreement prior to the OMB hearing on August 18th. In the interim, until the details are finalized, we have insisted that all activity by any party on or related to any aspect of the Moffatt Farm be suspended. We are still actively involved and as a part of the proposal have have been promised a continuing role in the planning and implementation of the parks/landscaping on the protected lands and the developed lands.