[Ottawan]

NCC opens door to selling Greenbelt Parcels
Public consultations to precede any divestment
[OBJ - April 20, 2011]

The National Capital Commission is raising the prospect of selling or leasing out four plots of land that provide “limited contribution to (the) current Greenbelt.”

That possibility was one of three land-use scenarios presented to the Crown corporation’s board of directors earlier this month as part of the NCC’s review of its primary planning document for the Greenbelt.

A spokesperson refused to specify the size of the parcels, which are presently off-limit for development, or to name their exact location, but did provide a map that plots the four land areas, all of which are near the northern edges of the Greenbelt. They are located:

1. Immediately west of the southbound Highway 416 on-ramp, at Richmond Road;

2. South of West Hunt Club Road and west of Woodroffe Avenue;

3. South of Hunt Club Road, east of Conroy Road;

4. North of Walkley Road, west of Highway 417.

The potential sale of these lands is likely to grab the attention of the city’s developers.

With a well-documented shortage of industrial land suitable for development, some industry representatives say the NCC should release some of its land in the vicinity of established business parks.

A 2009 report by Metropolitan Knowledge International, commissioned by the city, recommended the municipality make the NCC aware of the “strong market appeal of certain lands” for employment-related development.

If any land is sold or leased, the NCC says the proceeds would go towards acquiring additional land for the Greenbelt. Several areas, predominantly to the south of the existing Greenbelt boundaries, are identified as future growth areas.

The NCC expects to launch a round of consultations in May or June. The concept plans will then be presented to the NCC advisory committee on planning, design and realty, as well as the NCC board, in the fall.

An updated master plan for the Greenbelt is expected to be adopted by fall 2012

Looks like some development might happen... I'd rather it be high density office/residential built around transit nodes (especially feasible for both Hunt Club portions) than for it to be industrial. Sure Ottawa needs industrial parks, but let's have them in less prime locations please.