Planning

Going places in the Lincoln Fields area

City Planning is starting to pay more attention to the Lincoln Fields area. Work is finally beginning on a Secondary Plan to guide future development. The first meeting with stakeholders focused on transportation issues, because that links to the draft Transportation Master Plan, also in process now.

City planners shared recommendations for improving connectivity. These came from a consultant study. They focused on how residents might get to the new Lincoln Fields Transit station and desired destinations in and around a redeveloped mall. Many of the proposals would make it easier to walk or use a bike to go places. They include changes in the access from Carling to the Parkway, more pedestrian paths, bike lanes, and safer pedestrian crossings of Carling Avenue.

None of these proposals are currently in the Transportation Master Plan and there is no funding for them. QTNca representatives are advocating for early attention to the Connaught-Carling intersection, to link improvements to the upcoming new sidewalks on Connaught. More places to cross Carling safely is another focus of our advocacy, along with early funding so improvements can be in place at the same time the new LRT station opens.

You can review the proposal on our website (PDF) or you can find it by scrolling through the Engage Ottawa page on the Lincoln Fields Secondary Plan. If you have feedback or suggestions, let us know through a message to qtncommunity@gmail.com. A public meeting on proposals for the Lincoln Fields Secondary Plan will be held later this year.

Connaught Park: Survey feedback on Noise Wall and Landscape Plan

Thank you to all our neighbours who provided feedback on the noise mitigation and landscape plan through our survey (now closed) and/or by sending feedback directly to qtncommunity@gmail.com.

Two thirds of respondents supported a stone-like noise barrier wall (Figure 1, Option C) that is covered in vines (Figure 2). We also received many great suggestions on tree varieties such as ensuring an adequate number of evergreens, providing a mix of species, and groupings of various fruit trees. Your feedback will be brought forward to the City and the Stage 2 LRT team.

Additionally, we continue to pursue other questions about the noise study, especially for areas close to the fly-over, the curve going to Baseline, and the area between Carling and the fly-over. We will report back again after the next meeting of the Public Advisory Committee. There will also be a full public meeting before the noise mitigation and landscape plans are finally approved.

Figure 1 – 65% opted for a stone-textured wall

 

Figure 2 – 67% want as many vines as possible

Connaught Park: Noise Mitigation and Landscape Plan for LRT

A noise study for LRT Phase II confirmed the need for noise mitigation through Connaught Park. It also found that the proposed berms would not be effective. It proposes a combination of three measures for the portion of the track from the fly-over to the tunnel: absorptive wall panels, a noise barrier wall, and rail dampers.

QTN members of the Public Advisory Panel continue to raise concerns about the adequacy of the noise study, particularly the lack of attention to the curve that goes to Baseline and the fly-over. We also continue to advocate for more sight mitigation in the landscape plan and increased attention to make it an attractive green space for the future.

If you want more information, copies of the noise study and related documents have been posted in the LRT section of QTNca’s Planning page.

In the meantime, choices are being made about the design of the noise wall and the plan for vines and tree-planting to make the wall more compatible with a park setting. The choice of materials for the noise wall will make a difference in how that space feels in the future. Quick-growing vines on the wall and planting trees for the longer term can help to maintain a park context. The landscape plan includes the use of small berms and a mix of types of trees to recreate a green space that is attractive and sustainable. Some residents want to have fruit trees included in the mix of trees planted, along with evergreens and deciduous trees. You can make your views known by completing a short survey (now closed) or send your views to the PAC group and OC Transpo via an e-mail to qtncommunity@gmail.com.