Rio-Can Tanger Phase 2 Development, Kanata West, City of Ottawa Tree Conservation Report Update

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1 November 26, 2014 Mr. Paul Black MCIP RPP Planner FoTenn Planning & Urban Design 223 McLeod Street Ottawa, ON K2P 0Z8 Dear Mr. Black: RE: Rio-Can Tanger Phase 2 Development, Kanata West, City of Ottawa Tree Conservation Report Update This Tree Conservation Report update is for Phase 2 of the Rio-Can Tanger Phase 2 Development in Kanata West south of Feedmill Creek, north of the Highway 417 corridor and west of Huntmar Drive. The Phase 2 lands were included in the combined Environmental Impact Statement and Tree Conservation Report for the Palladium Drive Mixed Use Development (revised January, 2013). The purpose of this Tree Conservation Report update is to refine which vegetation will be retained and protected on the site following the 2013 report based on the current site plan and to provide tree protection and other mitigation measures. The owner of the site is RioCan Management Inc. ( ). The municipal address is 333 Huntmar Drive. Six restaurants and a six floor hotel with 134 units are proposed for the 3.2 hectare Phase 2 lands south of Feedmill Creek (see the Site Plan provided at the end of this update). The Phase 2 lands will be accessed via an entrance off Huntmar Drive and a recently constructed road crossing of Feedmill Creek from the Tanger Outlet Mall north of the creek. Five-hundred and fourteen surface parking spaces will be provided. The development will be on full municipal services. Removal of the trees not identified for retention is proposed for early 2015 before the breeding bird season begins on April 15 th. Tree Retention Areas of proposed tree retention are identified in green on Map 2. Trees retained along the Feedmill Creek corridor include white pine and many white cedar (Photo 1) and several crabapples. An archaeological site in the northwest port of the Phase 2 lands will be retained along with intermediate-aged and mature Manitoba maple. A 44cm diameter at breast height 491 Buchanan Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1J 7V2 Tel (613) , Fax (613)

2 (dbh) bur oak and Manitoba maple to the south and southeast of the preserved area will need to be removed for restaurant and hotel construction and associated grading requirements (Photo 4). The road and associated sidewalk leading to the northwest restaurant was modified slightly to avoid the dripline of one of the trees to be protected. As part of Phase 1 of the Rio-Can Tanger Development a road and associated sidewalk and services were constructed over Feedmill Creek and extensive plantings were placed along the creek corridor (Photos 1 and 2). An asphalt multi-use pathway will be completed along the south side of the corridor east of the road crossing (Map 2). Photo 1 Retained pine, cedars and deciduous trees in Feedmill Creek corridor along with recent plantings. View looking west from new road bridge over Feedmill MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 2

3 Photo 2 Recent plantings and retained trees in Feedmill Creek corridor. View looking east from new road bridge over Feedmill Photo 3 Protective fencing around Manitoba maple in the northwest portion of the Phase 2 lands. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 3

4 Photo 4 Bur oak and Manitoba maple to be removed in the south-central portion of the Phase 2 lands. View looking south Tree Protection Measures The trees and belts of trees to be retained and their associated critical root zone are to be protected by placing sturdy temporary fencing, at least 1.2 metres in height, at a distance of ten times the tree diameter from the outer tree trunk to be protected. Much of this fencing is already in place from the Phase 1 work (Photo 3), with repairs required in some locations. No grading or activities that may cause soil compaction such as heavy machinery traffic and stockpiling of material are permitted within the fencing. No machinery maintenance or refuelling, storage of construction materials or stockpiling of earth is to occur within five metres of the outer edge of the dripline of the trees to be retained and protected. The existing grade is not to be raised or lowered within the fencing and no digging is permitted within the fencing. The root system, trunk or branches of the trees to be retained must not be damaged. Exhaust fumes from all equipment during future construction will not be directed towards the canopy of the retained trees. If any roots of trees to be retained are exposed during site alterations, the roots shall be immediately reburied with soil or covered with filter cloth or woodchips and kept moist until the roots can be buried permanently. Signs, notices or posters cannot be attached to any trees to be retained. As part of the landscape plan the developers are encouraged to plant a mix of native species such as sugar maple, red maple, tamarack, white spruce, white cedar, red oak, bur oak, bitternut hickory and basswood. Due to the clay soils tree and shrub species that have a high water demand are generally not recommended. These species include willows, poplars and elm. MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 4

5 To protect breeding birds, no tree or shrub removal is to occur between April 15 th and August 15 th, unless a nesting survey conducted within five days of the woody vegetation removal identifies no breeding activity. It is very important that all temporary protective tree and silt fencing be carefully removed following construction and stabilization of the site. Schedule of Proposed Works It is proposed to construct in 2015, with removal of trees and shrubs not to be retained before the breeding bird season begins on April 15 th. City staff (forestry-planning) are to be contacted at least two business days before site activity to have the opportunity to assess the implementation of the tree protection measures. Conclusion All the community/landform types and flora and fauna species observed on and adjacent to the Phase 2 lands are considered common on a local and regional basis. No Species at Risk, species of special concern or other rare species, significant woodlands, rare communities, significant wetlands or steep slopes were observed. Based on the habitat requirements and field observations no Species at Risk are anticipated on the Phase 2 lands. An environmental corridor has been established along Feedmill Creek, implementing an important recommendation of the existing studies. The corridor width to be retained meets and in many areas exceeds the recommendations of the subwatershed and restoration studies. The environmental corridor has protected the significant valleylands and associated trees. The location of the Feedmill Creek road and servicing crossing minimized tree removal. In addition to the Feedmill Creek corridor, woody vegetation will be retained to the south among an archaeological area. This will provide local wildlife habitat and the many environmental and aesthetic benefits that trees provide. Extensive trees and shrubs have been planted along the Feedmill Creek corridor, with additional trees to be planted in association with the new development. Please call if you have any questions on this Tree Conservation Report Update. Yours Sincerely, MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. Bernie Muncaster, M.Sc. Principal \pbtangerph2tcrupdate MUNCASTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INC. 5

6 FIGURE 1 SITE PLAN

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