Committee approval of the master site plan for the new Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital hinges on protecting trees, working with neighbouring communities on parking, and federal legislation limiting future development of the Central Experimental Farm. 

The planning committee voted 6-2 in favour of the site plan Monday after a full day of public delegation Friday, which discussed issues around green space and parking on the site.

Committee members Shawn Menard and Jeff Leiper, whose wards include communities near the site, were the only two councillors to vote against.

Menard reiterated his frustration with the lack of democratic input in how the site was chosen, as well as the placement of important facilities away from the nearby LRT station and the intersection of Carling Avenue and Preston Street.

Call to protect the farm

Coun. Riley Brockington, whose ward encompasses the majority of the proposed new campus, voted in favour. At the same time, he says the process has shown the Central Experimental Farm is vulnerable to the whims of whatever federal government is in power.

“There’s nothing that keeps or maintains the farm on the site … in the heart of Ottawa. That’s troubling to me and that’s troubling to the people of Ottawa,” Brockington told committee.

“We need legislation.”

Committee passed a motion put forward by Brockington asking the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Canada and the National Capital Commission to protect the farm.

Steve Willis, the city’s general manager of planning and economic development, said the local government’s position aligns with a proposal for legal protection for the farm by Ottawa Centre MP-elect Yasir Naqvi.

Keep reading on CBC News