Urban Lanes Policies and Standards April 2013 SUMMARY Background - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Urban Lanes Policies and Standards April 2013

SUMMARY  Background  What the policy covers  How it will work  Consultation Page 2

Background Page 3

Background Page 4

Background Page 5

West Wellington Page 6

West Wellington Page 7

Old Ottawa East Page 8

Old Ottawa East 9

Sandy Hill Page 10

Sandy Hill 11

Meanwhile… Page 12

Status of lanes  Under Surveys Act , “deemed public highway”  Title is with City for lanes on Plan of Subdivision  No “adverse possession” under Limitations Act Page 13

Bring order to scattered and Housekeeping missing policies Bringing under one consolidated policy:  Lane classification  Standards and cross-sections  Framework to guide Retention or Divestment  Clearer encroachment policies  Provisions for widenings where sub-standard Page 14

Lane classification  Carried over from old City of Ottawa  7 types of lanes (based on use)  2 classifications (based on maintenance)  City may classify and reclassify  Database to be maintained  lanes@ottawa.ca / ruelles@ottawa.ca Page 15

Standards and Cross-sections Residential lanes Commercial / Mixed-use lanes Widening provisions to be added in OP to achieve these standards along existing lanes when abutting lands redevelop. Page 16

Standards and Cross-sections Snow storage space 4 m 2 Lane / Ruelle Every 15 m minimum Snow 4 m 2 storage space Page 17

Retention All Type 1-2-3-4 lanes are considered significant municipal assets and shall not be closed, except in the context of a redevelopment that affects 75% or more of the lands on both sides, IF: • No other scenario acceptable to City; Protect for future • Not part of continuous network, or doesn’t interrupt continuity or shorten by 25% or more; • All other owners with access concur. Page 18

Divestment - Type 1-2-3-4 lanes, per Retention policy - Type 5 lanes only if: - deemed incapable of fulfilling any of the functions of Type 1-2-3-4 lanes in the future - Utilities relocated at applicant’s expense, or if relocation unrealistic, easement granted to City and Utilities Page 19

Divestment - Type 6-7 lanes: - Not part of continuous network, or doesn’t interrupt continuity or shorten by 25% or more; - City determines no future need - Entire lane has to be closed “All or nothing” - Entire lane has to be purchased by abutting owners - Utilities relocated at applicant’s expense, or if relocation unrealistic, easement granted to City and Utilities Page 20

Divestment  Applications to close portions of lanes of any type that have been left land-locked by previous closures, and “Where it • City determines no prospect of re-establishing makes no continuous lane to regain access to land-locked sense, get rid of portion; it” • Easements granted as may be required; shall be approved. Page 21

Encroachments Addressed under Encroachment By-law (2003-446) “Don’t block people’s access”  Not tolerated on Type 1-2-3-4 lanes  Where Type 5-6-7 lanes are encroached upon and no immediate plan to use them for access: • no proactive enforcement “No policing, • encroachment fee if discovered but user-pay • owner must describe on reference plan if discovered” • no new encroachments permitted Page 22

Encroachment removals  City may require removal of encroachments per By-law when lane access is required in zoning or deemed the right urban design approach.  Encroachment removals are at the expense of their owners. Page 23

Encroachment removals When access is re-established: • Abutting owners will be notified • City not obliged to winter-maintain • Owner(s) may be required to: • Enter into M&L agreement • Survey • Remove vegetation • Pave or gravel, with City design approval Page 24

Title Searches When searches addressed to City (incl. by Title Insurance firms) for properties where encroachments on lanes may have taken place, standard mention: “The City has identified a public lane associated with this property.” Page 25

CONSULTATION  When a lane closure application is filed  When the City builds or rebuilds a lane, it consults on how the lane will look  Zoning may require parking to be from a lane – the consultation takes place at the Zoning By- law stage Page 26