MEMO / NOTE DE SERVICE

To / Destinataire
From / Expditeur

Mayor and Members of Council

File: T01-99-15-CSIF
Michael Mizzi
Acting General Manager
Planning and Growth Management
Department
Subject / Objet
Complete Streets Implementation Framework Date: October 13, 2015
Follow-up
At Transportation Committee on October 7, 2015, the framework on how to implement the
Council-approved Complete Streets Policy was presented for committees consideration. The
Complete Streets Implementation Framework Report (ACS2015-PAI-PGM-0159) was
unanimously approved by Committee. At the meeting, staff were given direction by Transportation
Chair Egli to provide Committee and Council with additional information. Specifically, the purpose
of this memorandum is to expand on the staff responses pertaining to how quickly elements of a
complete street can be implemented, and how landscaping is considered as part of the road
design.
The framework proposes using every transportation-related project as a catalyst for implementing
complete streets. Although a total road rehabilitation project provides the most flexibility to make
changes, there are many smaller projects that can have positive impacts. For example, road line
painting may include implementing a high-visibility cross walk or paved shoulders may be added
during road re-surfacing. For areas where rehabilitation road projects are not being undertaken in
the short term, there are a number of annual operational programs that are capable of
implementing complete street elements, including:

Annual budgets through councillors offices for temporary traffic calming measures to
address existing issues (Public Works staff are available to discuss options regarding this
program);
Area Traffic Management (ATM) program to address the most serious community traffic
issues;
Intersection Modification Program for the most serious intersection Level of Service issues;
Traffic Safety Program to address the most serious safety issues;
Cycling Plan and Pedestrian Plan projects; and
Roadway modifications included in development review processes.

While the framework report describes a process, the actual guiding documents for roadway
design, including landscaping elements, are found in a multitude of City of Ottawa documents.
The full listing of these guidelines is in Document 1 of the staff report and includes:

Sidewalk Technical Design Guidelines

Cross-section Guidelines for New Residential Roads
Transitway and Station Design Guidelines
Right-of-Way Lighting Policy
Road Corridor Planning and Design Guidelines
Urban Design Guidelines for Development along Arterial Mainstreets

Urban Design Guidelines for Development along Traditional Mainstreets

Urban Design Guidelines for Greenfield Neighbourhoods
Street Tree Manual for Greenfield Neighbourhoods
Greening Guidelines for Regional Roads in Urban Area
Street Design Policy Special Streets
Building Better and Smarter Suburbs
Accessibility Design Standards

As outlined on Page 5 of the Complete Streets Implementation Framework Report, staff have
identified the greening of streets as an important element for the pedestrian realm. The report
states:
While it is beyond the scope of Multi-Modal Level of Service (MMLOS) Guidelines to
address all of these elements, appropriate City of Ottawa planning and design documents
should be referenced in the design of the boulevard and pedestrian way. This may include
specific consideration of street trees and other vegetation / bio-swale options to create
Green Street Designs as per the Urban Tree Strategy, or various Road Corridor Planning &
Design Guidelines. Street trees and other elements can have a positive effect on the
pedestrian environment and other users of the corridor.
While this paragraph says may include specific consideration of street trees... staff are
confirming through this memo that the language will be changed to will include specific
consideration of street trees....
As indicated by staff at the Transportation Committee meeting, there are a number of issues to
address when determining if trees and other greenery can be incorporated into a road design,
including costs, site lines, location of utilities, weather, as well as accessibility of the road, cycling
lane or sidewalk.
Where the right-of-way permits and project budget allows, efforts are made to incorporate
greening elements in the roadway project. The greatest opportunities to include landscaping are
during the design of a new road or through a widening. A road retrofit may not present the same
opportunities, since space is often limited. As each project will be reviewed through the complete
streets lens, landscaping will be considered as part of the roadway design review.

Michael Mizzi
Acting General Manager
Planning and Growth Management Department
Cc:

John Moser, Acting Deputy City Manager, Planning and Infrastructure

Vivi Chi, Manager Transportation Planning, Planning and Growth Management