A motion that would have made the protection of a red pine forest on Hunt Club Road a condition for the Ottawa airport authority to receive millions of dollars in tax exemptions has failed the city council.
Wednesday, River ward Coun. Riley Brockington introduced a motion linking the approval of a proposed Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which aims to stimulate post-pandemic development and economic recovery at the airport through tax incentives, to the preservation of the forest of about four acres.
His motion, seconded by Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Diane Deans, would have allowed the CIP only once an agreement to protect the trees at 1000 Airport Parkway Private and 400 Hunt Club Rd. it was reached.
“We will conclude an agreement that will have significant economic benefits for the airport and its future tenants, in the tens of millions of dollars,” Brockington said.
“It’s fair to say … in return we’d like those 10 acres off the table.”
The inhabitants want to protect the trees
The forest is on land currently under the control of the Ottawa International Airport Authority, but is not part of the area covered by the CIP.
It’s a place locals have struggled to save in the past, fighting a BMW dealer’s plans to pave a section in order to expand their parking lot.
But City Hall staff rejected Brockington’s motion and Mayor Jim Watson said he would show bad faith.
“I think it’s very inappropriate to tie the two together,” Watson said. “I think it’s unfair of us now, at the last minute, to introduce something that would essentially kill the CIP.”
The Scots Pine Forest at 400 Hunt Club Rd. covers about four acres. (Google Maps)
Stephen Willis, the city’s chief planning officer, said staff support the salvation of the forest, but also believes the two issues should not be related, adding that they are working on both the CIP and a plan. to preserve the trees.
Staff were instructed by the council to study a possible land exchange with the airport. These discussions are ongoing.
Brockington’s motion failed 17-7, and Councilors Theresa Kavanagh, Catherine McKenney, Jeff Leiper, Rawlson King and Shawn Menard also voted in favor.
Willis said the airport has about 100 acres of land “underused for many years” because the property is owned by Transport Canada and cannot be sold.
Menard criticizes the tax cut
The CIP offers anyone willing to rent and rebuild this land an annual 75% property tax incentive, available for up to 25 years up to a maximum of $ 25 million. To qualify, any redevelopment must add at least $ 250,000 to the appraised value of the property.
The incentive is expected to eventually increase both city tax revenue and airport revenue, which can use the money to attract new routes and destinations.
The Council voted 20-4 in favor of the CIP despite criticism from some members, including Capital ward Coun. Shawn Menard.
“We are giving money to taxpayers at a time when our own income and our own finances are under pressure,” he said.
“We keep talking about affordability in this city, but then we do the exact opposite … for future tax exemptions for Porsche dealers or airports.”