Letter to the City of Ottawa - Save the Dominion Observatory.

Excerpts from the September 27, 2021 letter. 

Hospital Building Heights/Design Features and Sightlines - The current zoning of the past Sir John Carling site allows up to 30 stories of height. We strongly advise that a limitation be placed on the height of the new hospital buildings to protect astronomy viewing from the Dominion Observatory federal heritage campus. This is where most astronomy viewing from the Dominion Observatory can occur. The objective should be to ensure building heights do not block the plane of the ecliptic at any time of the year, in other words the planets and the moon should be clearly visible from the DO.

Atmospheric Air Turbulence and Astronomy Viewing - It is strongly preferred that grass or other natural surfaces are maintained on all the hospital site adjacent to the Dominion Observatory, in order to avoid or minimize air turbulance and thermal gradients. Heat rising off of asphalt paving, cement surfaces or HVAC out-take vents can significantly blur any public astronomy viewing.

Lighting Specifics - We continue to request more specifics from the architect so that lighting is clearly planned and specified in advance, and not left as a last step at the end of construction.

Surface Parking - In our past correspondence we asked to have parking spaces reserved for observatory visitors and users for future requirements. The DOPC can and should be included in this process.

Construction Vibration and Seismic Surveys - In the latest revised Master Plan for the Ottawa Hospital we are pleased to see that there is an intention to monitor construction vibrations, so that they do not cause damage to nearby historically protected buildings, including those on the observatory campus. However, we did not find further mention in the report on monitoring of elements that are underground, such as the telescopic pier within the main observatory building no. 1, and that of the seismology building no. 7 underground vaults. What plan is in place for monitoring these concerns? Will a sensor/seismic reader be placed for example on the telescope pier so that movement can be noticed as soon as possible, with action required to adjust methods during construction to minimize further damage?

Maple Lane and the Observatory's Azimuth - DOPC is pleased to see that there is a plan mentioned for monitoring road salt and its effects to the Azimuth building no. 9 that can cause damage and erosion. We would like to ask again that in addition to the bollards to be installed around the Azimuth Building, whether Maple Lane could be shifted 1 to 2 meters away from this building to give more of a buffer zone.

Impact on Horizon - If buffer zones are to be created to encourage natural surfaces and more tree-scapes, can we ask that DOPC and RASC be included in the process?

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If Bill S-203 had been passed by the Senate of Canada, the Civic Hospital would not have free reign to build medical towers and condominiums on the Farm and the Dominion Observatory would be protected by buffer zones.