"The intent of intensification never contemplated using publicly owned lands...

...and particularly lands adjacent to the River." "Mr. E. found it disturbing that waterfront land along the Rideau River, next to a natural historic canal site would be lost for perpetuity. He felt that Ottawa was fortunate to have a lot of land in Federal ownership (as a result of the Greber Plan from the 1950's.)" (Google: "Report to/Rapport au:-City of Ottawa - Moffat Farm.")

A few years ago the City of Ottawa rezoned 12 acres of Experimental Farm land to "mixed-use" to facilitate the construction of 3 high rise buildings facing Carling Avenue. Residential towers are not permitted on a National Historic Site and a National Interest Land Mass. And Parks Canada will not permit views of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site to be obstructed, nor the encroachment of buffer zones. Find another location for your world-class hospital.

Modify zoning from Waterfront Open Space to General Urban Area.

The Waterfront Open Spaces were Federal properties that protected parkland and Rideau River and Rideau Canal buffer zones. When the Ottawa Hospital is built on the Experimental Farm, Maple Drive and Prince of Wales Drive will be widened, and access by the public restricted. 

Comments about a real estate project on 1709 Prince of Wales Drive. 2002.

1.)  The NCC is not fulfilling its mandate to protect open space in the national capital area, nor upholding its obligations to the Canadian public, and especially the Carleton Heights community, by pursuing development of Moffat Farm. The NCC did not categorize the land based on NOSS. Access to water attracts visitors to the capital.

 The NCC should meet with and listen to the concerns of the local residents. Why must more land from Moffat farm be developed than is necessary for the Montfort Woods land exchange; the NCC should not set up a conflict between the two neighbourhoods. The area is needed for future generations. The development should be put out beyond the built up areas of the city. Under the proposed land deal the NCC gives Phoenix Homes 86 acres at Moffat Farm and gets back 16 acres at Montfort woods back in return, which is a bad deal for the NCC, especially since Moffat Farm is a better location. Why was only one developer given this "plum"? The land should be returned to the veterans.

2.)  The Moffat Farm open space should be protected because it enhances the neighbourhood and is a natural extension of the Mooney's Bay green space. Any development here will destroy the sensitive natural environment that includes not only just the plants and animals of the woods, ravines and Rideau River banks,but also the meadow, which is the only grassland environment in the city.

Residents of the new development will monopolize the remaining green space. This area has evolved naturally and is the last natural green space available along Prince of Wales Drive and within the urban area. The city's "Environmental Services" says this is the only area in the city to collect insects to monitor environmental change. Some of the plants on the property are of "local significance".

Consideration should be given to the bio-diversity study of the Rideau River being done by the Canadian Museum of Nature and others. The area should be designated as a wildlife habitat; the ecological diversity of the area should be preserved. The green space provides a source of relief from the stress of urban life and helps off-set pollution. Diminished quality of the environment drives up the cost of soft surfaces for people to compensate for the loss.

Won't a higher future population mean that more green space will be needed? Ottawa's reputation as a beautiful green city must be maintained. Less green space will lower the quality of life in Ottawa and make it less attractive to businesses. If the area is developed pesticides and fertilizers will pollute the river...Pressure to stabilize the shoreline will destroy bio-diversity. If the development goes ahead improved river access will destroy the important and sensitive small wet-land and marsh area along the river, which must be protected.

Runoff from asphalt streets is not as clean as from the existing natural area. Some wildlife will not visit a park---only a natural area. Moffatt Farm is the only grassland environment in the city and should be allowed to mature as it is. The NCC should do an environmental assessment of the area. This green space is important to people from beyond the local neighbourhood. It makes no sense to be actively seeking to increase the inventory of public waterfront lands outside the Greenbelt while allowing development to remove such lands inside the Greenbelt.

3.)  The development will generate more traffic and construction which will cause pollution and have a bad impact on Mooney's Bay and the water quality and attractiveness of the Rideau River.

4.)  The property should be used as a veterans memorial garden or park. The windmill could be put there. There should be more respect for an area of homes of war veterans.

Similarities between the Moffat Farm and the Central Experimental Farm:

a.)  Both of the properties were part of Jacques Greber's memorial in perpetuity to Canadian soldiers.

b.)  Thousands of animals have lost or will lose their habitat.

c.)  The Ottawa Hospital Corporation ignored a massive National Capital Commission report that recommended another location for a medical centre. Regarding Moffat Farm "The NCC should meet with and listen to the concerns of local residents." 

d.)  Concerns were raised about ecological damage to the Rideau River created by a subdivision. Many people are worried about buildings blocking the view of the Rideau Canal; the future of Winterlude and the Tulip Festival and the threat of pollution on the waterway.

e.)  The Carling Avenue farm will be inundated by noise pollution from years of construction, helicopters, ambulances, mass transit and thousands of people per day accessing the mega-hospital. The Moffat Farm was a popular location for hikers, people walking their dogs and the Boy Scouts.