Allowing food cultivation along Ottawa's roadways could become a reality, pending council's approval.
In the heart of Ottawa, citizens might soon enjoy the freedom to cultivate their own food on city-owned land along roads. A motion proposed by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee is under consideration, and if adopted by the full council, it would enable residents to set up fixed planters a mere half meter from the sidewalk and 1.5 meters away from the road on streets without sidewalks. Seasonal non-permanent containers like flowerpots can also be placed half a meter from the road or sidewalk between April 1 and November 15. No permit is required for local streets with a speed limit of 40 km/h or less [1].
College Coun. Laine Johnson's amendment was also adopted, allowing residents to replace grass with low-lying plants [2]. This follows an earlier city amendment in 2023 that expanded planting on boulevards. Yet, that amendment didn't cater to food cultivation [1]. City staff have been exploring ways to expand gardening on boulevards due to resident and community group demands, with their report recommending this change [1].
Kate Vienot from the community farming organization, Just Food, expressed excitement, stating, "These updates demonstrate that the city is committed to prioritizing solutions that boost our local food system. We're almost there." However, Vienot and other advocates argue that the motion doesn't go far enough [1].
Erica Snardlow, from Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) Ottawa, proposes adjustments to the amendment. She seeks more lenient restrictions on plant height, the inclusion of resident-planted trees, alternatives to turf, and restrictions on herbicides [1]. City staff find a one-meter height restriction on plants necessary to ensure driver sightlines. Snardlow expressed concern, saying, "This restriction excludes several key food varieties like tomatoes and peas." [1]
CAFES and other groups advocate for tree planting on boulevards without a permit, which Snardlow believes would save the city money [1]. However, the "Trees in Trust" system necessitates a site inspection for residents seeking city-planted trees to guarantee they won't harm utilities [1].
If 1,000 residents planted a tree on the boulevard and half of them survived more than 10 years, this alone could result in $5.62 million in cost savings for the city [1]. City staff are working on eliminating the need for tree replacements requests but remain wary of potential damage to underground utilities [1].
Multiple community groups are worried about the use of pesticides and herbicides, fearing they could harm wildlife and residents [1]. City staff believe the pesticides and herbicides question lies beyond the bylaw's scope, necessitating a larger study by city staff if the council wishes to explore this issue further [1].
Coun. Laine Johnson sees this as a progressive move, admitting that it's slow-paced but acknowledging the transition from a formerly restrictive bylaw to increasingly permissive regulations [1].
[1] City staff report recommending the changes[2] Amendment adopted allowing low-lying plants instead of grass[3] City encourages gardening and green initiatives[4] Communities advocate for lenient plant height restrictions, resident-planted trees, alternatives to turf, and restrictions on herbicides[5] City staff work on measures to allow tree replacements without a request, but express concerns about potential damage to underground utilities[6] City staff explore pesticides and herbicides use outside the bylaw's scope, necessitating a larger study if the council wishes to look into it further.
- The proposed motion, currently under consideration by the Ottawa council, aims to allow residents to cultivate their foods on city-owned land along roads.
- The amendment proposed by Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, if adopted, would enable residents to set up planters just half a meter from the sidewalk and 1.5 meters away from the road on streets without sidewalks.
- The amendment, also adopted, by College Coun. Laine Johnson allows residents to replace grass with low-lying plants.
- City staff have been investigating ways to expand gardening on boulevards due to high demands from residents and community groups.
- Kate Vienot from Just Food expressed excitement, stating that these updates demonstrate the city's commitment to prioritizing solutions that boost the local food system.
- However, Vienot and other advocates argue that the motion doesn't go far enough and propose adjustments like more lenient plant height restrictions, inclusion of resident-planted trees, alternatives to turf, and restrictions on herbicides.
- City staff find a one-meter height restriction on plants necessary to ensure driver sightlines, but Erica Snardlow from CAFES expressed concern about this restriction excluding several key food varieties.
- CAFES and other groups advocate for tree planting on boulevards without a permit, believing it could save the city money, and they propose adjustments to the amendment.
- City staff are working on eliminating the need for tree replacements requests, but they remain wary of potential damage to underground utilities and believe the pesticides and herbicides question lies beyond the bylaw's scope, necessitating a larger study by city staff if the council wishes to explore this issue further.
