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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · 12h

Thanks Ariel. If you're interested, you can read my thoughts on the plan here: jordobicycles.substack.com/p/gladstone-...

(I'm happy to learn you're considering extending two-way cycling on Percy to Gilmour—one day I hope Percy is two-way for cyclists to Laurier.)

Gladstone-Gilmour bikeway will boost cycling in Centretown...

...But bike lanes all the way down Gladstone are still needed

jordobicycles.substack.com

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · 1d

My newest newsletter post over at Ottawa 3 Speed: A review of the proposed bike lanes on Gladstone Avenue and Gilmour Street.

Westbound contra-flow lane on Gilmour! Protected intersection at Rochester! Weird, convoluted crossing of Bronson! #ottbike

jordobicycles.substack.com/p/gladstone-...

Gladstone-Gilmour bikeway will boost cycling in Centretown...

...But bike lanes all the way down Gladstone are still needed

jordobicycles.substack.com

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Aug 28

These do lower speeds—at least early in the year, before drivers get used to them. (Avg reduction of 5kph and +25% in speed limit compliance.) But they're also effective at squeezing cyclists. City doesn't always try to slow speeds *and* make cycling comfortable bc it's harder and more expensive.

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Aug 27

I’ve been wondering about this!

Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Aug 20

Successfully defended my Master's thesis! "The development of residential zoning bylaws in Ottawa, 1946–1965" coming soon to a PDF download near you...

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Aug 9

Thank you, William. Seeing someone else ask that question made all the research worth it (for me, anyway). Btw, I spoke with Councillor Menard's office after writing the piece and they confirmed there are no plans to work on Mutchmor any time soon.

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jul 24

This could be fixed by allowing mixed crossings and letting cyclists cross on the walk signal on existing intersections like your example (separated facilities should still be encouraged on rebuilds). But I don't think the current provincial government is eager to reform cycling law.

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jul 24

Earnest answer: It's illegal under the Highway Traffic Act for cyclists to ride in a crosswalk. To make crossing on a bike legal, the city would have to install separate cyclist light signals and paint the crossing differently. That costs more and takes up more space than a walk-your-bike sign.

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jul 24

That lane closed sign is also facing the wrong direction. Cyclists going the right way will only see the back of it.

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jul 19

(This came soon after the NCC built its pathway system. Conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists on the new paths were rising—including one incident when someone threw tacks on the ground near Westboro Beach to puncture bike tires.)

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jul 19

I was surprised to learn today that there used to be bike lanes on Colonel By Drive.

The lanes were installed in 1972, but I'm not sure when they were removed. With the pathways getting busier, this is something that @ncc-ccn.bsky.social should consider bringing back—there's a precedent for it.

Newspaper clipping showing a photo and caption of a cyclist using a freshly-painted bike lane.

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jul 7

Great work from Carleton University to show that former Rideau River beaches at Brewer, Brantwood, and Springhurst Parks are safe for swimming (no testing at Dutchy's Hole, unfortunately).
newsroom.carleton.ca/story/water-...

Water Quality Expert Jumps into Rideau River Swimming Research

Water quality in Ottawa’s Rideau River is generally safe for swimming—Carleton researchers test weekly to confirm conditions at key locations.

newsroom.carleton.ca

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jul 7

Hana Suckstorff, writing for @graphicmatt.com's City Hall Watcher, describes how Toronto's Committee of Adjustment stymied a similar proposal—despite broader planning policies meant to encourage buildings like these.

toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/chw294

Toronto City Hall's Committee of Adjustment could use some adjustment

City Hall Watcher #294: Historian Hana Suckstorff explores the mysteries of the Committee of Adjustment. What's it for? What does it adjust? And do the things that it adjusts actually need adjusting?

toronto.cityhallwatcher.com

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jul 7

Why did the CoA reject the application? They sided with neighbours who opposed it. Some had the typical issues with shadows, parking, and bias against renters (who apparently don't volunteer). One neighbour was also worried that the development would displace raccoons who lived in the culvert.

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jul 7

One reason why the missing middle is missing: it takes a full year for the Ontario Land Tribunal to overturn a rogue ruling by the Committee of Adjustment, who rejected two 8-unit apartment buildings (two 6 unit buildings were allowed by right) against the opinion of City of Ottawa planners.

Jeff Leiper 🛴🚲🚇♻️🚌📊 @jleiper.bsky.social · Jul 7

Two very interesting OLT decisions in the past few days. The tribunal removed heritage designation from 501 Cole (no decision yet online), and overturned the Committee of Adjustment's refusal at 370 Princeton (www.canlii.org/en/on/onlt/d...).

www.canlii.org

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jun 26

Though this discriminatory intent is not explicit (in official plans or the PPS), the lack of solid planning ground to ban the “gentle density” of low-rise multiplexes—more likely to be considered “reasonable” to allow—might leave an opening for a Charter challenge on section 15. (4/4)

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jun 26

However, the history of exclusionary residential zoning shows examples that these bylaws were purposefully introduced to limit housing options for renters, lower classes, and racialized residents in certain areas (i.e. discriminatory). (3/4)

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jun 26

This is unlikely: Courts generally assume municipal bylaws follow the standards of professional planning when adhering to provincial laws, and therefore would not intervene (bylaws are inherently discriminatory, and so discretion to protect the public or provincial interest is assumed). (2/4)

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jun 26

Longer answer (1/4): A legal challenge to municipal zoning would have to show that it exceeded the powers granted to it by provincial legislation, or that such legislation was unreasonable or discriminatory to begin with.

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jun 26

Short answer: Canada doesn’t really have a Euclid equivalent. Some interesting cases went to Surpreme Court in early zoning days, such as Scarborough v. Bondi. https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/1959/1959canlii7/1959canlii7.html

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jun 16

(I flagged this with the City in November, and they told me they were "working on a solution." The project manager has since left the department, and nothing was done.)

Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jun 16

Cyclists will no doubt just proceed on the driver/pedestrian green. If they then get hit by a right-turning driver, the cyclist will be blamed for disobeying their signal—even though they should have had a green! The City is creating this risky situation.

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jun 16

Percy & Catherine intersection: drivers get a green light, pedestrians get a walk signal, but cyclists (in between) get a red light. I can't think of any rational explanation for this set-up, and I don't think it exists anywhere else in the city (anybody know?) @arieltroster.com can you fix this?

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jun 12

NCC is delivering. Over to you, City of Ottawa. Bring on more places to swim!
ottawacitizen.com/opinion/moff...

Moffatt: Ottawa needs more beaches — and it once had them

The overwhelming enthusiasm for the NCC’s River House shows the local desire to get into the water. Ottawa should make it easier.

ottawacitizen.com

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Jordan Moffatt @jordanmoffatt.bsky.social · Jun 12

They really did it.

National Capital Commission @ncc-ccn.gc.ca · Jun 12

Swimming at the Dow’s Lake recreational dock starts today, June 12! ✨

📍 Dow’s Lake
🏊‍♂️ Swimming is allowed every day
🧪 We have conducted robust testing within the swim area

#ottnews

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