News & Announcements

Yesterday afternoon, I was very pleased to join Safer Roads Ottawa, the Ottawa Police Service and the City to actively seek out the opinion of cyclists on how the new "dooring zone" markings are working for them. We got a lot of feedback from cyclists from whom we might not have otherwise heard. It was mixed, of course!

My thanks to all involved. It was a productive afternoon under that hot sun, and our understanding of how these are working was advanced. I shot a little video of how the afternoon went for those who would like a bit of the flavour.

I've written this morning to the Committee of Adjustment about the application to sub-divide and provide variances to create four, three-storey units at the corner of Hilson and Byron. It goes to hearing tomorrow. I don't write often to the Committee: it's deliberately a hands-off-to-politicians process. But, in this instance, it's not a run-of-the-mill application.

The following is a summary of the decision from the July 8th Committee of Adjustment hearing on 67 Pinhey Street:

Construction on Scott Street to accommodate the detour of buses during LRT conversion is proceeding more quickly than anticipated. Work on the Bayview to Carruthers section could be done as early as today (new catchbasins, curbs and repaving).

Next Thursday, our Built Heritage Sub-Committee will consider heritage designation for the old cottage gas station at the corner of Richmond Road and Island Park. The report recommending designation is attached below. I support the recommendation, and am looking forward to the debate. This building has significant potential for any number of uses that could be positive. Over the years, I've heard a lot of support for protecting it.

The final phase of Queensway widening and bridge replacement is the widening of the Queensway to four lanes between Maitland and Carling, rehabilitation of the Merivale bridges, replacement of the noise barriers, and various related works. The province is holding a Public Information Centre to provide an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed works. It will be held on Tuesday, August 11 at JA Dulude Arena, 941 Clyde Avenue, from 4-8pm. Apologies for the late notice, but I've just received it.

I've posted some video from last night's Samba in the Park event at McCormick Park. The event's been run for 14 or 15 years now. Originally it was a fundraiser by the Hintonburg Economic Development Committee to help build a new play structure, but each year since Ottawa Samba has come back to entertain residents with their energetic music. This year, the HEDC asked people to bring donations of toiletries for another local initiative, the "Clean Kits" put together by Mimi Golding and others.

Several cycling and area traffic management improvements are set to get underway in the Byron/Tyndall corridor from Island Park to Gladstone. Among the measures are new painted cycling lanes (including the removal of some parking on Byron), some speed humps and other pavement markings. Click on the Word document below for more details.

Attached is a summary of decisions from the July 22nd Committee of Adjustment hearing.