News & Announcements

Tree loss, especially to infill, is a frequent topic of discussion in Kitchissippi. Last May, I made an inquiry of staff at the Environment Committee on which I sit to report on options for reporting to Council the number of tree removal permits being granted. I was grateful that they, instead, responded they would simply begin reporting on tree removal permits. Today, the first of those was posted to the agenda of our upcoming April 19 Environment Committee meeting.

As many residents are aware, this summer Spencer Avenue between Western and Holland will be re-built. Recently, the City hosted an open house to look at the plans. The City and my office both got an earful of feedback! While the City’s plans were for a straightforward street rehabilitation with a few intersection narrowings, residents and I were both keen to take advantage of this opportunity to address in a more substantial way cycling safety and traffic speed.

There is a renovation plan for Mahoney Park in 2017, under the Park Lifecycle Replacement Program.  The project scope includes the replacement of the playground equipment, the installation of engineered wood fibre within the playground areas to meet safety and accessibility requirements, and the addition of a bench.  The City has funding this year to undertake the conceptual design to replace the playground equipment in the park.  Construction is tentatively planned for next year pending approval of the construction funding in the 2017 City Budget.

We are pleased to report that work is getting underway for the re-development of Reid Park! We have two updates from the Senior Project Manager that we wanted to pass along. Whether you participated in the consultation sessions or are a park user, these notices are important to note:

This week, I was very pleased to co-sign a request to the City that it prioritize funding for its Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure plan as we apply for fuding to the new Green Infrastructure Fund. The letter is copied below. Councillor McKenney got some great press around the letter in the Ottawa Citizen - read the full story here.

***

Dear Deputy City Manager John Moser,  

Today, stakeholders in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Cleary LRT station and media were briefed on a proposed change to the LRT route around Cleary Avenue (see inset, click to embiggen). The new route will turn south sooner to the east, which effectively makes it possible to have a proper station fronting onto Richmond Road, and takes the line out of the Unitarian campus property.

A community Information Session regarding the proposed John Howard Society development at 55-59 Carruthers

On April 29, 2015, Council approved the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) capital plan that aligns with the City’s 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan.  The three priorities for new developments that were approved as part of the report are as follows:

·        Affordable Rental Housing for Seniors;

·        Supportive Housing; and

·        Mixed Composition Housing

It will, as usual, take time for observers to fully understand the implications of the federal budget, but several housing items have captured analysts' and stakeholders' attention as important. Several items are critical to cities. Housing is a massive imperative, and I'm often in a difficult spot to respond to residents on how we can address it.

I and community stakeholders received word this week that Main & Main, which owns the recently heritage-designated gas station at the corner of Island Park and Richmond Road, has applied for permission to build an addition to add a drive-through to the site for a "high end coffee shop".

This week, in Newswest, Lorrie Marlow wrote an excellent piece touching on her concerns about a recent food truck "rally" proposal at Richcraft's Parkdale Avenue site. The proposal, for the corner of Lyndale and Parkdale, is for up to three food trucks during weekdays - but only after property owner, Richcraft, receives a demolition permit for the two houses and former Cottage restaurant.