News & Announcements

On the 9th of February 1922, the precursor to the National Capital Commission - the Ottawa Improvement Commission - and Robert H. Cowley entered into an agreement. The Commission granted Cowley the parcels of land adjacent to what is now Island Park Drive, subject to a number of restrictive covenants governing how those lots would develop. The covenants prohibited commercial traffic, largely gave the Commission design control over buildings, forced services to the rear of the lots and prescribed laneways.

Residents are used to seeing sharrows - the chevron/bike symbol - on roads across the city, but the most recent markings on Wellington between Parkdale and Holland have raised some eyebrows. What are they?

As I wrote a few newsletters ago, this corridor is the subject of a pilot to test new markings intended to improve cycling safety. New "bike priority" signage and "watch for bikes" went up a while ago, and with the addition of "dooring zone" markings on the road, the final elements are in place.

Work is just about set to get underway on a road, sewer and watermain rehab of McRae Avenue. Work should begin mid-July between Scott and Richmond Road, and will involve street closures and an on-street parking ban. Work is expected to be substantially completed by mid-December, with the likelihood of a spring final ashpalt lift.

Buses will be detoured during construction. Bus stops 4841, 4893 and 7377 will be closed. Detours are as follows, and shown in the graphic.

The redevelopment of Reid Park has been in the making since 2013. This beautiful green space means so much to so many in the area and a prior consultation process determined ways that city funds for park improvements could be used to make it even more useful for the surrounding community.

Touch those toes, fill that water bottle, tie your shoes, and get ready for the 2015 Cyclelogik Centennial Hintonburg 5K and 1K Kids Fun Run!

I’ve fielded a number of calls in the past months asking about the property at 371 Richmond Road, for which Domicile applied for a re-zoning to allow a 9-storey building.

That application is currently on pause while Domicile re-jigs the design. Community feedback and my own was strongly against some of the elements. In particular, I’m seeking much greater set-backs on the north side to stop the building from imposing a wall of condos on Madison residents.

Happy Thursday everyone. Since we are in the middle of this beautiful summer, we thought it would be a great moment to talk about heat. Back in April Jeff had the chance to meet with Mark and Meghan, two Hintonburg residents who know a lot about the importance of heat. They are building their own house, but with a twist. They are building a home known as a Passivhaus.

This week, I'll be asking by way of motion for our planning staff to bring forward a recommendation on re-zoning 1391 Wellington West to allow a "broadcasting studio", facilitating a move by CHIN Radio into our community. Under the current Traditional Mainstreet zoning for the area, a broadcasting studio isn't a permitted use.

On Tuesday at Planning Committee, we'll consider a staff review of the City's cash-in-lieu (CIL) of parkland policy that proposes several welcome reforms. Kitchissippi has been one of the largest recipients of CIL money in recent years. While the resources have been put to beneficial use, the proposed tweaks will result in some needed improvements.

My colleague Catherine McKenney and I got an update from staff on the Hickory Street pedestrian bridge yesterday. Several residents have been asking - here's the scoop:

The Hickory Pedestrian Bridge construction is progressing well and is following original construction schedule.

The next milestone at the end of June 2015 is the delivery of all bridge and deck elements to the construction site.