Here are the current applications for variances and divisions being heard on Wednesday, October 7th at the Committee of Adjustment. The meetings are open to the public and any interested party can appear before the Committee to present their views in support of or in opposition to an application. Public Hearings are held in the Council Chambers at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive, and are regularly scheduled for 1pm.

On Tuesday, I'm seeking to have Planning Committee approve a re-zoning to allow a new ARPi mural at 3 Lowrey, facing Garland. My thanks go to Roger Senecal for suggesting the mural and making it possible, and to the Hintonburg Community Association for their support. Pictured is a mock-up of the proposed art. Can't wait!

On September 23 at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park, the City is celebrating National Tree Day and, at the same time, getting underway with a new Urban Forest Management Plan consultation. I'm really pleased to be attending and introducing keynote speaker Philip van Wassaenaer, principal consulting arborist and founder of Urban Forest Innovations. The event begins at 6 pm with an expo, and then formal presentation at 7.

1445, 1451 Wellington Street West – Information Session

Date:  Thursday, September 24^th

Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Place: Kitchissippi United Church, 630 Island Park Drive

As many residents know, Mizrahi Developments has proposed a 12-storey development at the corner of Island Park and Wellington West. City Council disallowed the project, and the developer sought permission from the Ontario Municipal Board to proceed.

Lemieux Island has one of two water purification plants in the City. One of the issues the City is facing is the build up of "frazil" ice at the intake pipe, and it is looking at solutions through an Environmental Assessment (EA) process, in consultation with the feds and province. The City can contract temporary pumping services, but they're not a long-term fix. As part of the EA, the City is hosting a public open house to look at the alternatives being considered to modify the intake pipe.

I received the following update today on the St. Francis construction.

Hi Councillor Leiper

 

I have another update for you on the St. Francis –Edgar project. The portion of St. Francis north of Gladstone is now paved with base asphalt. We expect most of the boulevard restorations behind the new sidewalks (i.e sod and driveways) to be completed in this area by the end of this week. The school buses that are temporarily parking on Fairmont should be able to go back to using Duhamel Street / St. Francis Street next week.

 

We've received the following updates on Scott Street widening and MUP construction. 

Scott St. widening update

In response to numerous requests from those seeking to address the humanitarian crisis among refugees from war in Syria, I'm hosting a public meeting on September 17. The meeting will be at the Hintonburg Community Centre, 1064 Wellington Street West, at 7:30 PM.

Last month, mother of three and well-known server at the Carleton Tavern Michelle Brazeau was diagnosed with a very serious medical condition. To help, the community has rallied together to host a fundraiser at the Carleton on Ocober 4, from 3-7 pm. There will be lots of local music, raffle prizes and a 50/50.

There is a crowdfunding effort underway, as well, at http://www.gofundme.com/y533u8b8. I'm sure Kitchissippi will be generous!

Building a new light rail line is a massive and complex undertaking. A report coming to our finance committee next week sheds some light on the many players involved, and is a good opportunity for me to write about how some of the challenges of the first phase will hopefully be overcome in the second. Anyone interested in who is responsible for what in building light rail, and with what accountability, may find it interesting.