#BudgetSpeak2016 date change
This year, we're doing something a little different for our budget consultation. Once again, Councillors Chernushenko, Fleury, Nussbaum and McKenney and I are cooperating on our annual consultation. Rather than host an open-ended meeting with all requests on the table, we're focusing this year's discussion on the three priorities we've heard most in the past couple of budget cycles. Take a look here for the details, and please note the date change. The event will now be held on Thursday,
October 13 from 7-9 pm at City Hall. We're hoping for a very large crowd - please attend if you can, and RSVP here.
404 Eden second public meeting
We'll be having a second public meeting on the 404 Eden proposal on Wednesday, October 12 from 7-9 at the Churchill Seniors Centre. As a refresher, Concorde Properties is proposing to demolish a one-storey detached dwelling there, and to construct a four-storey apartment building. We've been talking to the developer about our and resident's concerns as they seek a re-zoning, and I hope we'll see revised plans at the meeting. The most recently available information is on the City's DevApps site here.
October 5 & 19 Committee of Adjustment hearings
It's another heavily Kitchissippi-packed CoA agenda on October 5
- 461 Dawson (proposed two-storey semi with variances)
- 349 Roosevelt (subdivision for the semi currently under construction)
- 319 McRae (severance of the residential from commercial)
- 154 Nora (a conveyance of part of the property to abutting property)
- 576 Byron (subdivision and two three-storey units with variances)
- 495 Churchill/496 Highcroft (very contentious eight units in four semis)
- 1140 Wellington (resumed hearing on 13-storey Tamarack development behind Bethany Hope)
- 484 Brierwood (accessory carport)
The October 19 meeting has a few Kitchissippi properties under consideration:
- 36 Edina (an old application has been re-activated that would see a subdivision of the parcel and application made for permission to build a one-and-a-half-storey detached house on the new parcel facing Island Park Crescent.)
- 422 Byron (demolition of existing house and garage and construction of two-storey detached dwelling)
- 453 Broadview (demolition, sub-division and construction of two two-storey single family homes)
- 287 A/B Dovercourt (newly constructed semi needs permission for reduced front porch projection, reduced width driveway and permission to build walkway abutting a driveway. I will be following these closely since the application is being made post-construction)
- 475B Churchill (resumption of adjourned hearing to establish a secondary dwelling unit in basement of newly-constructed duplex)
Update on potential Pontiac closure
We had a very productive resident meeting on Tuesday night to explore the potential closure of a portion of Pontiac to join the NCC's linear park and Champlain Park. Since then, I've spent a few hours counting traffic and speaking further with residents. Get the latest update here.
Music Cities update
I've got a few updates to provide on my "side-of-the-desk" advocacy for Ottawa's music industry. Read the latest on a new studio opening and my Toronto trip report submission here.
SJAM winter trail crowdfunding
As expected, the SJAM winter trail folks and Dovercourt have opened a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to permanently maintain the winter multi-use path that was piloted last season. They've got a great new website up at www.wintertrail.ca, and I encourage everyone to check out the slick video on the fundraising site here. Please, help make this a sustainable project for years to come.
Pop-up office hours
This week's pop-up office hours will be at the Ottawa Bagelshop, 1321 Wellington Street West, from 10-1 on October 5. I look forward to seeing you there!
Sewer lining: Fisher Park and Hinton N.
While the City has been ensuring notice gets out, I want to apologize for being remiss in spreading word more broadly of some upcoming sewer lining work. Most importantly, the City will be lining the Cave Creek Collector underneath Fisher Park this Sunday. Notice has gone out to the residents most affected. The lining will run from Holland Avenue to the corner of Iona and Harmer, underneath the school. It should not affect park access, and disruption to homes nearby should be minimal. On Hinton N., we continue to face a moving target. The work was supposed to be done this summer, but there was a
problem with the liner as a patch of it dried prematurely. The work was supposed to resume mid-month, but there has been a supply issue with the non-VOC resin used in this ward. Our best information is that they are now looking at one or two weeks to get a new schedule, with lining possible in November.
Ashcroft licences of occupation
Just a brief note on two licences of occupation related to Ashcroft projects in our ward that have both been the subject of recent questions to our office. First, I suspect most residents are aware of the paved cut across the Byron Linear Park at the site of the Soeurs de la Visitation construction. It's become clear that the future development of that site is still up in the air, and I have let staff know that I do not concur with an extension of that permission past the October 18 expiration date. I am awaiting information as to when we could expect a restoration to park of that strip, but assume
it would be this spring. At Ashcroft's other site, the second phase of the Champagne development, I have agreed with staff on allowing the builder to use a very narrow strip of Ev Tremblay park during construction. We received after negotiation a very significant extra payment on top of the usual real estate value that will be put to use in refreshing the park in return. I'm hoping to be able to provide more details on that in the coming weeks.
Architectural Conservation Awards
The City is accepting nominations for its annual Ottawa Architectural Conservation Awards. There are several categories, and the deadline for applications is October 7. There are further details here.
Family Services Ottawa Music on a Mission
I'm delighted this year to be a patron of Family Services Ottawa's Music on a Mission fundraiser, to be held this year on October 28. Straight up, this music trivia evening is one of the most fun nights of the year in Ottawa. I was reminded this summer how important FSO's work is in the neighbourhood when personal or community crises happen. Please consider putting together a team. All the details are here.
Citizen Advocacy event
Citizen Advocacy, an NGO in our community doing important work on behalf of those with disabilities, is hosting a luncheon event, The Future of Inclusion in Ottawa, on November 4 that I hope residents will consider attending. The event is being held in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Service Coordinationi for People with Developmental Disabilities, and the Province. The event is for anyone interested in building more inclusive lifestyles and communities for people with disabilities. For more information, contact Susan Campbell at 613.761.9522 x.233.
McKellar Park AGM
The McKellar Park Community Association is hosting its annual general meeting on October 16 at 7:30. Attend for updates on the Richmond Road complete street proposal, Byron and Sherbourne traffic calming, incorporation and insurance, and the fall festival. I'll be joining, as well, to provide updates and answer questions. The meeting will be held at the McKellar Park field house at 549 Wavell. For more information, write to mpca.blog@gmail.com.
At City Hall
Committee meetings
I've got a quiet legislative week ahead with none of the committees on which I sit meeting. On Tuesday, I'll attend FEDCO where the Westboro Village BIA expansion is on the agenda, as well as receipt of my Music Cities conference attendance report, and I'll be making a Fair Trade-related procurement inquiry. On Wednesday, Transportation Committee meets focused on fleet updates, and an update from Safer Roads Ottawa. I won't be attending the meeting, but SRO's report makes interesting reading for those of us interested in pedestrian and cyclist safety. Take a look at it on the agenda
here. I expect I'll be spending significant time this week preparing for the following week's Environment Committee meeting where we'll be looking at wastewater and sewer rates.
I don't sit on it, but the first committee look at coach houses will be on Thursday at the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee meeting. You can see the item on the agenda here. I've been in touch with our community associations on this issue, and will have the opportunity to address it directly at Planning Committee the following week. After months of discussion, there are still outstanding concerns about the proposed zoning framework for coach houses vis-a-vis some of the gains we made on more
rear-yard amenity space in Infill II. This week I'll be working with our residents to see how we can influence the best possible outcomes from the coach houses debate.
Day-to-day
I have the usual meeting schedule with residents, community advocates, Councillors and staff on a variety of issues this week, in addition to my Wednesday pop-up hours. Of note, Fiona is marrying her partner Tom on Thursday! Congratulations, Fiona! She's understandably taking some time this week, so we'll be a little short-staffed for a few days. Also on an office note, we've begun the process of hiring a University of Ottawa co-op student for the first quarter of 2017. Last year, Nev was a very valuable addition to the term during her placement. Based on the resumes I've seen, I have
very high hopes that we'll be just as well served this time.
