Minutes of Meeting 11 September 2006

Attendees:

Motion: Where as: Ottawa Council has approved a South Keys light rail station (on the north-south line) adjacent to the existing Transitway station and the South Keys shopping mall;
Where as: The soon to be completed Sawmill Creek constructed wetland, located primarily in the vacant land bounded by Hunt Club Road, Walkley Road, the Transitway and the Airport Parkway, will consist of a series of ponds and control structures in a landscaped, park-like setting with recreational paths;
And where as: For over 40 years, there has been an informal foot path from Cahill Drive West at Plante Drive to the west side of Bank Street, as people prefer that route over the pedestrian unfriendly Hunt Club Road.
Be it moved that the Hunt Club Community Organization requests the city to construct a footpath from Cahill Street West at Plante to the South Keys Rail /Transitway Station.

Such a path would be a constructive way to facilitate use of both the city's light rail and bus public transit systems. It would allow the residents of both South Keys and Hunt Club to safely utilize the park-like setting being established with the Sawmill Creek constructed wetland. It would be safer then the current informal path or walking/biking on the parallel section of Hunt Club Road.

The construction of this path would involve the construction of a foot bridge over the Airport Parkway, a small bridge over the Cahill tributary of Sawmill creek and a western access door to the South Keys Rail /Transitway Station.

Now is the time to embark on this project. The South Keys station is now being planned and so the additional access can be planned and installed at minimum costs. The wetlands project is being completed and the path could be incorporated in the project. The bridge over the Airport parkway would be the most costly aspect of the project. However, this area of the parkway is lit and so electricity is available. Moved by Alan Asselstine; seconded by John Sankey. Carried.

Motion: Whereas: The city's East/West Light Rail environmental assessment is at the stage of having a preliminary recommended route within the approved corridor between Walkley road and Hunt Club road from St. Laurent boulevard and the Rideau River;
Whereas: The preliminary route follows Walkley road from St. Laurent to the Airport parkway as this route is nearest to the most potential train users;
Whereas: After the Airport parkway the preliminary route goes south beside the parkway to the hydro lines and then west along the hydro line corridor to Riverside drive and then to the Rideau river;
Whereas: The alternate route from the Airport parkway and Walkley drive goes along Walkley drive to Riverside drive then south on Riverside to the Hydro lines;
Whereas: The Walkley/Riverside route is technical feasible but scored slightly fewer points then the Parkway/Hydro Lines route;
Whereas: The Walkley/Riverside route would serve more potential users as there are residents on both sides of Walkley and Riverside plus it would be near Mooney's Bay Park and facilities;
And whereas: The Walkley/Riverside would avoid a crossing of McCarthy (McCarthy ends at Walkley) and bridge at the Via/CN rail line as the Walkley rail bridge can accommodate both the road and the East/West Light Rail line.
It is moved that: The HCCO request the city to utilize the Walkley/ Riverside corridor for the proposed East/West Light Rail line.

Note: although it is not certain there will be an East/West Light Rail line, it is important that we make our views known now before decisions are made. Moved by Alan Asselstine; seconded by Shelley Parlow. Carried.

City councillor, Maria McRae submitted a written report.

Fred McLennan: Fred Winters has moved and has resigned as director.

John Sankey has researched the frequency of bus stops in the City. OC Transpo says that in determining bus stops, it does balance convenience against efficiency. John wants to study two bus stops on Uplands drive with a view to improve efficiency. There was a general agreement that this study would be worthwhile.

Fred McLennan: The HCCO website is http://hunt-club.ncf.ca/ The website was discussed and everyone agreed that it should be restricted to items approved by the HCCO executive such as the agendas and the final minutes.

Fred McLennan: The annual general meeting will be held Monday 6 November 2006.

Next HCCO meeting: Mon 2 Oct 2006 at 7:30pm