Report to all River Ward Community Associations

Nov-Dec 2000

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1.  Note on Assessments

            Every property in Ontario has recently been reassessed as part of the provincial government’s commitment to maintain a fair and transparent property tax system.  This will allow residents to compare the value of their homes with similar properties in other municipalities.  It is important to note that a higher property tax assessment does not mean a higher property tax bill.  If the new city of Ottawa freezes taxes, then the tax rate will be reduced appropriately where average property values have increased.  There should be no increase in average residential property taxes within a municipality unless Council decides to increase its spending for new or expanded programs.

            In the “old” city of Ottawa, in the residential property class, it is estimated that the average assessment has increased by about 5%.  If your assessment went up more than 5% then your taxes may increase proportionately, if your assessment went down, then expect a decrease. 

           

2.  Red Light Cameras

            As part of a two-year pilot program in Ottawa, cameras are being rotated among eight intersections to enforce red light running.  The actual locations of the cameras at any given time will not be disclosed to the public.

            During the first 3 days of operation, red light cameras at two intersections recorded 270 individual violations.  The camera located at the intersection of Carling Avenue and Bronson Avenue recorded 188 violations, while the camera at Richmond Road and Carling Avenue recorded 82 violations.

            Cameras are only recording violations in one direction at these intersections, and only when the vehicle enters the intersection on a red light.  These are not people being caught in a yellow light or waiting to turn, but blatantly breaking the law and risking their own lives and the lives of others.   Fines are $190. 

 

3.  OC Transpo Ridership

            The October 2000 ridership was 6.2% higher than October 1999.  To date, ridership is 7.1% above that of 1999.  This includes a significant 12.7% increase in adult pass sales, which reflects the increase in employment in the Region during the past year and the sharp increase in gas prices.

            October 2000 revenues are 4.4% or $327,000 above budget.  For the year to date, fare revenues are 2.5% or $1.7 million above budget.

            Hats off to OC Transpo and Loblaws who helped local food banks stock their shelves by collecting 46,000 food items this December.  Cash and food vouchers donations totalled over $21,000 as well.

 

4.  Free Flu Shot Clinics

            Ottawa-Carleton has launched a series of flu vaccination clinics that will be held throughout the region until December 21.  All persons who live and work in the area are invited to attend one of these clinics to receive their free flu shot, courtesy of the provincial government.  The vaccine is up to 90% effective in preventing the flu, and cannot cause the flu since it does not contain any live virus.  The Medical Officer of Health advises that getting a flu shot is your best chance to fight the flu bug.

For locations of clinics, check the Saturday editions of daily newspapers or RMOC’s website at www.rmoc.on.ca/healthsante - or call the Flu Information Line at 724-4228.

 

5.  Conservation Land Acquired by Region

            RMOC has purchased 556 acres of forest, provincially-significant wetlands and trails in the South March Highlands.  This area supports a range of natural vegetation which is rarely seen in our region.  It will be the second largest forested recreational area in the new city. 

            The decision to acquire this parcel was due to its high ecological and open space significance.  Another point of concern was the current pressure on the land due to its location at the edge of the current urban boundary, just west of the Kanata North Business Park and north of the future hi-tech development around the Corel Centre. 

The purchase price of $1.6 million was provided from the Region’s greenspace reserve fund.

 

6.  2001 Call for Community Environmental Projects Grants - Project Proposals

            The Regions CEPGP program is designed to help the Region meet its objectives in solid waste diversion, water efficiency, and water protection.  The program provides funding for small scale community-based initiatives managed by non-profit organizations wanting to improve the environment.

            The next submission date for CEPGP grant applications is planned for 4:00 pm on Friday, 16 March 2001.  Information sheets and application forms will be mailed to community groups in early February.  Additional information can be obtained at www.rmoc.on.ca/cepgp.

 

7.  Federal/Provincial Infrastructure Funding

            On October 20th senior governments signed an agreement to provide infrastructure funding as outlined in their respective 2000 budget announcements.  The Provincial SuperBuild will invest $1.9 billion over 5 years in improving and upgrading municipal infrastructure (not including monies for Toronto’s waterfront re-development).  The Federal contribution is $680 million over 6 years.

            In the past 5 years, transfer payments and infrastructure cost-sharing in areas such as public transit and transportation have been reduced by $100 million annually to our Region alone.  This is good news for the new city -- Ottawa’s share of this funding is integral to necessary local transit and road improvements.

 

8.  Economic Generators - Projects Funded

            Earlier this year Council approved the expenditure of $400,000 of seed funding for the implementation of specific initiatives developed to help build an innovative economy and strengthen the 7 clusters of industries where Ottawa is succeeding on the world stage.  The Ottawa Partnership (TOP) has allocated this funding as follows:  Ottawa Biotechnology Incubation Centre - to help establish two commercialization facilities needed to take promising biotechology innovations beyond the research stage into viable commercial enterprises; Ottawa Connects - to help establish Ottawa as one of the most electronically connected cities in the world and a centre of technological excellence; Branding Ottawa - towards a research based program to develop a profile of Ottawa as an international business capital; Photonics Technology Roadmap - to help enable Ottawa to become the world’s leading supplier of global Internet infrastructure and equipment.

 

9.  Light Rail on Track

            With new station construction underway this past October, by next summer, residents of Ottawa will be riding the rails from Greenboro to Bayview stations.  Five stations along the route will allow seamless connections to regular and high-frequency Transitway bus service.  Light rail is also expected to become the transit hub for Carleton University students and faculty.

 

10.  Watermain Improvements in Carleton Heights

            Unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances the Region was not able to start construction of the replacement watermains on Melfa, Minaki and Prince of Wales.  There was not enough time to complete this project before cold weather would have compromised overland water supplies - a costly and disruptive problem.  The work is now scheduled to begin in May 2001 with completion by July.

 

11.  Update on Transition Board - New City Budget

            On December 1st the Ottawa Transition Board released its draft 2001 budget and 2002 and 2003 financial forecasts for the new City of Ottawa.  The documents show $86.5 million in amalgamation savings (identified to date) over 3 years.  There is also a list of budgetary pressures and unfunded priorities which the new Council will need to consider.

            Additional costs of doing business include operating costs to service new growth and inflation of fuel and energy costs, salaries, wages and benefits - which represent 39% of municipal budgets.   Enhancing ambulance services and the just-transferred social housing portfolio will amount to an additional re-investment of approximately $30 million (amounting to the first year’s savings from amalgamation).  

            Included in the budget is the sale of Ottawa City Hall and harmonizing salaries.  Excluded is financing for the needed $120 million infrastructure (primarily in the west end), and harmonizing fees and rates.

            The provincial government has agreed to pay 75% of transition costs - about $142 million.  The new city will pay for the remaining 25% of transition costs with the savings realized in 2002 and 2003.

            The Transition Board has invited public feedback and input on the draft budget documents until December 15th - with approval slated for the week of December 18th.  The Board will then make its Budget recommendations to the new Council in January 2001.  To view the Budget documentation, you can visit the Board’s website at www.ottawatransition.on.ca  or any local municipal office.  Comments can be made by

e-mail at info@ottawatransition.on.ca or by phoning 580-4773. 

 

12.  Energy Efficiency Opportunity for your Home

EnviroCentre is a non-profit community enterprise dedicated to energy conservation.  Since 1999, their Home Performance Experts have shown over 300 homeowners in the region how to save over $400 per year on utility bills and get their homes ready for winter.  Their Home Comfort Service includes an EnerGuide for Houses assessment, which is currently supported by the federal government.

            EnviroCentre’s Home Comfort Service includes:

·        a computerized ventilation test.  With gas and oil prices on the rise, don’t waste money heating the outside air.

·        a review of mould, moisture and other indoor air quality problems that could be making your family sick.

·        a heating system analysis to determine why some rooms are colder than others.

·        a customized report with clear recommendations so you can prioritize your efficiency upgrades to ensure the most comfortable and energy efficient winter ever.

            To contact Envirocentre for more information, or to book their Home Comfort Service call 244-5624 or at www.envirocentre.ca.

           

13.  RMOC Recognized as Champion for Climate Change

            The Region of Ottawa-Carleton has been awarded a Gold Champion Level Reporter Award for its Corporate Climate Change Action Plan by the Voluntary Challenge Registry (VCR).  Natural Resources Canada established the VCR as a key element of Canada’s National Action Program on climate change to encourage corporations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

            This award recognizes   the co-generation facility which was constructed at the Region’s sewage treatment plant - and reduces CO2 emissions by 115 tonnes per year (and saves $27,000).  The corporation has also provided upgrades to the water treatment facility resulting in 20-30% greater efficiency in energy use.  Converting one of our Seniors residences to natural gas has also reduced emissions by 200 tonnes and saved over $100,000 in annual operating costs.

Development and Proposals Underway in River Ward (November-December 2000)

 

1.      Medical Centre/Hyperbaric Chamber: Bank & Vancouver: current status - City of Ottawa’s Committee of Adjustment decision not to the allow the Medical Centre to relocate the oxygen tank along Foxbar Ave. has been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board but withdrawn by the Bank Medical Centre.   A trial was held on December 6th to deal with the current tank location’s fire code breach which was dismissed by the Courts. A subsequent site plan has been submitted to the City of Ottawa which meets the zoning requirements.  Approval rests with the Ward Councillor. 

 

2.      Central Park/Ashcroft/Clyde Avenue Holdings: 1241 Clyde Ave. (former DOC lands); current status - proposed plan of subdivision approval for approximately 149 dwellings, mainly townhouses and semi-detached dwellings was approved by the Regional Planning & Environment Committee and Regional Council.  Appealed to the OMB and a hearing date is to be scheduled.

 

3.      Revelstoke & Dorothea: Application to subdivide 93, 95 Dorothea Drive & 3824 Revelstoke Drive into three separate parcels of land.  Appealed by the applicants to the OMB, Hearing held on June 22, and a decision to dismiss the appeal was rendered on October 20th. 

 

4.      Heron/Walkley lands:  These lands were tendered by the NCC (4 parcels) in Dec. ’99 and a signed agreement was reported with Claridge Homes for the purchase of 4 parcels.  2 parcels located approximately from Walkley Road in the north, to south of Kitchener Ave. is scheduled to close on or before Feb. 2001 and the 2 parcels north of Walkley has a closing date of on or before February 2002.  More information when available.

 

5.      Churchill Avenue South and 875 Bellevue Avenue:  Application received by City to remove holding zone (see April report).  On hold until applicant provides a study showing that adequate sanitary and transportation capacity exists.  No further action before the New Year. 

 

6.      Minto Development - 1530 Fisher Avenue:  corner of Fisher & Meadowlands; current status - Revised Site Plan Control Proposal for two one-story commercial buildings was approved at the end of November following a decision of the OMB to uphold By-law and Official Plan Amendment.  The outdoor patio component of the site plan has been removed. 

 

7.      Walkley Road:  Application received  by City to permit an office or residential development on this vacant site located along the south side of Walkley Road and west of Bank Street.  Two zoning exceptions proposed for site - increase in building height from 6 stories to 10 & at-grade commercial uses not be  required in the case of permitted residential uses such as apartment building.  A public meeting will be scheduled in the new year. 

 

8.      Moffatt Farm:  NCC report that an agreement has been signed with a local developer who will be filing a plan of subdivision shortly.  The developer is planning to apply for rezoning and an official plan amendment.  Once the plan of subdivision has been filed the full consultation process will begin.  More information when available. 

 

9.      Urbandale Development - 3596 Old Riverside Drive:  located on the west side of Old Riverside and Nelligan Lane; current status - site plan control approvals granted in 1998 and 1999 for 2 condominium high-rise apartment buildings consisting of 12-stories and 19-stories.  Application to Committee of Adjustment to permit an increase from 12 to 18 stories for the south building was granted on November 24th, subject to a 20-day appeal process. 

 

10.  McCarthy/Cahill West Development - former Ottawa-Carleton District School Board vacant site in the northwest corner of McCarthy Road and Cahill Drive West; current status - Minto Developments Inc. have purchased this property and will be required to apply to the City of Ottawa for re-zoning to build dwelling units of any type.  Minto does not have a proposal at this time.  Public consultation is integral to changing land use designations.

 

11.  Proposed Development  - 1132 Merivale Road:  vacant lot at the corner of Mayview Avenue; current status - Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation have negotiated an Agreement of Purchase and Sale for this property.  They are proposing to construct 13, 2,3 and 4-bedroom townhouses and stacked townhouse rental units.  This property is currently zoned R5A which permits apartment and townhouse buildings.  No re-zoning is required.

 

This will be the last Regional Councillor’s Report.  To those receipients who have called to give direction and offer advice over the past 6 years, I would like to extend my sincere thanks.  It has been an honour and a privilege to have served you as Regional Councillor for the past two terms.

 

The new City of Ottawa will be created on Janaury 1, 2001.  As soon as possible, I intend to resume reporting to you in this format to keep community associations and individuals informed of the issues before municipal government.  I trust you will not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have comments or concerns or require more information on any of the items in these reports.   In our new city of almost one million residents, we will have to work in close partnership to ensure that your voice, and local priorities, are not lost.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

 

With best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas season,

Wendy Stewart