Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Shelley Parlow, Director
• Mike Nihmey
• Carole Gudz
• Pat Murphy, City councillor’s office

Motion: To donate the same amount as last year to the Victoria Day Celebration. Moved by Peter Brimacombe, seconded by Shelley Parlow. carried.

Pat Murphy presented a written report from City Councillor Maria McRae.

Carole Gudz and Mike Nihmey presented their proposal for a Car Free Day (CFD). Car Free Day is an initiative of the Sierra Club, it is a series of events to show the benefits of restricting automobiles within cities. The proposal is to close a small stretch of McCarthy Road between Hunt Club Road and the south-end of Plante Drive on Thursday September 22, 2005. The Road would be closed for four hours from 13:00 to 17:00. There could be fun events such as a community quilt where people would paint murals on canvas or other material and put them together on the Road. There could be a giant snakes-and-ladders game where the pieces are real people. Mike Nihmey has approached different schools to see if their students could participate.

Shelley Parlow: thought the idea was good.

Peter Brimacombe: we need at least 50% of the people that live on that stretch of road to sign on.

Fred McLennan: some people are going to be angry. It’s important that the event be well advertised. The issue will be deferred until next meeting.

Pat Murphy (representing Maria McRae) presented the Councillor’s Report:

• Uplands Park, City Council has approved $35,000 to replace the school-age play-structure. Thanks to Sarah McCormack for her help
• Rack and Roll is a program whereby cyclists can put their bikes on a bike rack and get on the bus. Not all buses are equipped with bike racks but there are 200 buses with them and ten designated routes. See http://www.octranspo.com/
• Maria McRae will host a strawberry social at the end of June. Contact Maria McRae at 580-2486 for tickets
• sewer backups, City Council has expanded the subsidy program for the installation of protective plumbing. See http://ottawa.ca/city_services/grants/10_15_en.shtml
• compost for sale at Trail Road, $5.15 to fill a container in a car and $15.45 to fill a pick-up truck. See http://ottawa.ca/gc/compost_awareness_en.shtml
• smoke alarms, Ottawa Fire Services reminds us to have working smoke alarms!
• West Nile virus protection, the City is continuing its program which includes applying larvicide as needed. See http://ottawa.ca/city_services/yourhealth/environmental/westnile_faq_en.shtml

Shelley Parlow asked for a garbage collection calendar. Pat Murphy will send her one. It’s also available online: http://ottawa.ca/gc/zone7f_en.shtml.

Fred McLennan: Erwin Dreessen has asked for a donation to the Victoria Day Celebration.

Shelley Parlow: Erwin Dreessen and Bill Royds will present the Poets’ Pathway to the National Capital Commission (NCC) on Tuesday May 3.

Fred McLennan: Longwood Building Corporation has submitted a plan for the development of 96 townhouses, south of Hunt Club Road, behind the BMW dealership.

Shelley Parlow: the main concern is that the water quality of creeks through the property be protected.

Next meeting: Mon 6 Jun 2005 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Shelley Parlow, Director
• Fred Winters, Director
• Pat Murphy, City councillor’s office

Motion: To widen the Terms of Reference of the Environmental Assessment to include a broader range of options including an east-west route through downtown. Moved by Alan Asselstine, seconded by Shelley Parlow. Carried.

Fred McLennan: The City will give us a tree to plant to help celebrate its 150th anniversary. We have the choice of maple or oak and we need to choose a place to plant it.

Two places were discussed: one on the grounds of the Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre beside the baseball field next to McCarthy Woods and the other in Cahill Park near Twyford. The consensus was that the first location was the best and the tree should be a maple.

Pat Murphy (representing Maria McRae):

• The City is promoting “Spring Cleaning the Capital Campaign”. This is a project where residents cleanup areas near them. The City will pick up the garbage collected.
• “Ottawa Business Connects” is a program to help Ottawa businesses especially manufacturing.
• Maria McRae asked that the Police enforce speeding laws particularly on Plante Drive.
• There have been ongoing discussions regarding the entrance to the Shoppers Drug Mart Plaza at Walkley Road and Bank Street. One of the options is to put in a new traffic light on Walkley Road. In the meantime the existing entrance will be kept. Maria has talked with the commercial tenants in the A&P Plaza about safety concerns.
• She has discussed Neighbourhood Watch with people around Cahill Park near Twyford. A petition concerning property standards concerning the Hunt Club near Hunt Club Place has been sent to Bylaw Enforcement.

Fred McLennan presented a letter from one of the property owners on Hunt Club Place and a map of the land parcels with an aerial photograph as a backdrop. The property owners were identified and the presence of a stream was noted. Consensus was to take no position at this time subject to the review by Bylaw Enforcement.

Alan Asselstine reported on the East West Public Corridor LRT Project: http://ottawa.ca/public_consult/lrt/ew/index_en.shtml
The proposed route goes along the CNR railway on the north edge of the Southern Corridor. The Recommended Rapid Transit Network is a de-facto decision for railways and existing railway lines. It suggests stations in the middle of the Southern Corridor. It will use existing bridges but it will compete with existing freight trains. The real problem with public transit is the congestion of buses through the downtown area.

Shelley Parlow: She went to visit David McGuinty (M.P.) and a representative from Dalton McGuinty’s (Premier of Ontario) office. She presented the proposed Poets’ Pathway which would consist of 30 kilometres of walking trails. It is designed to preserve the Southern Corridor in its natural state. The meeting lasted three hours and was very friendly. David McGuinty said that he was glad to know of the concerns of the residents of Hunt Club.

Peter Brimacombe: Development of the Southern Corridor is one piece of the infrastructure that we need to survive peak oil. There is a growing body of opinion that warns of the danger:

• http://www.endofsuburbia.com/
• http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/
• http://www.endofsuburbia.com/ and
• http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/.

The danger is such that McCarthy Woods is likely to be cut down for firewood!

Maria McRae. On the Tuesday after our meeting Alan received a letter from Maria saying that the 2005 City budget contains $9M for Phase II of the Sawmill Creek constructed wetlands. Construction is expected to start this fall. This is taking place thanks to Maria’s hard work and Wendy’s before that.

Next meeting: Mon 2 May 2005 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director
• Shelley Parlow, Director
• Patrick Richter (Southern Corridor and website) Director (memberships)
• Erwin Dreessen
• Sarah McCormack
• Bill Royds, Greenspace Alliance
• Maria McRae, City councillor
• Pat Murphy, City councillor’s office
• Christen Harold, The News

City Councillor Maria McRae submitted a written report.

Erwin Dreessen and Bill Royds presented “Saving the Southern Corridor through Poetry”. The proposal is that the Southern Corridor should be preserved as a way to commemorate the Confederation Poets who were centered in the capital. This proposal is made by the Greenspace Alliance: http://www.flora.org/greenspace/poetspath-1/index.shtml. The National Capital Commission (NCC) owns the Southern Corridor. The NCC contests the designation of major portions of the Southern Corridor as Major Open Space in the City’s Official Plan. Instead the NCC wants them designated as General Urban Area which would allow them to be developed. Included in the proposal was a groundworks design for a commemorative plaque surrounded by a grove located next the the Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre.

Patrick Richter: What would be the costs of the Poets’ Pathway?

Erwin Dreessen: The NCC would forego the sale of the property for development.

Sarah McCormack: Would adoption of this proposal save the Southern Corridor from development?

Erwin Dreessen: Yes. The Poets’ Pathway would go from Britannia in the west to the Beechwood Cemetery in the east but there are obstacles to a continuous pathway.

Peter Brimacombe: The City proposes to build 48,000 housing units in Leitrim/South Ottawa over the next 20 years to provide for a growing population. The 48,000 housing units will require an infrastructure that is too expensive to build, will require energy too expensive to maintain, will make development of an efficient public transit system impossible and will encroach on agricultural land. The documentary “The End of Suburbia” makes the point that “peak oil” is inevitable. The 48,000 units are not only inefficient, they threaten our survival. See http://www.endofsuburbia.com/catalog.htm. The documentary will be shown on Wednesday night at 22:00 on Vision TV. The alternative is to develop within the City. The Southern Corridor would be one such development.

There was a general discussion about Erwin Dreessen and Bill Royds’ presentation. Comments were positive.

Maria McRae:

• Agrees that we should preserve the Southern Corridor but that our best strategy is to work with the NCC to find a permanent solution.
• Thanked Erwin Dreessen and Bill Royds for their presentation and noted that Bill Royds also worked on the Sawmill Creek constructed wetlands.
• The proposed east-west extension of Light Rail will cut across a corner of the Southern Corridor.: http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/public_consult/lrt/ew/index_en.shtml
• There will be public meetings about expansion of Light Rail, March 21, 22 and 23: http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/public_consult/lrt/ns/stage_3/index_en.shtml
• Cost of expansion of Light Rail in Ottawa will be shared equally by federal, provincial and municipal governments – each will pay one third of $724 million.
• There will be a new bridge over the Rideau River just north of Manotick, it should include lanes for cars as well as tracks for trains.
• There will be a rail station at Walkley Road, it should be a multi-functional structure that would provide for shops and businesses.
• We have to build light rail to provide relief to the transportation crisis that we have right now.

Gisèle Loiselle-Branch: Many of the roads in our community have developed pot-holes over the course of the winter.

Maria McRae: There will be a big program to resurface the roads in the spring, including Uplands Drive, McCarthy Road, and Plante Drive. She voted in favour of the City budget including the plan to hire 20 new paramedics. She continues to look for ways to run the City more efficiently. For example the Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre is run on a fee-for-service basis, this should be the model for other community centres. The City will be celebrating its 150-year anniversary this year: http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/residents/ottawa_150/index_en.shtml. As part of this celebration the Hunt Club Community Organization will be given a tree. We have to decide where to plant it by April 8. Also we are asked to contribute half a page to a scrap book that will be put in a time capsule. Once again this year, the City will host the Tulip Festival: http://www.tulipfestival.ca/

Patrick Richter is impressed with the improvements to the OC Transpo Routes, especially Route 87.

Fred McLennan: What conditions will be required to change the zoning near Hunt Club Place?

There was a general discussion regarding the application for rezoning, the property lots and the small stream in the area. Maria McRae said that she would actively follow developments.

Next meeting: Mon 4 Apr 2005 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director
• Shelley Parlow, Director
• Patrick Richter (Southern Corridor and website) Director (memberships)
• Fred Winter
• Kiel Edge

Motion: To invite Erwin Dreessen to present his proposal on the Poet’s Pathway in the Southern Corridor. Moved by Patrick Richter, seconded by Shelley Parlow. carried.

Motion: The HCCO does not object to the Iogen proposal for a three-story building at the Iogen site as long as there is no access from Hunt Club Road. Moved by Alan Asselstine, seconded by Peter Brimacombe. carried.

Motion: To switch our account to the CS Co-op. Peter Brimacombe and Fred Winters are already members of the CS Co-op, they will be given signing authority. Moved by Alan Asselstine, seconded by Patrick Richter. carried.

Peter Brimacombe: Lack of development in the Southern Corridor forces development to the outskirts of the City. Development on the outskirts is the lowest density, it is the most expensive to service, it is the most expensive in terms of energy use, it provides no opportunity for efficient public transit, it disrupts the environment over the largest area and it intrudes into agricultural land. The City has written a report “Where will we live?” http://ottawa.ca/city_services/planningzoning/facts/where_we_live/index_en.shtml.

Figure 3 allocates 48,000 new units to the South Urban/ Leitrim area. The report confirms that this development would be the lowest density development (25 units/hectare) and that 30% of the land would be used for roads and other infrastructure. Low density means that the South Urban/Leitrim development would be very expensive to service, it would provide no opportunity for effiicient public transit and it would disrupt the environment over a wide area. The fact that it is on the outskirts means that it would further inclusions into agricultural land.

Patrick Richter: But if the Southern Corridor were developed wouldn’t that reduce the natural areas and increase pollution in our neighbourhood?

Alan Asselstine: It is a question of how you build, you can build the houses side-by-side or you can build them one-on-top-of-another. The one-on-top-of-another is the most efficient and will provide the minimum impact on the environment.

Fred Winters: I like the trees in the Southern Corridor. There is rapid expansion on the outskirts of the City right now.

Peter Brimacombe: 48,000 new units in South Ottawa/Leitrim would destroy wetlands and other natural areas, it is more costly, it is a cost we cannot afford.

Shelley Parlow: There is a clear majority against development in the Southern Corridor.

Gisèle Loiselle-Branch: High density threatens surrounding natural spaces because some people would throw their garbage there.

Gisèle Loiselle-Branch: There needs to be more parking on Twyford on the side opposite the fire station. The units in the Sequoia Co-op have one parking spot each but many families have two cars. The City should give permission to pave the strip beside the road to provide more parking spaces. There is the road, beside the road a sidewalk and beside the sidewalk the strip of land.

Pat Murphy: The Sequoia Co-op would have to ask the City for a change in the site plan. She will investigate.

Shelley Parlow: The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has invited interested parties to be present at a meeting Monday February 28 at 10:00 to hear the NCC appeal of the City Official Plan. The NCC is appealing zoning that restricts development in the Southern Corridor. Patrick Richter said that he would attend.

Fred McLennan: The Hunt and Golf Club has applied to change the zoning of three lots on Hunt Club Place from residential to leisure. The application is opposed by Mr. Greg Capello who owns lots on Hunt Club Place. Hunt Club Place is on the north side of Hunt Club Road across from the BMW Dealership. The Planning Committe will hear this on March 22.

Fred McLennan: The Airport Authority has proposed to build a three story office building at the Iogen Site.

Fred McLennan: There will be public meetings to discuss Ward Boundaries. http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/ward/ward_5_en.shtml

Alan Asselstine: The principle is one person one vote. It should be respected.

Alan Asselstine: The HCCO has its bank account at the Scotia Bank in the A&P Plaza. The Scotia Bank is charging $9 a month. He recommends moving the account to the CS Co-op, there will be a one-time fee of $15 and then $0.60 a cheque.

Next meeting: Mon 7 Mar 2005 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director
• Shelley Parlow, Director
• Patrick Richter (Southern Corridor and website) Director (memberships)
• Tom Collins, The News

Motion: The City should evaluate its policy on snow removal on sidewalks in the whole City. Criteria should be based on use such as the amount of pedestrian traffic, whether the sidewalk is along a bus route or a hospital. Moved by Alan Asselstine, seconded by Patrick Richter, carried.

Motion: The Hunt Club Community Organization should become a member of the Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa-Carleton (FCA) (http://ato.smartcapital.ca/fca/), cost is $30. Moved by Alan Asselstine, seconded by Shelley Parlow, carried. Alan pointed out that to be an active member we have to attend the meetings.

Motion: The Hunt Club Community Organization should become a member of Greenspace Alliance (http://www.flora.org/greenspace/), cost is $20. Moved by Shelley Parlow, seconded by Patrick Richter, carried.

Peter Brimacombe restated the Southern Corridor proposal: The Southern Corridor is described in the Hunt Club Draft Neighbourhood Plan, October 1998. The proposal would protect most of the Southern Corridor but would allow development next to existing development. The protected area comprises McCarthy Woods and most of the area to the west, it runs south of the Ontario Hydro Corridor and extends almost to Riverside Drive. The part to be developed is south of the protected part and is adjacent to existing development. The protected area including McCarthy Woods would be designated as an Urban Natural Feature, it would provide a continuous corridor for wild life.

Shelley Parlow: access to the Urban Natural Feature would be through the part to be developed. A culvert could enclose the little creek near Gillespie.

Alan Asselstine: The existing CNR railway could be used for the O Train but the root problem with public transit in Ottawa is the downtown congestion along Albert and Slater Streets. Public transit is a basic.

Fred McLennan: There will be a public consultation on the budget at the Jim Durrell Centre on January 18: http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/inside_govt/budget/budget_2005/p_consultations_2_en.shtml

Gisèle Loiselle-Branch will hand over the membership duties to Patrick Richter.

Next meeting: Mon 7 Feb 2005 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Shelley Parlow
• Patrick Richter (Southern Corridor and website)
• Bob Jeckells (Hunt Club Community Services Centre)
• Ezio Subissati
• Mike Seaby
• Tom Collins, The News
• Bonnie Conlon, City ouncillor’s office
• Maria McRae, City councillor

Motion: To support in principal, Maria’s efforts to maintain a 0% increase in municipal taxes or keep increases to a minimum. Moved by Alan Asselstine, seconded by Patrick Richter. Carried.

Motion: To accept the Board of Directors as proposed. Moved by Shelley Parlow, seconded by Patrick Richter. Carried.

Maria McRae:

• On October 23 the Quickie was held up at knife-point! This is the second robbery in the neighbourhood in 6 weeks. Maria has discussed these two robberies with Superintendent Charles Bordeleau of the Ottawa Police. Ther e was an on-going problem with marijuana use in Cahill Park over the summer. Maria has organized a Town Hall Meeting, Wednesday November 3 to discuss community safety.
• thanked the Hunt Club Community Organization for its letter June 28, 2004 in which it expressed its opposition to development in the Southern Corridor. She strongly opposes the NCC appeal to the zoning amendment adopted by the City. She would like a permanent solution.
• Sawmill Creek Constructed Wetland: On September 16, Maria was at the official start of construction. The Constructed Wetland will reduce erosion of Sawmill Creek, reduce runoff into the Rideau River and provide better flood control.
• Budget: One group within City Council has proposed a 4.4% increase in the City’s budget but there are many other demands which would require a bigger increase. Maria is opposed to this increase. Homeowners would see a rise in assess ed value multiplied by an increase in taxes. In order to balance its budget, the City would need $78 million in savings – this is impossible! The City has created a group of 6 councillors and 20 citizens to look for ways to run the City more efficiently , the group is called Tax Fighters. Public consultations on the budget start in January.

Patrick Richter is concerned about cuts to OC Transpo. It took him 3 hours to get to Barhaven, including a 20 minute walk. He had a regular bus pass but had to pay extra.

Nancy Seaby: Don’t cut back public transit in growth areas or residents will be forced to use private automobiles.

Peter Brimacombe: We just cannot afford urban sprawl. Development in the Southern Corridor is the only obvious way to build energy-efficient housing and provide efficient public transit systems.

Gisèle Loiselle-Branch is against development in the Southern Corridor. We don’t need more housing because existing housing will be available as the owners get older and move out.

Maria McRae: The Southern Corridor is part of the Greenspace Master Plan; there will be public consultations. There are important wetlands in the Southern Corridor near McCarthy Road and to the east.

Alan Asselstine: On November 16, the Advisory Committee will meet to review North-South extension of the O Train.

Ezio Subissati: In the private sector, increases in productivity are expected to balance increases in inflation. The City should expect the same.

Maria McRae: Municipal spending is different than consumer spending: 68% of costs are tied to labour which are tied to collective agreements. We have to look for common-sense efficiencies: the needle exchange program is an effective way to prevent the spread of hepatitis but we don’t need a special van to run the program. We should look for efficiencies in our ParaMedic Service: because of SARS, calls for heart attacks were reduced from 17,000 to 9,000. We are draining our capital reserves, they aren’t adequate to maintain our infrastructure. Staff in the Planning Department is burning out; when people leave, they take with them the knowledge gained through years of experience. She was opposed to the construction of the new $7 million library in Greenboro.

Nancy Seaby: The library now provides access to the internet, some people go to the library just to look at pornography on the internet! On another issue, the new bus shelters are funded by private companies: They put up advertising in the bus shelters and pay a fee to OC Transpo.

Robert Jackells is on the Board of Directors of the Community Services Centre. http://www.huntclubriverside.ca/indexe.html The Centre needs to expand to run its programs. There are programs for single parents and immigrants. There should be a swimming pool and a library kiosk. The Centre is looking for $7.5 million to expand the existing Hunt Club/Riverside Park Community Centre. It wants to raise money and will get matching grants from the Federal and Provincial Governments. Robert thanked the Hunt Club Community Organization for its $200 donation to Camp Spirit. The money was used to send children on a field trip to Upper Canada Village.

Alan Asselstine provided a Statement of Revenue and Expenses. Expenses exceeded revenue by $129.70. There were assets of $8,191.58.

Fred McLennan proposed members of the Board for the coming year:

• Fred McLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Nancy Seaby, Transportation and Editorial
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch
• Shelley Parlow
• Patrick Richter
• Art Miskew
• Fred Winters

Nancy Seaby: The library now provides access to the internet, some people go to the library just to look at pornography on the internet! On another issue, the new bus shelters are funded by private companies: They put up advertising in the bus shelters and pay a fee to OC Transpo.

Next meeting: Mon 6 Dec 2004 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Shelley Parlow
• Fred Winters
• Carole Ladouceur
• Jim Bemi (Bemi Bemi & Associates, Architects)
• Rev. Takashi Gato (Church of Perfect Liberty)
• Jean-Luc Daoust (Church of Perfect Liberty)
• Alex Ono (Church of Perfect Liberty)
• Wayne Freetag
• Tom Keogh (Perkeo Developments)
• Patricia Murphy (Councillor’s Office)

Fred McLennan: There is a proposal to build a church at 1008-1016 Hunt Club Road, located on the south side of Hunt Club, west of the Airport Parkway and east of Downpatrick.

Tom Keogh: The developers are asking for a rezoning from residential to institutional. The church will accommodate 100-170 people. The existing houses will be torn down and a new building will be built: there will be three parts: the main structure for traditional services, a general meeting area and the residence for Rev. Takashi Gato.

Rev. Takashi Gato explained that the Church of Perfect Liberty is multilingual and non-denominational: http://www.perfectliberty.org. There was a concensus that the new development would not cause traffic problems and that it should fit well into the community.

Nancy Seaby: A number of bus shelters have been replaced with a new design. Nancy will investigate.

Gisèle Loiselle-Branch: A 17-year old girl was raped along McCarthy Road near the train tracks.

Patricia Murphy: The Ottawa Police are investigating. Sgt. Jill Skinner is the officier in charge.

Fred McLennan asked who could represent the Hunt Club Community Organization at the Open House on Tuesday. Peter Brimacombe volunteered.

Next meeting: Mon 1 Nov 2004 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Art Miskew, Vice-President
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Shelley Parlow
• Patrick Richter (Southern Corridor)
• Fred Winters
• Patricia Murphy
• Maria McRae, City councillor
• Angela McLean (Councillor’s Office)
• Bonnie Conlon (Councillor’s Office)
• Paula Franchellini, The News

Motion: To give $200.00 to the Community Resource Centre to bus children to a day camp. Moved by Peter Brimacombe, seconded by Fred Winters, carried.

Motion: To appoint Patrick Richter to the Board of the Hunt Club Community Organization. Moved by Shelley Parlow, seconded by Fred Winters, carried.

Fred McLennan: The Community Resource Centre asked the Hunt Club Community Organization for $200.00 to bus children to a day camp.

Peter Brimacombe: We should grant the request because of the long standing relationship between the two organizations.

Fred McLennan asked Patrick Richter to contact Peter Vasdi about improvements to our web site.

Peter Brimacombe: The Provincial Government has proposed a new Provincial Policy Statement: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_17433_1.html The Provincial Policy Statement sets the goals and directions for land planning within the Province. Instead of “having regard for” the goals and directions, municipalities must “be consistent with” them. These goals are to protect agricultural land, to develop efficient public transit systems, to provide energy efficient buildings and to provide for a growing population. Development of the Southern Corridor advances these goals.

Art Miskew: There has been a lot of development in Riverside South and in other areas such as Barrhaven. What prompted the latest petition that opposes development?

Patrick Richter: Maria McRae found out that the National Capital Commission (NCC) was actively interested in developing the Southern Corridor west of McCarthy Woods. She wrote an article that appeared in the March 2004 edition of the News. This article prompted Patrick and Shelley to petition against development.

Maria McRae: The petition gives her extra leverage with the NCC. She met with the Chairman of the NCC, Marcel Beaudry to explain that the community opposes development in the Southern Corridor.

Art Miskew: met with Ken Morrison who is doing a Master’s thesis at Carleton University. His thesis is concerned with the proposed light rail expansion in Ottawa. He asked Art for help in developing a questionnaire to be given to the municipal politicians. Art said that the O Train is always on time but the bus schedules are not coordinated with the train. Concerning public transit in general, the biggest bottlenecks are Albert and Slater Streets – there is a huge volume of buses and they are forced to go slowly because of traffic.

Patrick Richter: The cutbacks in OC Transpo service have restricted the hours he can work! He is worried about a strike at OC Transpo.

Gisèle Loiselle-Branch is concerned that visitors to homes in Centralla (the Minto development on McCarthy Road) park their cars on Twyford and visitors to her building have no place to park their cars.

Maria McRea promised to look into how the parking policies are enforced on Twyford. Three hour parking is allowed on most streets in the City but after November 1st, parking enforcement is tougher because of snow removal. There still is heavy construction equipment on the streets in Centralla. Construction should soon be completed and when the construction equipment leaves, the parking situation should improve.

Maria McRea announced that there will be a public sod-turning ceremony beside the Airport Parkway south of Walkley Road to signal the start of the Constructed Watershed. The ceremony will take place at 13:30 on September 20, 2004. The Constructed Watershed will reduce erosion, improve the water quality and reduce the flood risk along Saw Mill Creek. The former Councillor Wendy Stewart was instrumental in identifying the funds needed for construction.

Maria McRea: This summer there were problems with drug-use and a pit-bull in Cahill Park which is located at the corner of Cahill and Twyford. Because of the extra efforts of the Ottawa Police in patrolling the Park, drug-use in the Park was dramatically reduced. The Ottawa Police and the by-law enforcement officers of the City worked together to address the pit-bull. The owner was given a summons and he got rid of the dog.

Maria McRea: Residents of Hunt Club/ Riverside Park have one of highest rates of contribution to the Organic Waste Collection. The Organic Waste Collection reduces the amount of waste dumped in land-fill sites and improves the environment. We all have to do our part! There was no Leaf and Yard Waste Collection this summer but there should have been.

Maria McRea: There will be two open houses: Oct 5 at the Hunt Club/Riverside Park Community Centre and on October 21 at the Alexander Community Centre on Carlington. The Community Resource Centre, the Police and other City organizations will be there to explain their services. There will be a public consultation on the Budget on October 7, 2004 at the Jim Durrell Centre on Walkley Road.

Next meeting: Mon 4 Oct 2004 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Shelley Parlow
• Mark Mongeau
• Nancy Kelly
• Carol Evoy
• Judy Cleveland
• Sarah McCormack
• Ken Trudel
• Lillian Trudel
• Patrick Richter (Southern Corridor)
• Andrey Skrzypek
• Jarmila Severka
• Manju Agarwal
• Roop Agarwal
• Neil Stout
• Jennifer Radley
• Jarmila Logan
• Richard Logan
• Larry Malloy
• Joan Hearn
• Richard Renaud
• Valeri Smirnov
• Natalia Smirnova
• Barbara Horger
• Christina Horger
• Céline Melanson
• Maria Fitzpatrick
• Brian MacAdam
• Alan Riddell (Conservative candidate for Ottawa South)
• Maria McRae, City councillor
• Tom Collins, The News

Motion: Mark Mongeau motioned that the following statement be adopted by the Hunt Club Community Organization to address the three levels of government: “We support the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan land designations for Parcels 3 and 4 of the South ern Corridor. This is the southernmost portion of the large green space located between Riverside Drive and McCarthy Woods ( 25 hectares) and between the Woods and the Airport Parkway (12 hectares). This vast natural area lies between two neighbourhood s, Hunt Club Woods and Riverside Park. The parcels in question are currently designated Major Open Space. We oppose development of this land and wish to preserve the area’s natural beauty for recreational purposes”. Seconded by Maria Fitzpatrick. Votes: for 26, against 1. Carried.

City Councillor, Maria McRae, reported on the following:

• Sawmill Creek Subwatershed Project
• Summer festivals
• Open house
• Southern Corridor
• New ice rinks
• Victoria Day fireworks
• Regrets for being late for HCCO meeting
• Office open all summer

Fred McLennan: Introduced discussion on the Southern Corridor.

Shelley Parlow represents a group that wants to preserve the Southern Corridor. The City has restricted development in parts of the Southern Corridor but the NCC is appealing the City’s Official Plan.

Maria McRae, the City Councillor has asked that the Hunt Club Community Organization express its position.

Patrick Richter collected 2000 signatures on a petition supporting the City’s Official Plan. He told the people who signed the petition that they could not all attend the monthly meeting because there was only limited space. He wants the Southern Corridor to be protected permanently.

Maria Fitzpatrick lives on Rhapsody Lane. She wants to preserve the Southern Corridor because it is important to preserve the ecology, to preserve the oxygen-producing capacity of the plant life and to preserve the value of her prop erty. She asks “What is wrong with urban sprawl?”

Brian MacAdam likes to walk his dog in the Southern Corridor. He has visited Hong Kong and doesn’t like it because it is too crowded. He thinks there is nothing wrong with urban sprawl.

Alan Riddell, Conservative candidate for Ottawa South wants a more open NCC and wants to make it harder to develop open space.

Sarah McCormack: we don’t have enough space, we need more space. There is a problem with urban sprawl but we in Hunt Club have done our part. Our grandchildren will suffer if we lose the Southern Corridor. Why do we have to settle for its loss?

Carol Evoy lives in the Coady Residence. Urban sprawl is a problem but we absolutely love the Southern Corridor just the way it is!

Rick Logan just came back from Asia where there is huge congestion and crowding. We should demand that the green space be preserved even though it may look self serving.

Joan Hearn lives on Gillespie Crescent: We should be stopping urban sprawl but in order to make any significant difference to the City, the Southern Corridor would have to be developed intensively. Since she does not want intensive development she is against any.

Peter Brimacombe is in favour of development because it is the only way to stop urban sprawl. Urban sprawl in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has consumed a good part of the best agricultural land in Canada. It is this loss that our grandchildren will feel. Restricted development in the Southern Corridor makes it harder and less likely to achieve four important goals:

• protection of agricultural land
• development of an efficient public transit system
• energy conservation
• provision for a growing population

Next meeting: Mon 13 Sep 2004 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Alan Asselstine, Treasurer
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Shelley Parlow
• Maria McRae, City councillor
• Tom Collins, The News

Motion: To nominate Shelley Parlow as director. Moved by Nancy Seaby; seconded by Gisèle Loiselle-Branch. Carried.

Nancy Seaby: Service cuts to local bus routes have been approved: 86, 87 and 146. The cuts were not adequately advertised and riders are going to discover them at the bus stops. The cuts were approved in spite of the growth of the community: Quintera, Rhapsody Lane and Centralla. Hunt Club Enclave is a small development just off Hunt Club Road, houses are built on soil that is unsuitable, it’s a disaster.

Shelley Parlow: The City has proposed zoning restrictions to development in the Southern Corridor. Shelley represents a group of residents that support this restriction. The property owner: the National Capital Commission ( NCC) has appealed the zoning to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), she is afraid that the OMB will side with the NCC.

Maria McRae: She supports the City’s position, Denis Jacobs works for Planning and Development Services, he is responsible for the file. The Southern Corridor is a Federal issue, Shelley should look for support from John Manley the Member of Parliament(MP) for our Riding.

Peter Brimacombe: Over the next 20 years, there will be 400,000 more people in the City, we must provide for them. Development of the Southern Corridor is needed to provide them with housing; It is the most economically, environmentally and socially responsible thing to do.

Alan Asselstine: More people need more housing: the best thing is to build more compact housing close to the City centre. For example the Central Experimental Farm adds extra cost to all housing south of it because it costs more to extend services past the Central Experimental Farm: roads, water, hydro lines and sewers. Alan has been working on the Sawmill Creek Watershed Plan: There is a plan to build constructed wetlands east of the Airport Parkway. Phase I is to build wetlands at the north end and Phase II is to build wetlands further south opposite South Keys. Phase II needs support from the community.

Maria McRae: There will be a public consultation meeting on the Sawmill Creek Watershed Plan in June. Be there!

Fred Mclennan: There is a proposal to expand light rail by adding a north-south corridor. This proposal will be discussed on May 12, Colonel By Room, 2nd floor, Ottawa City Hall.

There was a general discussion: the O Train is too expensive and its routes are largely irrelevant. The $40 million cost would be better spent supporting the existing bus service.

Alan Asselstine: The problem with the rapid transit lines is that movement through downtown is too slow and too congested.

Next meeting: Mon 7 Jun 2004 at 7:30pm

Attendees:

• Fred MacLennan, President
• Peter Brimacombe, Secretary
• Gisèle Loiselle-Branch, Director (memberships)
• Nancy Seaby, Director (transportation and editorial)
• Shelley Parlow
• Sarah Cousineau, City councillors office
• Tom Collins, The News

Sarah Cousineau: Maria McRae is averaging 300 to 400 emails a day concerning the budget. Of 12,500 City positions, 750 positions have been cut and 250 persons have been laid off. Under the proposed budget, the collection of leaf and yard waste will be cut. There will be significant cuts to OC Transpo, cuts to the Police and Fire Departments, cuts to Youth Services, cuts to services to people with disabilities and the elimination of the Adult Crossing Guard Program. These cuts are made after cost savings gained by the amalgamation of the City. The proposed budget was presented based on a 0% increase in the mill rate. The actual property tax is determined by two factors: the assessment which matches the market value and by the mill rate. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation determines the assessment and the City of Ottawa determines the mill rate. For example, if a property owner had a 12% increase in his assessment, even though the mill rate stayed the same, he would have a 12% increase in his taxes. The mayor and several City Councillors are considering a tax increase in the neighbourhood of 3%. Maria is not a part of this group as she feels that a tax increase is not necessary if the funds can be found elsewhere within the corporation of the City of Ottawa.

Shelley Parlow: The City is not effectively monitoring the environment, it should be watching to make sure nobody cuts down trees and it’s not; it should be cleaning up the graffiti, and it’s not.

Nancy Seaby: There will be cuts in the frequency of local bus routes: 1, 87, and 146.

Fred McLennan: There has been a shift of $23 million in taxes from business to residential because there is a cap on the increase of taxes on businesses but because all taxes have remained the same the City is forced to cut services because of inflation. There is a proposal to build 92 units south of Hunt Club, near the Red Pines, behind the BMW Dealership, the development is called Emerald Links.

Shelley Parlow is a member of the Greenspace Alliance which is dedicated to keeping natural green spaces in the City. She is very much opposed to development of the Southern Corridor, it is for her “a line in the sand”. There is a petition which opposes development of the Southern Corridor.

Peter Brimacombe: The Southern Corridor needs to be developed to provide housing. Development would allow a more compact and efficient City.

Next meeting: Tue 6 Apr 2004 at 7:30pm