Report to River Ward Community Associations
March 2001
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New
Dates for Budget Deliberations
Now that the province has set the amount it will help
with the cost of transition at $108.5 million, the new City can get on with its
budget process.
On February 28th, Council directed that a
freeze in the taxation requirement be achieved for 2001 - without tapping into
reserve funding by investigating one-time funding opportunities. Service levels will remain at 2000
levels. We have asked that
consideration be given to harmonizing tax rates as well as special area rating
for differential service levels. Staff
will also develop recommendations regarding phasing.
The dates published in my last newsletter have
changed: The 2001 Operating Budget will
now be considered from March 1-21, at which time Standing Committees will
commence their reviews. It will go to
Council for adoption on April 25th.
The 2001 Capital Budget will be tabled on March 20th, with
consultation lasting until April 16th, followed by Committee review
throughout April and adoption by Council on May 9th.
Audit
Function at the new City
Council has recognized the critical activity of the
Auditor in assisting Council in fulfilling its role of oversight on behalf of
its constituents. The City Auditor will
report directly to Council through the Audit Committee - a process which is
independent, accurate, transparent and objective. Audit Committee will retain authority to recommend to Council
the budget of the Audit Office, as well as the appointment or dismissal of the
senior Audit Executive.
Administrative
reporting of the Audit and Consulting Services Group will be within the office
of the City Manager to ensure the group’s full access to information and
authority to find and implement improvements in efficiency and effectiveness
within the organization. Council
expects the Office will receive full cooperation of senior management and will
in turn strive to work with senior management in achieving its goals as
approved by Council.
935
Cahill Dr. West (McCarthy/Cahill site) Development
Minto has made a conditional offer to purchase this site
from the Ottawa District School Board, and has applied to the City to rezone
the area to allow a residential mix of single family homes and townhomes.
Following a public information meeting, Minto has revised their plans to – in
their estimation – address concerns raised by local residents.
Specifically, Minto has proposed:
These changes mean the total
number of lots fronting onto McCarthy Road and Cahill Drive were reduced from
40 to 32. Fifteen of the 32 lots have double-car garages.
While I think these changes are a step in the right
direction, I do not believe they meet community expectations. The number of
lots facing both McCarthy and Cahill is still not reflective of the existing
neighbourhood, and that is one concern I have heard echoed consistently.
Safety must also be considered. I have heard numerous requests for something to be done to
address the crossing concerns at the McCarthy/Cahill intersection.
There are also questions regarding parkland allocation.
City staff has determined it is appropriate that cash-in-lieu of parkland be
accepted as part of this development proposal.
In my opinion, this would be an option as long as the money is used for
expanding the Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre, which is bursting at the
seams. This development won’t provide all of that funding, but it is a step.
Thanks to all residents who took the time to submit
comments to both my office, and city planner Cheryl Brouillard. Your ideas and
concerns will be taken into account as this proposal is considered. It has been
targeted to go to Planning Committee in May.
City’s
Role in New Home Construction Process
With the construction boom locally, city inspectors are
busy with the requisite site visits, inspecting such things as excavations,
foundations, framing, insulation and vapour barriers, ductwork, piping, heating
and air-conditioning systems, plumbing fixtures,
venting systems, and so
on. Each inspection ensures new homes
are built to regulations stipulated in the Ontario Building Code. Should a deficiency be found, the builder is
notified and requested to make corrections, which may necessitate subsequent
site inspections. Fire Code
requirements are also addressed during this process. Should new home purchasers have any outstanding issues in terms
of Building Code regulations, staff in the City’s Building Services Branch will
be able to offer assistance and can be reached by calling 244-5300.
Before the new homeowner can move in, the builder must
secure an Occupancy Permit from the city – which assures buyers that the
premises complies with requirements of the Ontario Building Code. Once the Occupancy Permit has been issued
the City’s role comes to an end and the Ontario New Home Warranty Program
(ONHWP) comes into effect. This program
provides a safeguard for buyers against construction defects, among other
things. There is a limited time to have
concerns addressed, and problems should be provided in writing to the ONHWP
office. Things like nail pops,
improperly finished mouldings could be the subject of claims. The Eastern Ontario branch for the ONHWP is
located at 1600 Scott St., Suite 400, Ottawa ON. The phone # is 724-4882; FAX 724-3669.
Notice
of Study Commencement – Walkley Ramp
In late February newspapers carried notice of the
commencement of the Class Environmental Assessment for the Airport Parkway/Walkley
Road interchange. This new intersection
will provide a southbound Airport Parkway off-ramp for vehicular access to
Walkley Road in both directions.
Public comment is invited to assist City of Ottawa staff
in the development, planning and design of this project. The deadline to submit comments is March 26th. Based on the review of these comments and
the necessary approval process, this project is scheduled to be completed by
the fall of 2001. For further
information on this project, please contact Neil Stout, Project Manager at
580-2424 ext 21289.
OC
Transpo – January Ridership and Revenues
January 2001 ridership was 9.4% higher than January
2000. Pass ridership was 11.6% higher
while cash/ticket/daypass ridership increased by 4.5%. It is encouraging to note that the majority
of the increase has emanated from committed riders instead of casual
riders. These numbers also account for
a 17.1% increase in adult pass sales, reflecting the significant increase in
employment during the past year and sharp increase in gas prices.
January 2001 revenues are 5% or $396,500 above budget
(budget based on the actual 2000 revenues and ridership).
There is more good news regarding Ecopass. The payroll deduction passes that were
introduced a year ago have brought in more than a million dollars in revenue in
the first year, with 20 companies participating by the end of this month.
Para Transpo is OC Transpo’s door-to-door transportation
service for people whose physical disabilities prevent them from using regular
transit service. It has been running
since 1974, under a private operator under contract to the former Transit
Commission. There are now 86 wheelchair
accessible vehicles and a fleet of 67 full-size four-door sedans. The contractor is responsible for the
acquisition of most vehicles, their maintenance, the provision of drivers and
their management. Passenger
eligibility, service reservations, trip assignments and the management of the
contract is the responsibility of OC Transpo’s 30 Para Transpo staff.
The former Regional Council had directed that an in-depth
analysis of financial, physical and personnel resources be prepared in advance
of the expiry of the Para Transpo service contracts (June 2002) – which will be
available for review in May of this year.
Also in May, a separate report will be released that will include
estimates of demand over the next 10 years for accessible transportation, an
overview of existing community resources used to provide transportation for persons
with disabilities, and recommended operational solutions within a demand
management framework. The report will
also contain recommendations on eligibility criteria, the registration process
for Para Transpo and alternate service delivery methods.
These two reports will provide a direction for Council as
it considers the future service delivery model for Para Transpo services. Please let me know if you would like more
information when these reports are available.
New Responsibility in Ottawa Housing Corporation
As a result of new provincial legislation, administration
of social housing has been assumed by municipal governments in Ontario, as well
as its funding. The City is now sole
owner and shareholder of the former Ottawa-Carleton Housing Corporation, now
known as Ottawa Housing Corporation.
Concurrently, the amalgamation of area municipalities has led to the new
city becoming sole owner and shareholder of City Living, the former city’s
non-profit housing corporation.
Together, these two housing corporations account for approximately 60%
(14,600 units) of all social housing stock in the City.
One of my new responsibilities as Councillor is on the
Board of the Ottawa Housing Corporation.
Within an annual budget of $35 million, the Corporation is responsible
for providing rent-geared-to-income shelter to low-income families and
individuals in Ottawa who live in 8,584 housing units (mostly apartments and
row houses). No new housing stock has
been built in over 20 years.
First
Annual Run/Walk for Clean Air
The Sierra Club of Canada (Ottawa Group), along with the
Greenspace Alliance of Canada’s Capital, Friends of The Farm and other local
environmental groups are organizing a special event to kick-off Canada’s
Environment Week for 2001. These groups
have already demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting greenspace, parks,
woodlands, wetlands and to building sustainable communities.
The
mission of the walk/run is to financially support environmental initiatives of
the groups involved and increase environmental awareness in the community.
The event is on June 3rd,
and will take place on the rolling hills of the Central Experimental Farm’s
Arboretum. More information on how to
participate will be available through the media at a later date. To become a sponsor, call George Wilson at
237-1320 ext 7551.
City
of Ottawa Awarded for Decreasing Greenhouse Gases
Natural Resources Canada has given a leadership award to
Ottawa for displaying extraordinary commitment, action, best practices and
leadership toward the voluntary reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Over the past few years, the City has
achieved a 19% reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions and an 18% reduction in
energy use in City facilities. One
example of estimated savings is seen in the use of energy efficient street
lighting systems - $268,000/year in maintenance costs and $360,000/year in
energy costs.
Greenhouse
gases are widely believed to contribute to global warming and climatic
changes. Ottawa is one of only 6
municipal governments in Canada that have developed and implemented a Community
Climate Change Action Plan.
Spring
Cleaning in the Capital Campaign
In an effort to encourage and support volunteers who wish
to help the City with its spring cleaning efforts, Ottawa’s 8th
Annual “Spring Cleaning the Capital Campaign” will be held from April 12 to May
13.
The City will provide clean-up supplies (while quantities
last) such as plastic bags, leaf and yard waste bags, vinyl gloves and helpful
tips to registered groups. If
requested, we will also pick up collected litter on city property resulting
from a registered clean-up. As an
incentive, each registration form and clean-up report submitted is eligible to
win prizes donated by our sponsors. Awards
will also be presented to groups, individuals, and businesses for participation
and leadership in beautification projects.
Promotional material for the Spring Clean-up Campaign
will be mailed to groups, associations and all schools, and will also be available
in community centres. Please let me
know if you would like more information as it becomes available.
The City-owned parcel of land located at the northwest
corner of Riverside Drive and Hunt Club Road is subject to a land exchange with
the abutting owner. This will allow a
local park to be constructed next to the Quinterra-Riverwood community, instead
of having an office tower between residences and their recreational parkland.
So far this year 15 parks have been adopted by groups who
have chosen to show their community pride by committing themselves to keeping
their park clean for a minimum of two years.
In total, 40 parks are now under local stewardship. For more information on this program, please
visit the City’s web site at:
www.city.ottawa.on.ca or call Paul McCann, Community Pride Program at
244-5300 ext 1-3363.
1.
Medical
Centre/Hyperbaric Chamber: Bank and
Vancouver: current status - A site plan to move the tank in order to meet
zoning and Fire Code requirements is under review, and a decision on the
relocation of the tank will be made shortly.
2.
2930 Albion Rd. Claridge Homes has submitted plans for a portion of
the former Heron-Walkley greenspace located south of Walkley Road after signing
a conditional purchase agreement with the NCC.
While the final number of units is still being determined, it is
expected to be less than the previously agreed to zoning allows, with a mix of
single-family dwellings and townhomes. A public information meeting to discuss
this proposal has been tentatively scheduled for March 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the
Jim Durrell Recreation Centre. Following the meeting, the community will be
able to submit their comments to planner Prescott McDonald.
3.
Central
Park/Ashcroft/Clyde Avenue Holdings:
1241 Clyde Ave. (former DOC lands); current status - The draft plan of subdivision
was appealed to the OMB. A dismissal hearing for the appeal is expected this
month. Council approved a zoning amendment application Feb. 28 that suggested
about 150 homes – ranging in density from singles to townhouses - on this
3.8-hectare site.
4.
300 Central Park Dr. Ashcroft-Clyde Avenue Holdings has submitted a Zoning
Amendment Application and Site Plan Control Proposal to the City for this site,
which fronts Merivale Road. Comments on both applications can be submitted to
planner Patrick Legault by March 16 and March 23 respectively. The proposal is
to rezone two high density residential zones and a leisure linkage zone that
surround an existing employment centre zone, to a single new employment centre
zoning. The site plan proposal would encompass all of the new employment centre
zone and would allow the construction of a high-rise apartment tower, an office
building and three freestanding retail/restaurant uses. A three-storey parking
structure would link the apartment building and office building.
5.
1280 Merivale Rd.
(Central Park near Caldwell): A Site
Plan Control Proposal has been submitted to the City suggesting 113 townhomes
with private roads for this 1.8-hectare site. A recent meeting was held between
representatives of the Central Park Citizens Group, planner Denis Charron and
myself to discuss concerns with density, on-street parking and snow storage.
Staff is not prepared to support this plan as it has been submitted, so changes
are likely. Comments can be submitted in writing to Mr. Charron by March 16.
6.
1172 Walkley Road: An
application was referred back to Planning Committee to permit an office or
residential development on this vacant site located along the south side of
Walkley Road and west of Bank Street. The item will be reconsidered March 8 and
then forwarded to Council for approval.
7. Moffatt Farm: As outlined earlier this year, NCC officials
have indicated an agreement was signed with DCR Phoenix for 50 acres of the
property in October, conditional on rezoning and an official plan amendment.
Once proposals have been filed, a full consultation process will begin. More
information when available.
8. McCarthy/Cahill
West Development – Please see page report on page 1.
9. 1132 Merivale Road: vacant lot at the corner of Merivale and
Mayview Avenue; current status - Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation has
applied to build 13 two, three and four-bedroom townhouses and stacked
townhouse rental units. No re-zoning is required. Planner Charles Lanktree will
review comments and draft a departmental recommendation.
Committee of Adjustment
Hearings
1. 94 and 157 Dorothea
Dr.
– The property owners had applied to subdivide their properties into two
separate parcels for the purpose of constructing homes on each new lot. The
committee’s decisions to dismiss these applications have been appealed by both
property owners to the Ontario Municipal Board. Hearing dates for those appeals
have not yet been set.
2. The Ottawa
Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority was granted a long-term lease
March 1 for property located at 366 Hunt Club Road at the corner of Royal
Route. The lease would be entered into with “Siljub Investments Ltd.” for the
purpose of constructing a hotel.
3. 895 Normandy Cres. – Polish Ursuline CJA Sisters is applying to convey a strip of land to property owners to the north at 1548 Prince of Wales Dr. A previous application was granted in 1997, but has since lapsed. The hearing date for this application is March 15 at 2:30 p.m. in the Old Ottawa City Hall, 111 Sussex Dr.