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1. Update - Waterfront Open Space in Northwest Southern Corridor

On September 29^th I appeared before Planning Committee at the City of Ottawa to strongly oppose one element of the Riverside Park Neighbourhood Plan, namely the re-zoning of the NCC lands south of the Hydro corridor and west of Riverside Drive. This parcel is currently zoned Waterway Corridor (by the City) and the proposed change was to a Leisure Linkage subzone where an additional non-conforming use (community centre) was to be permitted.

City staff was advised, in writing, of the Region's concern that the proposed re-zoning was not in conformity with the Regional Official Plan on 5 different occasions. A Regional Planner also attended the meeting and advised that it would not be appropriate to rezone the property to L2, as this would relinquish control of the scale of future development, among other things.

I am pleased to report that the Committee deleted the L2 Leisure Linkage Zoning provisions and will retain the current EW - Waterway Corridor zoning for the entire parcel. Unfortunately, City Councillors also decided to add a "temporary " sub-zone designation - a move the Region will appeal to the OMB, as promised.

2. Update - Walkley Road Truck Route Revocation

During consideration of the staff report on the status of Walkley Road as a truck route, the Transportation Committee approved the following Motion:

That the Transportation Committee refer this item to staff for consideration

with the local business community and to study the repercussion on other

communities.

Another report, dealing with these impacts will be presented in the next month or two. As soon as more information is available I will let you know.

3. Replacement of the Alta Vista Elevated Water Storage Tank

A study to replace the 46 year old Alta Vista elevated storage tank is underway, with several new sites being considered throughout south-east Ottawa, with one in the Hunt Club Community (Ottawa-Carleton District School Board site on McCarthy Road, recently declared surplus).

The tank services a zone that extends east from the Rideau River to Highway 417, and south from Smyth Road to Lester Road. In identifying potential sites, key factors being considered are height of land, property size, and proximity to existing major trunk watermains and potential environmental impacts.

Now is the time for local residents and businesses to provide comments on the proposed evaluation criteria which will be used to screen potential sites. The location of the tank must address not just technical, but also community concerns.

Watch for notices in the Hunt Club Riverside News, Ottawa Sun and Citizen, or call my office for more information.

4. Transit Passes from Employers - Tax Exempt Benefit

Three representatives from OC Transpo appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance to ask that the federal government reconsider its refusal to allow Canadians to receive public transit passes from their employers as a tax-exempt benefit.

A national task force comprised of Pollution Probe, the Ontario Lung Association, the Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council and the Canadian Labour Congress joined them in this lobbying effort. US research shows that this policy change could produce a five percent shift to public transit that could, in turn, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion, infrastructure costs, environmental damage and pollution related illnesses.

5. Information - Non-Police Personnel to Enforce Red Light Running

In response to community and police concerns, in July Regional Council again requested the provincial government to allow red-light cameras for use at intersections. The Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services undertook a review of their position and have since notified the Region that their position is unchanged. (They believe that the most effective way to ensure that drivers running red lights are caught is through police enforcement, and that the assignment of fines and accumulation of demerit points which result in higher insurance rates serve as strong deterrents.)

Faced with limited police resources Council has also requested investigation of non-police traffic enforcement to deal with growing public concern about aggressive driving behaviour. At present, municipalities have no legislative authority to appoint officers to enforce the Highway Traffic Act.

The provincial government has recently stated that it is establishing a dedicated fund for the hiring of police officers for traffic enforcement. Announced in concert with Bill 26, the Highway Traffic Act Amendment Act (Community Safety Zones), 1998 the province will make funds available to interested municipalities for increased traffic policing. The community safety package also introduces a plan to more than double the fines for red and amber light running. Proposed amendments will also give municipalities the power to establish special community safety zones where fines for driving infractions will be doubled. Prominent roadside signs will let drivers know when they are entering or leaving these specially designated zones, which may include school zones and crossings, roadways near children's parks and day care centres or problem intersections.

6. Information - Absence from HCCO A.G.M., October 19, 1998

Please accept my regrets at being unable to attend this year's annual general meeting of the community association. Unfortunately, on that date, in my capacity as Chair of Conservation Ontario, I will be hosting the 5^th Annual A.D. Latornell Symposium in the Nottawasaga Valley. This year's theme "Land, Water, Climate", will provide opportunities to learn about climate change from global to watershed perspectives.