OTAG alleges 30% increase:
The City's financial records are audited each year (as each municipality does by law) by independent public accountants and are published each year. There is no evidence whatsoever to justify the allegation claiming that property taxes in Ottawa have gone up 30% since amalgamation - 2001 to 2008 property taxes increased by less than 2% on average per year or 15.9% overall.
Country Club Village & Hwy #7 Service Rd.:
“Just to advise you that the City has provided the Ministry of the Environment with a response to all of the issues raised in the Walker/McRae Part II Order request.
The Ministry advises that it treats the City response to the issues raised in the Part II Order request as confidential until such time as the Minister makes a decision on the matter, whereupon it becomes a matter of public record and accessible to all. The Minister's ruling is expected as early as the middle of February.” - Harry Beere
The residents of Country Club Village have been pressing both the City and the Province to complete about 800 m of service road. When completed, residents will save nearly 13 km in travel distance when driving into Ottawa.
As Councillor, I have worked closely with the former CCV president, George Newton and with Mark Seabrook, President & General Manager, Canadian Golf & Country Club in trying to bring this issue to a successful conclusion.
City of Toronto to appeal, “shall have regard to,” to the Ontario Supreme Court:
“I understand that the City of Toronto, who also lost their appeal to the Ontario Superior Court on the same interpretation "shall have regard to" is appealing to the Ontario Supreme court. Is there a possibility for the City of Ottawa to tag along with Toronto’s appeal? Is there anything we can do?” – David Young, President of MCA, Manotick
David, I have discussed the issue with our City solicitor, Mr. O'Connor. As of yet, no comment! However, Mr. O’Connor is contacting Toronto's solicitor for their process in moving their position forward. I certainly, will keep the community informed as information becomes available.
Dave Bartlett Park and Biathlon and Dogs:
Several weeks ago, I received an interesting proposal from Brian Schacht, a local resident proposing to establishing a biathlon club in Manotick. New technology has created a completely harmless, eye-safe laser, biathlon-training rifle. However, due to firearm restrictions, this harmless form of Olympic sport that he proposes is prohibited in Ottawa by firearms replica bylaw #2002-344.
As Councillor, I support those who want assurances that David Bartlett Park will remain an off-leash park for dogs.
“Brian is to provide the City with evidence that the proposed sport is safe and that the proposed use doesn’t impact on the off-leach use. Further, he is to provide the position of Provincial Sport Governing Body/Insurance.” – Linda Anderson, Bylaw
In the meantime, the City will familiarize itself with the whole issue and required infrastructure. As the local Councillor, I do not want to see a dog versus biathlon conflict.
Orgaworld starts taking organic waste:
Waste from Ottawa's green bins will no longer need to be shipped to other communities for processing. Orgaworld Canada, the company contracted to compost kitchen scraps and other organic waste from the city's green bin program, received its first shipment Thursday.
The plant was still under construction when the city's green bin program launched on Jan. 4. In the meantime, waste was shipped to facilities outside Ottawa.
Green Bin Weekly Results:
Week 1: 198 tonnes … Week 2: 317 tonnes … Week 3: 353 tonnes
Riverbend – Goulbourn:
The subject property, located at 8089 Franktown Road, is known as the Riverbend Golf Course and is located on the north side of Franktown Road between Munster Road to the east and Dwyer Hill Road to the west.
"I received [a notice] concerning Frank Chiarelli's plan to build a 26 lot subdivision on the Riverbend executive par portion of their course. If there is to be a new subdivision built on the executive par portion of the golf course right behind us, they should also have to pay a share of the Dowdall drain costs. Also, we should probably ask for an environmental assessment if Chiarelli's property is rezoned from "Parks and Open Space". I would not like our water supply to be affected. As well their proposed lot size of 0.8 hectares should be greatly increased. Otherwise eleven of our Heron Lake neighbours might well back onto a couple of new homes each." – Dave Western, president of Heron Lake Estates
The City of Ottawa - Planning and Growth Management department sends out notices of development applications to Community Associations that have registered for Public Notification. These notices are sent via Canada Post and published in local weekly newspapers like the Stittsville News.
Further, it should be noted that the plan of subdivision was submitted just prior to the deadline for the grandfathering provisions on December 10 - this means that they will fall under the policies of the old official plan - which permitted estate lot subdivisions.
Mattamy - Richmond Neighbourhood Project:
Mattamy Homes is proud to have worked with the Village of Richmond on its Community Design Plan for the last two years. At the same time, and in collaboration with this process, Mattamy Homes submitted its Official Plan Amendment application to integrate an innovative neighbourhood on the lands immediately to the west of the Village.
After some 21 Community Design Plan Steering Committee meetings, and after the Spring 2008 Visioning Workshops, the September 2009 Village Core Design Charette, the December 2009 Mattamy Lands Design Charette, February and September 2009 public open houses and community meetings, we are now entering the final phase of planning for Mattamy Homes’ lands.
In addition to the ongoing work by the Village on the Community Design Plan, the key dates for Mattamy Homes’ application are:
11 February 2010: Mattamy Homes’ submits revised final technical reports for its Official Plan Amendment application to the City of Ottawa;
(30?) March 2010: Joint Public Meeting for the Community Design Plan and the Master Servicing Study;
24 June 2010: Mattamy Homes’ Official Plan Amendment application will be before the City of Ottawa’s Agriculture Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) for a recommendation to City Council;
14 July 2010: Mattamy Homes’ Official Plan Amendment application will be before Ottawa City Council for a final decision.
Government of Ontario requests 'Expert Advice':
The government of Ontario admitted last week that it does not know 'how or whether' to measure for low frequency sound at wind turbine installations. Two Requests for Proposal www.merx.com were issued yesterday by the Ontario Ministry of Environment to help the ministry in "determining how or whether to regulate low frequency noise emissions.
"The Ministry requires a consultant to assist in the development of a measurement procedure to assess noise compliance of existing wind farms with the applicable sound level limits"
The Society for Wind Vigilance, an International Federation of Physicians and other professionals, repeats its appeal to all governments to place a moratorium on all wind development until a third party health study is conducted into the impact of industrial wind turbines on human health. At the minimum, current turbines should be turned off at night as a French court ruled and new industrial wind turbines should be set back a minimum of 2000 meters from residences. – submitted by Gary Chandler
Several months ago, after speaking with parties for and against, I proposed that Council place an 18-month moratorium on wind turbines until the issues of health and property values were reviewed in a comprehensive manner. The first part of the motion failed and the latter was considered resolved by the City’s MOH. However, the Province keeps reminding us that the Province is the sole regulating authority.
Hyde Park – Goulbourn:
Hyde Park is an example of the state of the art technology in senior housing. Steve Hyde’s futuristic development is a model for Ontario Cities. All that said, there are a few problems that need to be resolved. Here is an issue raised by some residents that the City is responding to:
“I wanted to touch base with you regarding your petition concerning construction traffic into Phase III of the Hyde Park. In early December, I met with City Legal staff and our engineer to request an analysis into the ability of the City to allow a temporary construction access to be constructed across those portions of land which the City owns, that currently has a legal agreement with a third party to construct permanent roads for another residential plan of subdivision.
I will report back to the Councillor and the residents’ association in February. It should be noted that at this point in time my department has yet to approve construction for Phase III of Hyde Park - this gives us time to complete our analysis and hopefully, come to a decision regarding this matter”. – Sean Moore, Planner
Floodplain Mapping – Richmond:
After many discussions with City departments, property owners and with the RVCA regarding the floodplain and berm constructions, I am in support of the engineers’ recommendations. The Van Gaal municipal drain will be modified to handle the 1 in 100 years flood by increasing the drains cross-section. The invert of the ditch remains unchanged.
Those living south of Perth Street will experience no increased impact as a result of the works north of Perth Street. The RVCA and the City approved the proposed recommendations on Jan. 28th.
Ontario Supports Baxter Conservation Area:
“We offer a huge tip of the tuque to the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, to Faber Snowshoes and to Scouts Canada who recently got together with a community grant to purchase a class set of snowshoes for the Baxter Conservation Area. This busy outdoor education centre has Ottawa-area schoolchildren booked in January and February for outdoor lessons through active and interactive learning.
With over five km of forest and marsh trails, Baxter is a natural public area for many outdoor activities in any season,” says Area Manager Peter Goddard, 613-489-3592
Crime Prevention Ottawa - $500,000:
Several years ago under the leadership of Councillor Legendre, this public funded program was introduced and supported by the majority of Council. The focus of this community-based program is on prevention. The volunteers in concert with police assistance have made a real statistical difference in crime prevention in our City’s core areas.
I have supported this program in the past and will do so going forth as the focus and efforts are on prevention – we all save!
Rural Affairs Officer, Derrick Moodie:
Quest for New Farm Value - Value Plus™ 2-Day Workshops - Are you looking for or do you have a business idea for your farm? Not sure how to make your idea a reality? The City of Ottawa’s Rural Affairs Office, along with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) are offering a workshop to assist.
Over two days, the participant will identify their specific value-added idea, put their idea into action, evaluate market channels, the importance and components of a business plan, explore how to finance the stages of the business and manage risk.
Dates: Tuesday February 23, 2010 and Tuesday March 2, 2010
Times: 9am to 4pm each day
Location: West Carleton Community Complex - 5670 Carp Road, Kinburn
For more information call 1-877-424-1300 or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Junicon Homes – Manotick:
Several weeks ago, I met with Junicon Homes representatives to discuss the construction of a seniors' residence on Bridge Street, Manotick. There is considerable work yet to be done before making a public presentation by the proponent.
There is a real need for senior accommodations within our rural villages. I am excited that we in Manotick, are blessed with two planned senior-related projects – one, the expansion of Highfield Place and the other Junicon is planning.
Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge a go:
City council has approved its share of the $48-million Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge and construction is expected to start in the spring.
Gloucester-South Nepean Councillor Steve Desroches and Barrhaven Councillor Jan Harder said the City of Ottawa is finishing the bridge design and plans to start the tender process.
Construction of the bridge should start in May 2010 and be completed by 2012. The eight-lane bridge will span 125 metres across the Rideau River and connect River Road on the east bank with Prince of Wales Drive on the west bank.
The federal and provincial governments are chipping in two-thirds of the bridge’s cost.
Heron Lake Estates and Dowdall Drain:
“Presently, the drainage works are before Council for approval. The apportionment of the cost to the property owners will be considered by Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (sitting as the Court of Revision) at a future date.
In the meantime, the following is Mr. Marc’s comment: “Councillor, I am passing this request onto Cathy Crosby who works on drainage issues for Legal Services.
I would like to note that the concern continues to be about the apportionment. This is of course not the issue that will be decided on 27 January. I trust that the concern citizens are aware that there will be additional time beyond the 27th (I recall that Dave Ryan indicated March) for the information to be provided and for the residents to have ample time to consider and respond to such information.
I do know however that Cathy is working on a response to the inquiries already”. – Tim Marc, Sr. City Counsel.
Kars – Cenotaph Update:
"I discussed the schedule with the architect, the Board proposes to relocate the monument and will prepare the foundation in the original phase of construction summer 2010 and relocate the cenotaph shortly after the Nov 11/2010 activities, while Kars Public School is still occupied."- Dan Fournier, OCDSB
I see this as an important win-win-win agreement with the school board, Manotick Legion and the residents of Kars and beyond. It is my hope that the residents will take ownership of the site in concert with Legion, Branch 314.
Silver Stick Tournament in Richmond in 1958/1959 season:
Here is an interesting request that I think the Richmond community at large might be interested in participating.
"Only you could help us to find some photographs of first Silver Stick Tournament in Richmond in 1958/1959 season.
We just moved to Richmond and my wife is willing to paint a hockey painting dedicated to this great event in history of Richmond. The International Hockey Tournament was born in Richmond 50 years ago.
- Alexander Khomoutov, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 613 599 0852