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MANOR PARK CHRONICLE
JANUARY 2005
Karen Way Rezoning – The Latest
Rezoning of this site was to be considered by Planning Committee
in November. The item was removed from the agenda at the request
of the developer, Richcraft Homes. Discussions between
representatives from Richcraft and the Community Association are
continuing.
I am reproducing my comments, which were included in the report
that had been prepared for the November Planning Committee
meeting, below. It would also be my intention, at a later site
plan stage, to request that the developer be charged with the
costs of signalizing the Karen Way/St. Laurent Boulevard
intersection.
Councillor’s Comments (Nov. 2004 Planning Committee excerpt)
The City’s Official Plan calls for intensification, but
intensification that is compatible with the surrounding community.
The difficulty of this site has a lot to do with defining the
relevant community and understanding its surroundings.
I believe that the only way to approach reasonable rezoning on
this site is to properly recognize its principal characteristics.
The site fronts on an arterial road, but at a location where that
arterial is close to losing its arterial nature and becoming a
collector. The other characteristic of the site is that it is
adjacent to an area characterized principally by single-family
homes. This site needs to be compatible along two separate axes.
Along St. Laurent Boulevard, compatibility would need to take into
consideration that this roadway, designated as an arterial,
connects two well-established communities. Approximately 330
metres to the north, St. Laurent Boulevard changes its character
and becomes a collector road with low-rise attached and
single-family residences on both sides. This is an established,
stable community. The portion of St. Laurent Boulevard that
includes the subject property should be treated as a transition
zone between the high-rise residential buildings south of Brittany
and the low-rise residential community north of Hemlock. Spot
re-zoning is particularly inappropriate at this location.
Development along St. Laurent Boulevard, between Hemlock and
Brittany, should effect a transition between the existing
high-rise (29, 25 and 12 stories) as one moves north from Montréal
Road toward Brittany and the single-family homes north of Hemlock.
I believe that mid-rise (5 stories) development, fronting along
this portion of St. Laurent Boulevard, would best achieve the twin
goals of the Official Plan of intensification and community
compatibility.
In order to achieve compatibility with the surrounding residential
community at this location, as well as along the entire stretch of
St. Laurent Boulevard between Brittany and Hemlock, zoning should
only be approved for building heights that closely match the
adjacent low-rise community to the east, largely single-family
homes. In this respect, the proponent is proposing a site-plan
that meets this test. Zoning on this site should reflect the
intended height transition, 5-stories fronting on St. Laurent and
2/3 stories (with appropriate backyards) for the portion of the
property adjacent to the residential community to the east.
Unlike the two established communities, one low-rise to the north,
the other high-rise to the south, this intermediate portion of St.
Laurent Boulevard, east side, between Brittany and Hemlock, is on
the verge of redevelopment along its entire length. Whatever
happens at this site will likely be viewed as precedent setting,
with significant effects in the very near future.
Budget 2005 Process
During the entire week of January 24th – 28th, 2005, Committee of
the Whole (City Council) will hear public delegations on the draft
budget. Meeting times are posted on the City’s web site. Any one
wishing to address Council may reserve their time slot (5 minutes)
in advance. There are evening sessions scheduled for Tuesday and
Thursday. This is quite different than previous practice. It means
that, in principle, public delegations will be able to address the
entire Council on any item of interest. There will be neither
committee-by-committee hearings nor any preliminary decisions at
the committee level.
Council, during the week following, February 1st – 4th, 2005, will
debate the merits of all budgetary proposals and make its
decisions.
Public Consultation on the Draft Budget
Please mark your calendar for January 13th. Details appear
elsewhere in the Chronicle. This is an excellent opportunity to
learn first-hand what the draft budget contains from senior staff.
It is also a good opportunity to let your representative know your
priorities for our City. The meeting will also be posted on the
ward web site
www.rideau-rockcliffe.com.
Crime Prevention – A Smarter Way of Investing in a Safer Ottawa
Ottawa may be a relatively safe city, but we still need to address
the number of people being victimized each year. And why wait
until things get worse? Now is the time to act. Ottawa needs such
a strategy. As the panel’s report, submitted for Council’s
consideration, says: “The best time to act would be 5 years ago.
The second best time is now. The worse time is 5 years from now.”
Those interested may consult the report at
www.rideau-rockcliffe.com or obtain a copy at both the St. Laurent
Complex and at the Library. My office would be happy to provide a
copy if all else fails. This proposal is part of the draft budget.
Consultations on the subject will also be held in January. Actual
approval of the proposal would be part of the budget debate in
early 2005. This is the best strategy for controlling rising
Policing costs in the future. I encourage you to get involved and
support this initiative.
Sidewalk Standards
There was considerable interest in the community on the subject of
sidewalks during the consultations surrounding the Birch Street
rehabilitation. Those interested should know that staff hopes to
bring forward the Terms of Reference for the Pedestrian Master
Plan by March of 2005. This plan will include specifics with
respect to sidewalks, such as the widths and selection of concrete
or asphalt.
Street Lighting
The Birch Street project also generated a lot of interest on the
question of street lighting. The Strategic Street Lighting Plan is
currently under way. This will be completed by the spring of 2005.
Beechwood Avenue Community Design Plan - Update
This project was described in the November issue of the Chronicle.
A steering committee has started meeting. Public consultation will
begin in 2005. The study should take one year to complete.
Residents of Manor Park may be especially interested in the
transportation aspects of this plan. The steering committee could
certainly accommodate a representative from this community.
Season's Greetings
I take this opportunity, on behalf of my family and myself, to
extend to all, Best Wishes for Health, Prosperity and Personal
Serenity in 2005.
Meilleurs vœux
Je profite de cette occasion pour vous souhaiter mes meilleurs
vœux pour une année de santé, prospérité et sérénité.
Jacques Legendre
Councillor, Rideau-Rockcliffe
You can communicate with me at (please include a telephone
number):
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON K1P 1J1
Tel: 580-2483, Fax: 580-2523
E-mail:
jacques.legendre@ottawa.ca
Web Site:
www.rideau-rockcliffe.com
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