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MANOR PARK CHRONICLE
novembre 2005
Trees & Foundations in Areas of Clay Soils
Some areas of Manor Park were affected by this problem in recent
years since the sensitive marine clay soils underlie much of this
area of the City. Some types of large trees are very demanding of
any available soil moisture. In relatively dry years, such trees
can contribute to destabilizing nearby foundations. The City has
now adopted a policy of dealing with such situations. The new
policy is to a very large extent built on the policy that had been
developed in Ottawa previous to amalgamation so major changes are
not to be expected in Manor Park. The policy rests on two
principles: 1. tree preservation, and, 2. risk reduction. It
consists of a revised 4-phase assessment process incorporating
best practices. After this thorough process it remains a
possibility that tree retention may not be possible. The trees cut
in recent times were on private property and therefore exempt from
the bylaw. There were however a few cases where trees on City
property were allegedly causing severe problems. Regardless of
whether the tree is on private or public property, residents may
wish to consult the City’s web site to learn more about how to
deal with the problem and preserve the trees, which contribute
significantly to the quality of life in the neighbourhood.
Beechwood Community Design Plan - Update
What was to be the last public meeting on this subject took place
on Wednesday October 5th at the former Vanier City Hall. The
meeting was well attended which speaks to a very wide interest on
the part of residents in the vicinity of Beechwood and users of
Beechwood as a transportation corridor or as a community-shopping
destination. That evening was supposed to include a presentation
of the transportation aspects of the corridor, both as they
currently exist and what they could be assuming the growth that
can be expected over the next ten years. The presentation was to
include a computer generated visualization of all traffic modes in
the corridor. Although that presentation never occurred, it was
very evident that there was a lot of interest precisely in that
aspect of the Design Plan. As a result, another public meeting
will have to be scheduled. No date or venue has yet been selected
but I expect, in view of all of the upcoming budget meetings, that
an evening in January or even February would be reasonable.
Residents of Manor Park, as frequent corridor users, should be
interested in this study, and especially in its transportation
vision. I remind everyone that the study is intended to guide
planning and transportation decisions over the next decade. Please
monitor the announcement of the next (and final?) public meeting
through your community association, local newspapers or through my
office. The meeting date will certainly be posted on your ward web
site (
www.rideau-rockcliffe.com ).
Property Assessment & Property Taxes
Once again, the property assessment system has caused controversy
in Ottawa and indeed in the province as a whole. As you know, the
system is supposed to apportion everyone’s share of the City’s
budget needs in a transparent, fair and stable manner. The problem
has been that the system appears to lack all of these
characteristics. Finally, Ontario’s ombudsman, as a result of many
complaints received directly from property tax payers and from
municipal authorities (including Ottawa City Council) has decided
to investigate. He will make his recommendations to the provincial
government in 4 to 6 months.
As your representative, I have received many complaints, and not
just recently, regarding the inadequacies of the current system. I
have communicated my views to many over the years. In an attempt
to be as informative as possible, I have now created an
information package on this topic on your ward web site at
www.rideau-rockcliffe.com . It includes a copy of the staff
presentation to Council’s Corporate Services & Economic
Development Committee on October 3rd - providing an overview of
the most recent reassessments on a city-wide basis, a copy of a
staff-prepared list of FAQs on property assessments as well as a
copy of my own views on the subject of assessments and taxes
prepared and disseminated at the time of the last municipal
election.
Ward Budget Meeting
Consultation in Rideau-Rockcliffe on the proposed 2006 City Budget
has been scheduled for:
November 24th at 7:30 pm
Overbrook Community Centre,
33 Quill Street
Mr. Kent Kirkpatrick, the City’s CAO, and other senior managers
will be on hand to provide an overview of the proposed budget and
answer questions. As in the past, this is your best opportunity to
learn directly how City taxes are directed and to provide your
views and comments directly to your elected representative. I hope
to see you that evening.
C.F.B. Rockcliffe – What’s the latest?
In spite of the many articles that have appeared in the Ottawa
Citizen on the disposal and redevelopment of CFB Rockcliffe, the
Canada Lands Corporation (CLC) informs me that nothing new has
actually happened. The Minister of National Defence, the Hon. Bill
Graham, must officially approve its sale to CLC and this has yet
to occur. CLC is the crown agency charged with disposing of crown
assets in these situations. Acquisition of the site by CLC will
trigger an extensive planning and consultative process with the
City of Ottawa to determine the most appropriate use of these
lands in the future.
Karen Way Redevelopment Proposal
There is nothing new to report on Richcraft’s proposal to
redevelop the former school site on Karen Way.
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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