|
MANOR PARK CHRONICLE
jANVIER 2004
Tree Cutting in Manor Park
Residents awoke one morning to find that trees on Camelia, between
Mart Circle and Blasdell Avenue, had been cut down. The look of
the street had been significantly altered with the disappearance
of its majestic 50-year-old trees and its high canopy, which
provided protective shade from the summer sun. Residents of
Camelia itself were especially upset at the loss. The management
of Manor Park Estates (M.P.E.) explained that they felt obliged to
act because their engineering studies had shown that the trees
were contributing to soil subsiding under foundations of many of
the units. This caused cracking and shifting foundations and
damage to walls requiring expensive repairs. The soil in the area
contains layers of Leda clay, a form of marine clay. An important
characteristic of this clay is that it shrinks and looses its
cohesiveness when it dries out. This happens following an
especially long dry period, such as was experienced over the last
two years.
A short time after that event, residents on Barclay Road received
an advisory from M.P.E. that tree cutting would occur on their
street on Monday, December 1st . Residents, alarmed by the events
on Camelia, petitioned my office in an effort to save their trees,
claiming that there was no damage to units on Barclay and that
therefore it was unnecessary to cut down any trees. I immediately
contacted M.P.E.’s management with this information. They offered
to show me the damage so that I could see for myself the extent of
the problem. They also agreed to delay any cutting until after the
site visit. On December 2nd, I visited several units in the area
with Mr. Aggarwal, M.P.E. manager and one of his property
maintenance managers. I addition I requested that Mr. David
Barkley, a Forester with the City, accompany us. We examined the
interior of units on Mart Circle, Camelia and Barclay. As well, we
surveyed the exterior of many more units on those streets.
Significant damage was visible as had been claimed by M.P.E.
management. The damage appeared to be related to the near presence
of large trees but, of course, we had no means of proving that
during the visit. It was also determined very clearly that the
trees, as well as the affected streets, were on private property.
This meant that the City had no ability to prevent cutting if the
owner decided to do so, even in the absence of any demonstrated
rational.
A meeting of concerned Barclay residents was held on the evening
of December 11th at the Manor Park School. Present were Mr. Craig
Huff, a City Forester responsible for Policy and Programs, Mr.
Sandy Smallwood, an owner and operator of rental properties in
many parts of Ottawa for some 30 years, Ms. Iola Price, co-chair
of the Ottawa Forests & Greenspace Advisory Committee, along with
all of the participants during the site visit. Once again M.P.E.
management agreed to delay any cutting, at least until after the
meeting. The result of the extensive discussions that evening were
as follows:
• Tree cutting on Barclay would be selective only – i.e. where
there were clear indications that a nearby tree was adding
sufficient stress that structural damage resulted;
• Replanting (Camelia included) would occur with tree species
which are known to require less water than others (e.g. Beech,
Birch, Cedar, Pine);
• Residents expressed a desire to join M.P.E. in submitting an
application to the City in the context of its “Community
Partnership Tree Planting Program”;
• Residents also expressed a desire to raise funds through
community events (BBQs, etc.) for the program (Note: preference is
given to groups willing to match City funds);
• Ms. Price offered to coordinate a more general tree-planting
program in the Ward – interested parties should contact Iola Price
at iolaprice@comnet.ca (e-mail preferred) or at 746-6145.
Birch Street Lighting – An Invitation
The worst is over for the rehabilitation works on Birch. After a
winter break, the spring will see completion of all concrete works
(curbs and sidewalk), a final finishing asphalt coat, remedial
works at individual private driveway entrances, landscaping and,
of course, the lighting system. As promised, the community will be
asked for the preferred lighting type that they will want on
Birch. A meeting for the purpose has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
on January 12th at the Manor Park Public School.
The community is being asked to consider the type of lighting
fixture as well as the type of light source. I remind you of the
three fixture options on the table, two of which (# 2 and # 3)
will require Transportation Committee and Council approval. The
options are:
• 15 cobra head fixtures, located on the west side (as with the
sidewalk, underground water and gas mains make it difficult to
have the lamp-posts on the east side);
• Approximately 20 coach style fixtures similar to those existing
currently elsewhere in Manor Park (lighting level would not meet
city standards); and,
• The status quo, providing a lighting level far below city
standards (not recommended).
Also, for each of the above options, there are two types of light
source to consider – High Pressure Sodium (city standard; produces
a yellow/orange light) and Metal Halide (not standard, requires
Transportation Committee and Council approval; produces a white
light and is more expensive both as to initial cost and on-going
maintenance). No additional costs would be attributable to the
residents if a decision were made to adopt a higher cost option,
either for the type of fixture or the light source. However, we
all know the serious budget difficulties this year, which may mean
additional difficulties in obtaining the required committee
approval.
You may wish to consider these options and discuss them with your
neighbours in advance of the public meeting. My office is always
available should any questions arise.
UPR, “Opportunity Logs” & 2004 Budget
The Universal Program Review (UPR) is that document which provides
an indication of the effects of cuts of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and, in
some cases 100% to each one of 105 ‘Service Areas’ (SA). Note that
42 SAs have legislated mandates, 44 SAs are not specifically
mandated but are controlled by legislation and regulations once
Council chooses to provide the service (includes SAs that protect
public health), and 19 SAs have no legislated mandates. The
Opportunity Log is a document offering suggestions for offering
City services in different ways than has been the case in the
past. Reference copies of both documents are available at local
branches of the public library and on the City’s web page (www.ottawa.ca)
.
A consultation & information evening, using video conferencing,
has been organized for Wards 12 & 13 at the St. Laurent Complex,
525 Côté Street, 7:00 p.m. on January 19th. This should be an
excellent occasion to learn about the options facing our
community. Senior staff will be on hand to provide an overview and
to answer questions. This year, as never before, the right
questions are front and centre:
• Should the City provide a given service at all?
• Must the service be provided at the level at which it is
currently offered?
• Are there better or more cost-effective ways of providing the
service?
All of this in the context of the quality of life that you believe
is affordable in this City. Staff will consider the input from the
public as it prepares the draft budget for release to the public
on February 11th. Budget consultation in the wards (monitor your
Rideau-Rockcliffe web site for details) will follow from February
12 –29, prior to committee-by-committee consideration in the
period March 1 – 12. Council will make the final decisions on
March 24.
Hemlock/Beechwood Transportation Corridor
A “Community Design Plan” for the Beechwood corridor has started.
This is a design approach described in the City’s new Official
Plan (Section 2.5.7, page 56) and includes the transportation
aspects of the corridor. A preliminary meeting was held on
November 19th to discuss the broad parameters of the exercise with
representatives of community groups in the area. Mr. Donald Morse,
a planner with the City, will serve as the principal coordinator.
He can be reached at 580-2424 # 13850 or at
Donald.Morse@ottawa.ca
. A public meeting is envisaged in early February. Those
interested in participating are encouraged to monitor the
Rideau-Rockcliffe web site (address below). The time, date and
place will be posted as soon as it is available.
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
RETOUR
À L'INDEX
|
