|
Rockcliffe
park newsletter
SEPTEMBER
2003
Birch Avenue Rehabilitation Project
The June 20th 2003 survey distributed to Birch Street residents
indicates that the vast majority of households were in favour of a
proposal that featured:
1- A reduced road width from 9.5 metres to 9 metres;
2- A reduced western concrete sidewalk width of 1.65 metres;
3- A roadway edge on the east side at its current position.
Further deviations from standards over which city staff have
delegated authority would have required Council approval (without
any assurance of success for whatever was requested) and a year’s
delay in project implementation. I believe that this design will
serve the community at large very well for decades to come while
offering the least possible undesirable consequences for the
property owners along Birch. Work is expected to begin in early
September. A reconstituted roadway, with an initial usable tarmac
layer, should be in place prior to freeze-up. Finishing work,
landscaping and lighting would follow in the spring.
One final aspect remains to be settled. The community will be
consulted on the type of lighting fixture as well as on the type
of light source. In this case there is more time to consider the
options, as the installation of lighting will occur in the latter
phases of the project. There will be a meeting in the community on
this subject sometime in the fall or winter. There are three
fixture options on the table, two of which (# 2 and # 3) will
require Transportation Committee and Council approval. The options
are:
1- 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);
2- Approximately 20 coach style fixtures similar to those existing
currently elsewhere in Manor Park (lighting level would not meet
city standards); and,
3- The status quo providing a lighting level far below city
standards.
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.
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.
Councillor Jacques Legendre
I can be contacted by telephone at 580-2483, by fax at 580-2523 or
by email at
Jacques.Legendre@ottawa.ca
Visit your web site at
www.rideau-rockcliffe.com
back
to index
|
