By Former Laurentian High School Site – Update
I recently met with City staff to discuss the redevelopment of the former Laurentian High School site, and I am pleased to report that staff are continuing to carefully consider the concerns and ideas raised by the Central Park Community Association and community members. I am continuing to push for Holding Provisions attached to the Site Plan. I am also working with staff to get major improvements completed at the intersection of Baseline and Clyde through a process known as a “front-ending agreement.” In doing so, the City of Ottawa will complete the City’s portion of improvements to the intersection at the same time as the developer regardless of where the City’s project ranks on the internal City priority list. Therefore, we could see major improvements made at this location earlier than expected through this process.
The re-zoning application is scheduled for the Tuesday July 14, 2009 Planning & Environment Committee (PEC) meeting held at City Hall beginning at9:30 a.m. The staff report will be available 10 days before the meeting. Once the report is released, you will have a chance to provide your feedback and can attend the PEC meeting if you wish.
Walk Like Your Life Depends On It
Since 2004, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Police Services, through its Integrated Road Safety Program, have conducted several public awareness campaigns aimed at improving road safety, such as initiatives to increase the safety of young drivers and intersections.
The Integrated Road Safety Program is set to launch its next major initiative, Walk Like Your Life Depends On It, apublic awareness campaign dedicated to promoting pedestrian safety.
You are invited to join me, Acting Mayor Michel Bellemare, Dr. Vera Etches, Associate Officer of Health, and Superintendent Charles Bordeleau from the Ottawa Police Service at the launch. Launch details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, June 18,2009
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. West.
I will keep you updated on the progress of this important new safety campaign. Please feel free to contact me at 613-580-2486 or at Maria.McRae@ottawa.ca if you have any questions.
Integrated Road Safety Program
May Results
Last month, the City of Ottawa’s Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP), through its Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), charged 408 drivers for failing to stop at stop signs and making unsafe lane changes.
Specifically, 293 tickets were issued for stop sign infractions, while 115 charges were laid for unsafe lane changes.
Each month since 2004, STEP has been profiling and enforcing two initiatives that target specific traffic safety priorities. These initiatives support larger IRSP public awareness and enforcement campaigns.
June Initiative
In May, STEP will focus on motorists who exceed set speed limits in construction zones and those who drive impaired.
Provincial legislation allows for the doubling of fines for motorists caught exceeding posted speed limits in construction zones when workers are present. The Ottawa Police Service will be applying this legislation with azero tolerance approach.
In Ottawa, between 2006 and2008,494 collisions occurred in construction zones resulting in 107 injuries, six of them serious. Two construction workers were injured on the job, when motorists struck them.
Each month since 2004, STEP has been profiling and enforcing two initiatives that target specific trafhc safety priorities. These initiatives support larger IRSP public awareness and enforcement campaigns.
City Council Approves Official Plan Amendment
On Wednesday, June 10, 2009, City Council approved an amendment to the 2003 Official Plan. The document provides a vision of how and where the city should grow through to 2031 and a policy framework to guide its physical development. The amended Official Plan incorporates changes that fall into four main areas:
- Expansion of the urban boundary
- Policies to ensure urban intensification and density targets,
- Implementation of the rural settlement strategy; and
- Protection of wetlands.
While urban intensification continues to be a priority in the revised plan, a requirement remains for additional urban land, driven largely by demand for single, detached homes. As a result, Council approved an expansion of the urban boundary by approximately 230 hectares to accommodate this demand. However, it also established intensification and minimum-density targets for lands outside the Greenbelt that must be met before the City considers any future urban expansions. Density targets for priority locations throughout the community, particularly the central area, main street corridors and rapid transit stations, were also approved as part of the amendment.
The Planning Act mandates that the Official Plan be reviewed every five years. The review began in October 2007 and has involved extensive public consultation with community groups, government agencies, business and other stakeholder groups. The Official Plan amendment will now be submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval. A decision is expected before the end of this year.
For further information, please visit ottawa.ca/beyondottawa2020.
Launch of the Green Bin Champions Pilot Project
The City of Ottawa held an Open House with Acting Mayor Bellemare, Members of Council and their staff to kick off the Green Bin Champions pilot project on June 1, 2009. The 95 Green Bin Champions, including myself and one of my assistants, will have the opportunity to use the Green Bin program prior to the city-wide launch in January 2010. We will be able to provide Solid Waste Operations staff with valuable feedback relating to the Green Bin program.
Starting in late 2009 over 240,000 homes in the City of Ottawa will begin to receive a new Green Bin. Since 2001, over 5,000 residents in nine neighbourhoods across Ottawa, including two neighbourhoods in my owrl ward, Hunt Club and Riverside Park, have participated in the Green Bin organics collection Pilot Project.
The feedback from participating residents was outstanding and the nine neighbourhoods have on average diverted 50 percent of their household waste from landfills. Organics collection will take the City one step closer to achieving our goal of diverting 60 percent of household waste.
If you would like further information about the Green Bin program, please visit www.ottawa.ca/residents/recycling_ garbage/green_bin_program.
Ottawa Public Health Continues West Nile Virus Control Program for 2009
Ottawa’s Public Health has started to implement its 2009 West Nile virus control program. As in previous years, the 2009 control plan consists of public education on personal protection against mosquitoes and reduction of mosquito breeding sites on private properties. This also includes:
- Monitoring of mosquitoes, birds of concern and the health of humans,
- Reduction of mosquito breeding sites on City-owned properties and,
- Mosquito control using a biological larvicide (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) on surface waters (ditches, storm water management ponds, etc.) and a chemical (Methoprene), larvicide in non-surface waters (catch basins of roadside storm sewers) and in sewage lagoons.
- Mosquito control using adulticide (Malathion) will be used only if absolutely necessary. Evidence of intense transmission in birds, and/or particular mosquito species as well as human disease would be used to make this decision.
The Ontario Ministry of Health has ceased funding for the West Nile Virus bird-monitoring program, citing the original intent of the program was to confirm the presence of the virus in Ontario. The West Nile Virus is a permanent reality in Ontario. In addition to public awareness campaigns and proactive mosquito control on surface waters, the Province will also continue to use other types of West Nile indicators, such as mosquito surveillance, to determine any human risk.
However, Ottawa Public Health will be continuing the bird-monitoring program for one more year. Residents can report dead crows, ravens, and blue jays by calling 3-1-1 or directly to 613-580-2424, ext.26138.
For additional information on the West Nile virus, please contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744, or visit ottawa.ca/residents/health.
Residents’ Input Needed to Plan Future of Recreation Services
Until August 15, 2009, residents are being asked to provide Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services with their thoughts on recreational services in Ottawa. To provide better services for everyone in our city, a Master Plan is being developed and residents are encouraged to participate in the process through three white papers. The completed Master Plan will provide the direction for recreation services in the City for the next 10 to 15 years.
Three white papers focus on the topics:
- Service Delivery
- Accessibility and Inclusion
- Tax Support, Subsidization and Revenue Generation
Later this year, all feedback will be gathered and presented to City Council via a report that will outline the response from residents and staff recommendations.
The white papers are available to all residents, groups, organizations or associations on ottawa.ca/recreation, or printed copies can be picked up at client service centres, or most community centres and libraries. For more information on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and its white papers visit ottawa.ca, or e-mail recreationmasterplan@ottawa.ca.
Have a Wonderful Summer
I would like to take this time to wish you and your family a happy and restful summer.