By Laurentian High School Site – Update
On October 14, 2009, with a strong majority (17 to 4), City Council approved the Planning & Environment Committee’s recommendation to proceed with the rezoning of the former Laurentian High School. This decision could be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board prior to progressing to the final Site Plan Approval.
Although an appeal is a possibility, I will continue to work closely with City staff and representatives from SmartCentres to develop a draft Site Plan that meets the stringent Holding Provisions identified in the rezoning report. In order to receive your feedback and input, once the draft Site Plan is ready, I will host a public meeting. As per previous meetings, I will also invite residents and businesses from the abutting Wards to participate.
Since all of this property is contained in our Ward, I have absolute authority when signing off on the final Site Plan. You have my assurances that I will hold the developer and City staff accountable to ensure that the final Site Plan reflects the rigorous Holding Provisions approved by Council.
Thank you to all residents and the Ottawa Central Park Community Association for taking the time to provide feedback about the redevelopment of this site. I look forward to your continued participation once the draft Site Plan is ready.
Parking on Central Park Drive: Update
In response to community concerns about parking violations on Central Park Drive, the City’s Parking Enforcement Program Manager informed me that Parking Officers continue to chalk the area daily, sometimes twice a day. This is in addition to checking for intersection violations, etc. Staff have issued hundreds of tickets since transit service fully resumed in March, 2009.
Along with proactive enforcement, I encourage you to call 3-1-1 if you personally witness an infraction. The calls for service generate valuable statistics, which allows staff to allocate their resources accordingly.
Changing Parking Regulations on Central Park Drive
Some residents, not living on Central Park Drive, have weighed in on their desire to change parking regulations on Central Park Drive. Staff have confirmed the following:
“In order to consider a change to parking regulations a consensus of 80% of
residents/businesses on the street is required.”
This would include residents living in the condos and seniors’ residences on Central Park Drive, as they too may be personally impacted by any parking changes.
Contrary to some of the misinformation circulating about this issue, parking changes as alluded to above, do not go to City Council for approval. If the 80% consensus is reached, Traffic staff will review the request, study the area and make a recommendation.
Traffic staff have further reminded me that legally parked vehicles are natural speed deterrents. This factor will be addressed in their upcoming report at the conclusion of the traffic study.
Parking at Celebration Park
Several months ago, I asked staff to review parking regulations regarding the parking lot at Celebration Park. Staff have confirmed that there are no Site Plan requirements to specifically reserve this lot for overflow residential parking.
Speeding and Other Traffic Violations on Central Park Drive and Adjacent Streets
The Ottawa Police Service will continue to provide enforcement regarding speeding, stop-sign running, etc. Please contact the police directly if you witness a driving infraction. As with parking violations, the calls for service generate valuable statistics, which allows the police to allocate their resources appropriately.
Distracted Drivers Campaign
As Chair of the Transportation Committee, I am launching a public education campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while distracted. The campaign also coincides with new Provincial legislation that takes effect on October 26, 2009, making it illegal for drivers to use hand-held communications and entertainment devices while driving.
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: St. Laurent Shopping Centre, 1200 St. Laurent Blvd. Event takes place on main level in centre court.
Fall Give Away Weekend
Fall Give Away Weekend will take place Saturday, October 24, 2009 and Sunday, October 25, 2009 at the conclusion of Waste Reduction Week. Set your unwanted household goods out at the curb with a sign or label indicating that they are free.
Give Away Treasures could include:
- Books, CDs and DVDs;
- Old furniture and small appliances;
- Construction materials – including drywall and hardware such as nails, bolts and screws;
- Kitchen gadgets, dishes, cutlery, pots and pans and
- Unwanted gifts
Seasonal Flu Clinics
The City has the necessary plans, partnerships and resources in place to respond to this fall’s expected busy flu season.
Below are the best methods recommended by the Medical Officer of Health to prevent the spread of the flu:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
- Cough and sneeze into the arm or sleeve, not the hands
- Stay home when you are ill
- Get the vaccine
There is sufficient vaccine for everyone who wants to be immunized. The vaccine will initially be distributed to those people with existing health conditions and seniors since they are at greater risk of developing complications from the seasonal flu virus.
Ottawa Public Health will launch 9 free seasonal flu clinics over a four-week period for seniors 65 years of age and older.
The Ottawa Older Adult Plan: Investing in Our Seniors
The number of senior citizens living in Ottawa is set to explode. Over the next 20 years, the number of people aged 65 and over will increase by 50%, creating significant demands and pressures for new services.
Through the implementation of the recently approved Ottawa Older Adult Plan, City Council will determine how to best address the needs of our aging population, determine what services are required, how to deliver them, and what partnerships can address this growing population. This comprehensive strategy will review a variety of factors including service delivery, organization and management, partnerships with agencies and governments, volunteer support, financial incentives and subsidies.
City Depots for Household Hazardous Waste
The City of Ottawa is hosting household hazardous waste collection depots to provide a convenient way for you to help keep the environment free of hazardous household waste. Depot details are as follows:
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009
Place: Tunney’s Pasture (corner of Tunney’s Pasture Driveway and Scott Street).
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009
Place: 2705 Stevenage Drive, between Hawthorne Road and Russell Road, south of Walkley Road.
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009
Place: 4475 Trail Road, off Moodie Drive, south of Fallowfield Road.
All depots run from 9a.m. to 4p.m. Only household waste is accepted (maximum 100 litres) at the depot. No commercial waste accepted. For a complete listing of acceptable household hazardous waste, visit the City’s website at www.ottawa.ca/hhw.
Green Bin Program
Ottawa’s Green Bin Program is a new recycling initiative that involves collecting residential organic waste and turning it into compost. Green Bins were distributed in River Ward throughout September and pick-up will begin in January 2010. If you have not received one, please contact my office and I would be happy to follow-up.
Recycling organic waste can extend the life of local landfills and reduce greenhouse gases. Aside from garden and yard waste, the green bin will take all food-related waste, including meat, bones, dairy, cooking oils, used tissues, food-soiled paper products like pizza boxes, and more.
Integrated Road Safety Program
September Results
Last month, the City of Ottawa’s Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP), through its Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), laid a total of 2,967 charges for speeding and failing to stop for school buses when their flashing red lights were activated.
Specifically, 2,927 tickets were issued to drivers who failed to adhere to posted speed limits, while the school bus initiative resulted in the laying of 40 charges.
October Initiative
In October, STEP will focus on seatbelt safety, child car seat safety and distracted divers.