Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Ottawa dismisses cycling problems by removing ghost bikes: Advocates

Metro News

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, October 29, 2015

A new City of Ottawa policy proposing a three-month cap on roadside memorials has Ottawa cycling advocates weighing in.Ghost bikes – old bikes spray-painted white and left near the scene of an accident where a cyclist was struck and killed – serve several purposes, according to a number of people in response to the draft policy.

Not only are the roadside shrines memorials for grieving family and friends, they are stark reminders to cycle and drive safely in the city.

Uber customer service better than taxis, say Ottawa focus groups

Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Laucius, Ottawa Citizen, October 29, 2015

Uber customer service is “resoundingly higher” than taxi service, according to results from a series of Ottawa focus groups conducted last month.

In total, 36 people took part in the focus groups, part of a series of studies and reports on the city’s the taxi industry. The focus group results were released Thursday. A comprehensive review is to be completed by the end of the year.

City proposes reducing parking spots for new buildings

Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Laucius, Ottawa Citizen, October 28, 2015

The city wants more people in the urban core — but not more cars. That’s why planners are recommending eliminating the minimum number of parking spots required for most new small developments in the inner urban area.

This wouldn’t eliminate existing parking spaces, but it would mean not adding new ones for new small-scale development, says planner Tim Moerman.

Enviro, sales pitches target 24 Sussex

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottawa Sun

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, October 28, 2015

The sad condition of 24 Sussex Dr. has presented opportunities for environmental advocates and businesses to chime in with suggestions.

The Sierra Club Canada Foundation says the renovation should make the prime minister's home the world's most "energy-smart official residence."

Metrolinx could tap Transpo for more Presto money

Ottawa & Region

News

Ott

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, October 28, 2015

OC Transpo could be tapped for more money to keep the Presto smartcard system running on Ottawa's growing transit network.

There's only one year left in the contract between Transpo and Metrolinx to provide the Presto service in Ottawa. The 10-year operating agreement ends in October 2016.

How tactical urbanism can transform cities, one small change at a time

Ottawa Citizen

By Don Butler, Ottawa Citizen, October 28, 2015

American urban planner Mike Lydon coined the term tactical urbanism and co-authored a 2015 book about it. Lydon spoke to the Citizen’s Don Butler ahead of a presentation Thursday as part of the National Capital Commission’s capital urbanism lab lecture series.

Q: What is tactical urbanism?

A: It’s all about trying things quickly and inexpensively and learning what works and what doesn’t, then taking what works well and feeding that back into the design, planning and development process. It’s low cost so it’s low risk, both politically and financially.

Segregated bike lanes proposed for Confederation Boulevard

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, October 28, 2015

The National Capital Commission and the City of Ottawa have joined forces to build segregated bike lanes in front of the United States Embassy.

The $1.7-million project will see jersey barriers on the east side of Mackenzie Avenue — installed along the roadway after the 9/11 attack — replaced with bollards, behind which segregated, bi-directional bike lanes will be built between Rideau and Murray streets.

Bizarre decision creates debate on 'wow'

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottawa Sun

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, October 27, 2015

A decision by the Ontario Municipal Board has city council literally thinking "wow."

The provincial tribunal left it up to politicians to figure out if a new rendering by Mizrahi Developments is ravishing enough to build at 1445-1451 Wellington St. at Island Park Dr.

On Tuesday, councillors on the planning committee had to decide if the drawing had the "wow" factor required for a 12-storey landmark building at that prominent location.

Adami: Infill development making sawdust out of Ottawa tree bylaw

Ottawa Citizen

By Hugh Adami, Ottawa Citizen, October 26, 2015

It doesn’t take a genius to realize that an excavation for a so-called monster home will result in major root damage to any large tree near the periphery of the hole.

But Ottawa City Hall doesn’t seem to get it — or at least not the city’s committee of adjustment, which deals with infill development when zoning issues such as minor variances and severances are required. Though developers must take steps to protect a “distinctive” tree near a construction area — encircling it with mesh fencing and hiring an arborist, for example — how does that actually protect anything if a large portion of the roots are in the way of the excavation?

Ottawa’s ‘fragile’ Mer Bleue bog reveals a tougher side

Ottawa Citizen

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, October 27, 2015

When they started a study on climate change in Mer Bleue, many assumed the vast bog in eastern Ottawa would be in trouble.

Climate change is expected to dry out wetlands. The Mer Bleue is not only a wetland, but is widely seen as extra pristine, ethereal, so fragile that we shouldn’t even touch it.

Five things at Ottawa City Hall this week

Metro News

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, October 26, 2015

Wow-worthy condos (or not)

What’s a “landmark” building? On Tuesday, the planning committee will decide whether the controversial 12-storey condo design on Wellington Street West has enough “wow” factor. The Parliamentary Precinct-style building is a total revamp from the original plan Developer Mizrahi pitched back in 2013 (buildings in that area beyond the nine-storey limit need council’s thumbs-up). Councillors shot down the design back then, Mizrahi fought the decision at the Ontario Municipal Board, which gave it the go-ahead, as long as the top three floors have a “wow” element that make it a “landmark” building.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: City to install new pedestrian safety measures at deadly intersection :: News - Article

By Alison Sandor, CFRA News, October 26, 2015

The City is taking steps to protect pedestrians standing at the corner of several downtown intersections.

Construction started Monday on the installation of concrete pillars to protect pedestrians on the sidewalk at Rideau and Waller from right-turning transport trailers.

Yvonne Hendrikx was struck and killed by a large truck at that intersection in February 2014. The vehicle left the scene and police said it was possible the driver did not realize they had hit a person. A man came forward in March of 2014 and pleaded guilty to Careless Driving.