By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Community News, August 28, 2015
Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury is banking on the city’s site plan process to fix an unpopular high-rise development planned for Rideau, Cobourg and Besserer streets downtown.
Council approved an official plan and zoning amendment package on Aug. 26 to allow a mixed-use complex ranging in height from 3.5 to 14 storeys at that corner.
By Randall Denley, Ottawa Citizen, August 28, 2015
The news that the city of Ottawa faces a $41 million deficit this year raises serious questions about the city’s ability to forecast expenses and control costs.
While the overall deficit might be a shock, the fact that the water and sewer operation is $6.8 million in the hole is no surprise at all. The city’s utility accounts are a mess and have been for years. Over the last three years, the cumulative revenue shortfall is more than $36 million. The trend is continuing this year and the city keeps blaming the problem on declining water consumption.
Petrie Island Clean UpEcology Ottawa, in partnership with Friends of Petrie Island, is hosting an end of summer clean-up and clear-up of Petrie Island. Let's come together as a community to protect and restore this local treasure! The clean-up and clear-up will be held on Saturday August 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will be meeting near the Nature Interpretation Centre on the island (at the north end of Trim Road), light rain or shine. We will supply garbage bags, and we recommend bringing work gloves and rubber boots if it’s wet. Please bring a rake if you have one. Volunteers are invited to enjoy a vegetarian and vegan friendly BBQ during the cleanup, sponsored by Ecology Ottawa. The park is easily accessed via bus route 198. Alternatively, you can take the 95 route to Orleans Station and bike from there! The Nature Interpretation Centre is 200m West from the Petrie Island Beach. For more information: CONTACT Trina Loken, Ecology Ottawa (613) 860-5353
By CFRA News, August 27, 2015
Ottawa City Hall says a total of 142 charges have now been laid against 64 Uber drivers in the city.
According to a memo, 58 of those drivers have pleaded guilty to 115 charges with fines totalling more than $41,000.
By CBC News Ottawa, August 27, 2015
The City of Ottawa should run a one-year pilot project that turns on-street parking spaces into areas used for restaurant seating, entertainment, retail or bike parking, according to a staff report. Catherine McKenney Coun. Catherine McKenney, who represents Somerset Ward, requested city staff members examine the potential for more patio and sidewalk space in the downtown areas. (CBC) The report, which will be voted on at Wednesday's transportation committee, suggests councillors approve the "Streetside Spot" pilot. It would remove up to 25 parking spaces.
By Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen, August 27, 2015
Ottawa Public Health is warning people to protect themselves from mosquito bites after detecting West Nile virus in the city’s mosquito population.
Ongoing testing confirmed the virus in three places in the city’s east end earlier this month.
By Matt Moore, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, August 27, 2015
Three months ago, I started biking to work downtown. In that time, I’ve found a lot of bicyclists are jerks. In blogs and letters to the editor, cyclists seem to see themselves as both heroes (i.e., no pollution, reduced parking requirements, good for their health) and victims. This city is not friendly to cyclists, they say when demanding change. Over these last few months, I’ve come to agree with some of their issues. Bike lanes suddenly stop. Narrow downtown streets can make cycling dangerous. There could be more places to secure your bike. Then there are the behaviours of others on the road. Pedestrians cross bike lanes without looking. Cars turn without signalling. Sometimes you need to be aggressive with motorists who do not respect your right to the road.
By CBC News Ottawa, August 26, 2015
Some residents in Sandy Hill are angry about plans to build an eight-storey condominium complex in their neighbourhood despite existing zoning that caps building height at six storeys in their area.
The proposed condo building would go up in the Robinson Village area, which is bordered by the Rideau River, the Queensway and the Lees Avenue transitway station.
By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, August 26, 2015
A split vote Wednesday on a proposal to build a 27-storey tower on Metcalfe Street has revealed a divide on city council over the weight of neighbourhood development plans.
For years, the documents known formally as community design plans — or CDPs — have been used to fine-tune high-level city planning documents for specific communities. CDPs are supposed to give residents a reliable sense of what they might expect to see built in their neighbourhood.
By Adam Friebel, Ottawa Citizen, August 25, 2015
The city’s planning committee has approved amendments to its cash-in-lieu for parkland policy that would now give councillors the ability to repair parks and recreational amenities using money originally designated only for new park space.
A report first submitted in July recommended sweeping changes to make the policy better reflect the city’s transparency and accountability goals, allow for an expanded range of projects and ensure funds are used in a “fair and consistent manner.”
