What happened at Ottawa city council: Medical Arts rezoning on hold
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, July 8, 2015

(,,,) Council has agreed to reduce the speed limit on a stretch of Blair Road between Meadowbrook Drive and Innes Road to 50 km/h from 70 km/h. Blair serves as an arterial street in that stretch, but it’s also home to half a dozen single-family dwellings, according to Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney, who requested the change. via What happened at Ottawa city council: Medical Arts rezoning on hold | Ottawa Citizen.

Ottawa Council endorses $3B plan for light rail expansion
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, July 8, 2015

Approving the ambitious $3-billion plan to extend light-rail service by 2023 was a historic moment for Ottawa, Mayor Jim Watson said Wednesday. “After years and years of debate, we’re actually moving forward to get the train going farther east, farther west and down south,” he said, adding the work will build on the success of the Confederation line currently under construction. via Ottawa Council endorses $3B plan for light rail expansion | Ottawa Citizen.

Cash-in-lieu changes deferred to August

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Community News, July 7, 2015

Residents will have to wait a while longer to see if development funds can be used to repair and renew parks across the city.

The planning committee deferred its decision on changes to the cash-in-lieu of parklands policy until its meeting on Aug. 25, to give councillors more time to really get to know the issue.

“There’s a number of councillors who have questions and have suggestions to build upon (the staff) report,” said Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley, who moved the motion. “It’s to give us some time to get some more information to make the right decision on the policy.”

Smoke from western forest fires blowing through Ottawa
Ottawa & Region
News

By Corey Larocque, Ottawa Sun, July 7, 2015

Ottawa, smoke gets in your eyes. Ontario fire information officer Shayne McCool says it's "very possible" Ottawans are noticing a hazy sky caused by the forest fires burning in western Canada. Based in Sudbury, McCool works for the Aviation, Forest Fires and Emergency Services division of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Q: Is it possible smoke from forest fires in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C. is being detected as far away as Ottawa? A: "Very possible... We are getting the smoke drifting into our province from those areas... You may see a haze or (detect) the smell of smoke." Q: There are forest fires burning in northern Ontario. How can we know smoke in eastern Ontario is from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C.? A: "The fires we have (in Ontario) are not putting off as much smoke." The ministry uses computer modelling to forecast where smoke from forest fires will travel. "A lot of it goes with the wind direction." Q: How many fires are burning in Ontario's northeastern area? A: There nine forest fires burning, but seven of them in the far north are being "observed." They're letting them burn because of the ecological benefits of rejuvenation. Only two fires in the northeast are being "actioned" by firefighters. Q: As western fires continue to burn, will haze in parts of Ontario get worse before it gets better? A: "There's no way to predict what we can expect." It depends on the weather conditions in the western provinces and the amount of rain. Twitter: @Corey_Larocque Reader's comments » By adding a comment on the site, you accept our terms and conditions and our netiquette rules. Sponsored Links Locations EAST 4 Lorry Greenberg 613-739-777 WEST 1105 Cobden 613-828-2828 www.beneci.com Moments Manor Memory Care - Respite - Trial Stays symphonyseniorliving.com Teeth Whitening Special Everyone Deserves a Brighter Smile 613-224-6355 See All Sponsored Links via Smoke from western forest fires blowing through Ottawa | Ottawa & Region | News.

Bon Echo wind farm in Addington Highlands one step closer to reality - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, July 7, 2015

Plans for a large wind farm southwest of Renfrew are closer to becoming reality after local politicians voted Monday to strike down a motion to kill the controversial project. Two companies, NextEra Energy and RES Canada, have proposed building some 200 turbines in Addington Highlands Township in the Bon Echo Park area. via Bon Echo wind farm in Addington Highlands one step closer to reality - Ottawa - CBC News.

Kanata couple angered by city order to change veggie garden - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, July 7, 2015

An Ottawa couple who maintain a small vegetable and herb garden next to the sidewalk in front of their home say they're saddened and frustrated after a bylaw officer gave them until July 30 to remove the wooden structures around it. Will Needham Kanata garden veggies July 7 2015 "It's maintained, it's not overgrown, people comment on it every night, daily. It looks nice and I don't want to move it," says Will Needham, seen here watering the garden. (CBC) "It's just not going to happen. When they come on July 30 I'll sit on my garden and I won't move," said Will Needham, who tends the garden with Shannon Lough. via Kanata couple angered by city order to change veggie garden - Ottawa - CBC News.

Raaymakers: Kanata residents aren’t entitled to no-fuss nature
Ottawa Citizen

By Peter Raaymakers, Ottawa Citizen, July 7, 2015

When you build houses beside wetlands in a boreal forest, you’re going to have a lot of mosquitos living there, too. That’s a reality that residents of the newest parts of Ottawa’s Kanata Lakes community are learning first-hand. The Kizell Wetlands, which contain the Kanata Beaver Pond and are part of the much-discussed South March Highlands, are located right next to one of the newest communities in Kanata Lakes. They are also, since 2011, provincially protected wetlands that provide habitat for a variety of protected species. They also provide ideal habitat for nuisance species, including mosquitos, and nearby residents have launched a petition urging the city to do something to address the mosquito populations that “have been harassing the residents of this area, day and night, in the summer ever since this community was built.” via Raaymakers: Kanata residents aren’t entitled to no-fuss nature | Ottawa Citizen.

Reevely: Ontario’s non-public public consultation on infrastructure
Ottawa Citizen

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, July 7, 2015

With one day to go before the Ontario government holds a consultation in Ottawa on what to spend billions in infrastructure money on, the province has revealed where and when you can go to have your say. Although the fact of the consultation and the July 8 date was announced in May, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Economic Development has waited till pretty much the last possible moment for specifics, a fact some people noticed. via Reevely: Ontario’s non-public public consultation on infrastructure | Ottawa Citizen.

Sandy Hill tower approved despite community concerns
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, July 7, 2015

The city’s planning committee on Tuesday voted in favour of a 14-storey tower on Rideau Street despite concerns such an approval would erode public confidence in the value of neighbourhood design plans. Richcraft Homes wants to construct buildings of seven and 14 storeys at 538, 544 and 560 Rideau St., as well as a 3 1/2-storey low-rise apartment at 501 Besserer St., which is a slim parcel of land connected to the Rideau Street property. via Sandy Hill tower approved despite community concerns | Ottawa Citizen.

The UpBeat: Hidden Harvest looking for neighbourhood leaders as fruit season begins
Ottawa Citizen

By Anaïs Voski, Ottawa Citizen, July 7, 2015

  Hidden Harvest, an Ottawa-based group dedicated to picking and sharing fruits and nuts that would otherwise go to waste, is looking for neighbourhood leaders as the summer heads into harvest season. The group harvests trees for people who are unable or unwilling to do it, and in exchange the homeowner gets one quarter of the harvest, while the rest is split equally between the food bank, the group and the volunteers. Last year, it held 48 harvests, which produced 5,200 pounds of food. via The UpBeat: Hidden Harvest looking for neighbourhood leaders as fruit season begins | Ottawa Citizen.

Reevely: Any crackdown on Uber is going to have to be done the hard way
Ottawa Citizen

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, July 7, 2015

If the city wants to crack down on Uber, the only way to do it is with time-consuming stings on drivers, thanks to a new Ontario court ruling that Uber itself isn’t an illegal taxi company. If the decision had gone the other way, it would have meant cities like Toronto and Ottawa could have gone after the company itself. Traditional taxi drivers in both cities are demanding that, because Uber’s smartphone-based ride-booking service is shredding their business. Their union reps warn that they’re going broke and might just go “out of control” one day. via Reevely: Any crackdown on Uber is going to have to be done the hard way | Ottawa Citizen.
Email:
Phone: 613 860 5353
Address:
123 Slater St, Floor 6
Ottawa, ON K1P 5H2