By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, December 19, 2013
OTTAWA — Snowy owls — like Harry Potter’s Hedwig — have come to Eastern Ontario in perhaps the greatest numbers in 40 years.
Forced down from the Arctic by a lack of food, they can be seen in daylight over the farm fields all around Ottawa.
By Laura Mueller, Ottawa Community News, December 13, 2013
Efforts to turn high-speed King Edward Avenue into more of a main street got a boost last week.
The city’s planning committee supported a staff initiative to make King Edward into a traditional main street – eventually. The zoning is now in place to allow buildings approximately six stories, so property owners and developers can now pursue more dense, main street-style developments without having to jump through extra hoops at city hall.
By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, December 18, 2013
OTTAWA — Ontario’s Liberal government should have scrapped the Drive Clean vehicle emissions test program instead of lowering the fee by $5, Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod said Wednesday.
As of April 1, the province will lower the fee to $30 from $35.
Drive Clean is supposed to be a revenue-neutral program to get cars that spew pollution off the road, but it is now turning a profit of $19 million.
By Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen, December 17, 2013
It could be years before Ottawa’s former Domtar lands are transformed into the lively waterfront community the property’s new owners envisage. There are hurdles to overcome first. But clues to what the ambitious project might look like can be found in similar developments across North America.
Cities around the continent have seen urban industrial landscapes turned into vibrant communities in recent years by combining old buildings with new uses. Some, such as Winnipeg’s The Forks, are built on water. Others, such as Toronto’s Distillery District and Portland, Oregon’s Pearl District, are built around restored heritage buildings. Some include housing as well as restaurants, retail and business. Almost all have a cultural element. Many are built around the concepts of environmental sustainability and accessible public space.
By Barry Wellar, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, December 16, 2013
Re: Gas-tax hike a burden to most of province, Dec. 13.
Worse than being an unfair tax burden, the proposed tax will do nothing to correct the traffic congestion problem, which is caused by development approvals over the past 50-plus years, and continuing to this day, that promoted and continue to promote travel throughout the metro Toronto region GTA by private motor vehicle.
By Sarah Anderson, CFRA News, December 17, 2013
The weather outside might be frightful but sledding down a hill is one way to make it delightful and outdoor enthusiasts can now sled on any of the city\'s 56 approved hills.
The city is inviting everyone to enjoy the hills and reminding them to keep safety in mind while they\'re out having fun.
You can find a list of the approved locations, and some safety tips, at Ottawa.ca.
By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, December 17, 2013
OTTAWA — Centretowners driven from their beds by the persistent deep hum of a digging machine chewing a rail tunnel under their homes shouldn’t have to put up with the sound much longer, the deputy city manager in charge of the project says.
But it will go on a few more days and nights, Nancy Schepers told the Citizen by email Tuesday.
By Rachel Collier, Ottawa Citizen, December 16, 2013
OTTAWA — Ottawa is buzzing over the provincial government’s announcement that Ontario wineries will soon be able to sell their goods at farmers’ markets.
Robin Turner, president of the board of the Ottawa Farmers’ Market, said Tuesday he is thrilled about the decision and is excited to have wine in market venues. Local, artisanal wines are important to local food markets, Turner said.
By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, December 17, 2013
When Sam Mizrahi ended a public meeting last Tuesday to address his proposed 12-storey condo project for the northeast corner of Island Park Drive and Wellington Street West, an odd thing happened: the audience broke into applause.
And not for the first time that evening.It’s hardly unusual for a developer to want to erect a taller-than-allowed condo building.