NEWS ARCHIVES

September 11, 2009

Orville Station proposal set to come before Council

A final decision to have the proposed Orville Station development brought before the Ontario Municipal Board will come before Council on September 23 for vote.

At the Planning and Environment Committee, the vote was split evenly, resulting in a “loss” as far as a recommendation goes from the Committee. However, I will continue to fight on behalf of the many residents who have contacted my office in opposition to the proposal.

At the root of the issue are several minor variances the developer requested. The Committee of Adjustment approved fifteen minor variances that permit the proposed development. Following the Committee of Adjustment's decision, I, along with the City Clerk and Solicitor's Department, reviewed the proposed development and, based on that review, filed an appeal of that decision.

Orville Station is a development consisting of 36 residential units and ground floor retail at the intersection of Stittsville Main Street and Orville Street.

I encourage you to submit your thoughts on this item to my office. I can be reached by phone at 613-580-2476 or by e-mail at Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca.

I will share any new information that arises with the community, as well as the results of the Council meeting.
 

GRC celebrates first anniversary

Join the staff of the Goulbourn Recreation Complex for a fun-filled first anniversary on September 19 from 1-4pm.

Several activities are planned including inflatable structures, face painting, demonstrations of classes and a performance by the Junkyard Symphony from 3-4pm.

I hope you and your family can attend what will surely be a great party.
 

City council removes age restriction on student transit passes

City Council has rescinded its decision to cap the age of students eligible to purchase student transit passes. As a result, any full-time student, regardless of age, is now eligible to purchase a student pass.

The change in OC Transpo’s policy will take effect immediately. Students over the age of 27 who have purchased a regular adult photo ID along with a regular adult pass may present themselves to an OC Transpo Pass and Ticket office. They will have two options: They may present their adult pass and photo ID to receive a reimbursement of the difference between the adult fare and the student fare along with a new student photo ID and student pass, with proof of age and registration of full-time status at an educational institution. Or, they may present their adult pass and photo ID the following month and receive a further discount on their new photo ID and student pass, with proof of age and registration of full-time status at an educational institution.

The refunds to students over the age of 27 who have already purchased their passes vary depending on the selection of pass.
 

City seeks feedback on proposed changes service delivery charges

To meet the obligations under the Safe Water Drinking Act, the City must submit a Financial Plan for Drinking Water Services to the Ministry of the Environment demonstrating financial sustainability by July 2010.

As a result, the City is reviewing the method used to recover costs for the delivery of drinking water, sanitary and storm water services. Currently, customers pay a fixed amount for every cubic meter of drinking water consumed ($1.264/m3), and pay a 100 per cent surcharge for sanitary and storm water services. In addition, a fire service charge is levied based upon water meter size.

The proposed changes were first tabled at the Planning and Environment Committee meeting on June 23. Public participation is an important part of the consultation process.

Three options will undergo public review until the end of September 2009. The key difference between the options is how storm water costs are recovered. The three options are:

Option A: Storm water costs would continue to be recovered as part of the sewer charge on the water and sewer bill.

Option B: Storm water costs would be recovered on a citywide basis via property taxes.

Option C: Residents connected to a municipal water supply would continue to pay storm water costs on their water and sewer bill, while those on private water supplies would pay for storm water costs via their property taxes.

Alternatively, the current rate structure could be maintained. Each of the Options A, B, and C include the following:

The water rate and the sewer rate will differ according to the actual costs incurred to deliver the services. For example, the sewer rate would no longer be a 100 percent surcharge applied to the water rate.

A new “base” charge would be introduced. The purpose of the base charge is to recover service costs not related to the amount of water a customer uses, such as meter reading and billing services. The fire service charge would be included in the new base charge.

As part of the public review process, the City will be hosting five public information sessions to discuss the proposed options, answer questions and receive public feedback.

Closest to our community is an information session being held on September 22 from 5-8pm at the Kanata Recreation Complex in the upper hall.
 

OC Transpo's fleet goes green

Council has approved a strategy that will result in a smaller carbon footprint for OC Transpo’s fleet of more than 1,000 vehicles. The updated Transit Vehicle Emissions Reduction Strategy outlines short-, medium- and long-term measures that will be applied over the next 20 years to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Measures the City will take over the next four years include examining the cost of bio-diesel as an alternative fuel, completing the implementation plan for 177 diesel-electric hybrid buses and a series of other efforts.

Over the next five to 10 years, the City’s Transit Vehicle Emissions Reduction Strategy includes expanding the City’s rapid-transit network with near-zero emissions rail vehicles. In the longer term, over the next 11 to 20 years, the City will be focused on converting the bus fleet to near-zero emission technology.
 

Affordable program for low-income women to get active

The City is providing low-income women an affordable opportunity to get fit and feel great. It’s the Woman Alive Program.

Now in its 10th year, Ottawa Public Health, Parks and Recreation, and partners in healthy living are delivering the Woman Alive Program at nine City community and recreation facilities. For a one-dollar contribution for each class, participants can get fit, learn about healthy choices, and meet new people.

For more information on the Woman Alive Program, call the Ottawa Public Health information line at 613-580-6744, visit www.ottawa.ca/health, or contact the Kanata Leisure Centre.
 

Habitat for Humanity drop-off centre established

Waste Management, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, has established a free drop-off centre at the north side of the Carp Road Landfill.

The drop-off centre is open on Thursdays from 8:30am-4:30pm and on Saturdays from 9am-5pm.

Accepted materials include interior and exterior doors, kitchen and bathroom fixtures and cabinets, tiles and flooring, light fixtures, and other building materials. Products not accepted include anything not building-related, damaged building supplies, materials with nails or screws not removed, or paint.

For a complete list or more information, please contact Jody Falls at 613-836-8610.
 

Always listening and acting on your concerns

As your Councillor, I always welcome your keen input and ideas on how we can sustain and improve Stittsville.

 Please contact our office anytime by phone at 613-580-2476 or by e-mail at Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca.

My ward office is located in the Goulbourn Recreation Complex, located at 1500 Shea Road. The hours of operation are Mondays 9-2pm, Wednesdays 3-8pm, Fridays 9-4pm, and Saturday 9-1pm. Please do not hesitate to pay us a visit. I welcome your call or e-mail to arrange an appointment.

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