Happy New Year!

/
We hope you have had the chance to take in the beautiful lights in Richmond's Memorial Park!

We hope you have had the chance to take in the beautiful lights in Richmond's Memorial Park!

Happy New Year Rideau-Goulbourn! As we embark on a new year, I do so with new responsibilities at City Hall. In December, Council approved the roles and responsibilities for the new term of council. After serving last term as Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, I had the privilege of being named the Chair of the Environment Committee. Subsequently, I brought forward a Notice of Motion to change the name of that committee to the Standing Committee on Water, Waste and Environmental Protection. The intent is to ensure that the name of the committee reflects the broad mandate of the committee and its key priorities.

As for other responsibilities, I will continue to sit on Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, Finance & Economic Development Committee and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority. I will also be joining the Ottawa Community Housing Board and the Planning Committee.

2019 Town Hall Series

In the coming weeks, our office will be hosting a series of town hall meetings to help kick off the term of Council. We will host these meetings in Burritt’s Rapids, Pierce’s Corners, Kars, North Gower, Stittsville, Richmond, Munster, Ashton, Manotick, Country Club Village, Fallowfield Village and in the Quinn’s Pointe community in Barrhaven. These meetings will take place between January 9th and March 5th.

The intent of these meetings will be to look at what issues are present currently in our communities, what priorities we want to focus on and any other matters that residents feel requires our attention. It is also an opportunity to discuss how best we can improve communication. We have a number of new initiatives we are going to bring forward in order to better serve our residents. Included in that will be drop in meetings where residents can stop by and visit with our team. We will rotate these meetings around the ward every two weeks.

For the Town Hall meetings, we have the following meetings scheduled:

  • January 9th: Canadian Golf & Country Club, 7:00pm

  • January 12th: St. Patrick’s Church, 10:00am

  • January 15th: Manotick Arena, 7:00pm

  • January 19th: Burritt’s Rapids Community Hall, 10:00am

  • January 23rd: Munster Community Centre, 7:00pm

  • January 28th: North Gower Client Service Centre, 7:00pm

  • February 4th: St. Benedict Elementary School, 7:00pm

  • February 6th: Ashton Christ Church, 7:00pm

  • February 13th: Kars Recreation Centre, 7:00pm

  • February 19th: St. Philip’s Parish Hall, 7:00pm

  • February 26th: Marlborough Community Hall, 7:00pm

  • March 5th: Goulbourn Town Hall, 7:00pm

I very much look forward to these meetings, as does our team. I hope you will be able to attend.

 *****

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

ARAC Agenda, Canada Day in Rideau-Goulbourn & Order of Ottawa Nominations

/
Canada Day.jpg

Our next meeting of Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee is coming up on Thursday, July 5th. As usual, we meet at Ben Franklin Place in the Council Chambers at 10:00 am. The agenda for this meeting includes the following items:

  • Commemorative Naming: Mike O’Neil Arena
  • By-Law: 4837 Albion Road, 4910 Bank Street
  • Zoning Amendment: 4835 Bank Street
  • Zoning Amendment: 2683 Mackey Road
  • Richmond West Municipal Well System

Pertaining to Rideau-Goulbourn, the zoning amendment for 2683 Mackey Road is simply a surplus farm severance application where the retained lands are zoned to prohibit residential uses as the creation of a new building lot in the agricultural zone is not permitted. The report on the Richmond West Municipal Well System is to recognize the new well system within the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan. For every communal well system in rural Ottawa, there is an identified area that is to be protected to ensure clean drinking water. Property owners within the area of potential risk are notified and informed how they can reduce the risk to the system.

The commemorative naming application for Mike O’Neil Arena pertains to the Manotick Community Centre. Recently, an application was received to name the arena inside the Community Centre as the Mike O’Neil Arena to recognize his many contributions to the community of Manotick, specifically in the hockey community. Most recently, Mr. O’Neil spearheaded the initiative to expand the arena, working alongside various community organizations.

Canada Day in Rideau-Goulbourn

There are many ways to celebrate Canada Day but in Rideau-Goulbourn, we have two great community events to help celebrate our 151st birthday. The two events are Canada Day in the Gower and the Munster Canada Day Extravaganza. The North Gower event features activities all day long at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre while in Munster, festivities will occur at the Community Centre.

2018 Order of Ottawa Nominations

The Order of Ottawa recognizes the professional achievements and outstanding service of exceptional Ottawa residents. This prestigious civic award honours up to 15 of Ottawa’s most deserving individuals each year. Any resident of Ottawa who has made a significant contribution in a professional capacity that has been of benefit to our community may be nominated.

Nominations for the Order of Ottawa or the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching may be completed online or by filling out a nomination form in pamphlets that are available at the City Hall Information Desk, and at your local community centre, public library, or at any client service centre. The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 7 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Nominations will be considered every year for five consecutive years from the date of submission.

More information on both awards can be found online at  ottawa.ca/orderofottawa.

Nominations by immediate family members, self-nominations, and posthumous nominations will not be accepted. Elected municipal, provincial and federal officials are not eligible to be considered for this award while they are in office.

*****

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

June's ARAC Agenda, Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program & Upcoming Events

/
  The first barn quilt was installed on the dining hall in Richmond! This barn quilt is to celebrate the loyalist settlers of Richmond... red and grey for the uniforms, yellow and green for the fields of corn and blue for the Mighty Jock River. Thanks to Peter and Alison Tranter for the picture!

 The first barn quilt was installed on the dining hall in Richmond! This barn quilt is to celebrate the loyalist settlers of Richmond... red and grey for the uniforms, yellow and green for the fields of corn and blue for the Mighty Jock River. Thanks to Peter and Alison Tranter for the picture!

While the immediate focus is on Dickinson Day weekend, I would like to look ahead to next week’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meeting. The Thursday, June 7th agenda includes the following items:

  • Floodplain Mapping Updates
  • Surplus Farm Severance Zoning: 1670 Lockhead Road
  • Temporary Zoning Amendment: 4041 Moodie Drive
  • Surplus Farm Severance Zoning: 6420 First Line Road

After a few months of busy meetings with the Cranberry Creek, Hard Rock Casino Ottawa, Site Alteration By-Law and the Carlsbad Springs waste recovery facility, this is a fairly light agenda in comparison.

The report on the floodplain mapping recommends approving updates to the zoning by-law to reflect new floodplain mapping conducted by the Conservation Authorities. Lands affected are within the watersheds of Constance Creek, the Ottawa River near Constance Bay, Huntley Creek, Feedmill Creek and the Rideau River between the Ottawa River and Burritt’s Rapids. The temporary zoning amendment for 4041 Moodie Drive will allow Ottawa Fire Services to continue using the City-owned site as a training facility.

As usual, we meet at Ben Franklin Place in the Nepean Council Chambers and our meetings begin at 10:00am.

Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program

The Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program (ORCWP) provides funding to landowners and non-profit organizations for projects that protect surface water and groundwater quality.

Grants of up to $15,000 are available for 18 kinds of projects related to nutrient management, soil protection, water management, land stewardship, and education and innovation. 

Farmers from rural and urban Ottawa along with landowners within rural Ottawa are eligible to apply. Approved applicants must complete a 3rd or 4th Edition Environmental Farm Plan (farm projects), or Healthy Home Guidebook (non-farm projects). Canadian Organic Certification is also accepted for some farm projects. Non-profit organizations can apply for education and innovation projects.

Applications will be accepted through the Land Owner Resource Centre, which works in partnership with the Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, and South Nation Conservation Authorities and the City of Ottawa. 

Contact the Land Owner Resource Centre at 613-692-3571 or toll free at 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1136. Visit www.ottawa.ca/cleanwater to see a full list of eligible projects and to download an application form.

The Big Give

Amidst Dickinson Days weekend, June 2nd is the date of the 2018 Big Give. Every year, churches across the country use this day to bless their neighbourhoods through a unified day of giving.  It is not a garage sale. They are not raising money. Everything is free. It is their way of helping those in need.

This year, Manotick’s newest church, the Manotick Community Church, will be taking part for the third time.  This Saturday, drop by 5492 South River Drive, former Manotick Medical Centre, between 8:00am and 1:00pm.  They will also have free muffins and coffee in the morning and free hot dogs at lunch.  Most importantly, they will have a parking lot FULL of free stuff to choose from.

The Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in North Gower is also participating at their home, 6556 Prince of Wales Drive.

2018 Food Aid Day and Mayor’s Rural Expo

This annual tradition and significant fundraiser takes place this year on Friday, June 1st between 10:00am and 2:00pm at Ottawa City Hall. The event is an opportunity for urban residents to get a taste of rural Ottawa and while they are there, partake in a fundraiser BBQ cooked by THE WORKS.

The cost of the BBQ lunch is $10 and includes a burger, side and drink (debit, credit or cash will be accepted). Music will be provided by New Country 94. As always, the event will also feature the celebrity cow milking competition.

The rural tradeshow, kicking off at 10:00am, features farmers, businesses and organizations promoting unique goods and services. Booths will be located at Marion Dewar Plaza and inside City Hall at Jean Pigott Place.

Last year the event raised $106,000 in support of Food Aid; a program run by the Ottawa Food Bank to purchase and process beef from local farmers. Beef adds nutritious protein to the diets of families requiring this support while boosting the domestic market for cattle.

Doors Open Ottawa

Doors Open Ottawa, a free annual architectural event that celebrates our community’s built heritage, is back! On June 2nd and 3rd, you can explore over 140 unique buildings that have shaped the Ottawa landscape, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, Hydro Ottawa’s new Hydroelectric facility at Chaudière Falls, the Global Centre for Pluralism, and the Bank of Canada.

Local participants include Dickinson House, Watson’s Mill, Rideau Archives, Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and the Goulbourn Museum.

For disability-related accommodation required to participate fully in this event, please contact the City at [email protected] or call 3-1-1. For more information on this event, please visit Ottawa.ca/doorsopen.

North Gower Farmers’ Market

The North Gower Farmers’ Market is now open! You can visit the market at 2397 Roger Stevens Drive between 8:30am and 1:00pm on Saturdays until October 6th. For more details, please visit www.northgowerfarmersmarket.wordpress.com.

*****

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, ARAC Review & Upcoming Events in Rideau-Goulbourn

/
ENews.jpg

Similar to last month, the publish date of the Messenger during the first week of May does not align with the release of the agenda for our May 3rd meeting of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. Although not completely set, the agenda will include the revisions to the Site Alteration By-Law that will improve clarity and remove ambiguity surrounding the agricultural exemption and some of the definitions. The agenda is also expected to include the Zoning By-Law Amendment for the Rideau Carleton Raceway property, which is a major step in the Hard Rock Casino development. Please be sure to sign up for our e-Newsletter, if you have not already, as the complete agenda will be sent out next week.

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

The Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is now accepting applications for summer student positions. Please note that these jobs are still pending approval, expected in mid to late April, under the Canada Summer Jobs program.

To be eligible under the program, students must:

  • be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;
  • have been registered as a full-time student during the preceding academic year;
  • intend to return to school on a full-time basis during the next academic year;
  • be a student in a secondary, post-secondary, CEGEP (Quebec only), vocational or technical program;
  • be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act* and;
  • be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial / territorial legislation and regulations

The positions are:

To apply, send your resume; covering letter, including your availability and eligibility under the Canada Summer Jobs program; and two references by email to [email protected]. Only complete applications will be accepted. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Scott Moffatt Golf 4 Youth Classic

The Scott Moffatt Golf 4 Youth Classic is back! The tournament will be on Friday, July 6th at the Canadian Golf and Country Club. Last year, this event raised over $20,000 for Youth of Manotick Association and the Richmond Youth Centre! We are currently in the process of obtaining sponsorships for the tournament. If you are interested or would like more details, please contact our office and we can connect you with the tournament organizers. Furthermore, if you are interested in participating, you can buy tickets at golf4youth.ca.

Community Dancing in Manotick

Interested in a fun, interactive session of dance, laughter & music? Join the Ever Hopeful Stringband and caller Pippa Hall for a family-friendly, alcohol-free evening of community dancing, including circles, squares and contras. This evening of fun takes places at the Manotick United Church on Friday, April 27th  from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Each dance is taught and the whole family is invited. The evening begins with simple dances, followed by dances that build on skills as the evening progresses. Admission is $10, $5 for those aged 12-18, and children under 12 are free. There is a family max admission of $20. For more information, please call 613-692-4576. http://dance.manotick.net

7th Annual Zumba MS Fundraiser

The 7th Annual Zumba Multiple Sclerosis Fundraiser is taking place at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre in North Gower on Friday, April 27th. Admission is $10. All process go to the MS Society. Donations of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt. The event begins at 7:00pm but you are encouraged to arrive early to sign the waiver form. The evening will also feature a live auction and plenty of door prizes.

*****

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

October’s ARAC Agenda, 2018 Budget Consultation & More

/
ARAC.jpg

The next meeting of Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee is coming up on Thursday, October 5th. Agenda items at this upcoming meeting include the following:

  • Zoning By-Law Amendments for:
    • 3719 Dunrobin Road (West Carleton)
    • 1156 Jinkinson Road (Rideau-Goulbourn)
    • 5721, 5731, 5741 Manotick Main Street (Rideau-Goulbourn)
  • Boundary Road Agreement Report
  • Rural Coach Houses on Private Services
  • Carp Airport Development
  • Thomas Gamble Municipal Drain (Osgoode)
  • Kilroe Municipal Drain (Barrhaven)

The Zoning By-Law Amendment for 1156 Jinkinson Road is an expansion of Cavanagh’s Henderson Quarry. Already approved through the Province’s Aggregate Resources Act, the amendment changes the zoning from Mineral Reserve (MR) to Mineral Extraction (ME). A portion of the MR zone will also change to Environmental Protection (EP3) as a buffer between the quarry and the neighbouring wetland.

The Zoning By-Law Amendment for Manotick Main Street is the Regional Group/eqHomes development on the southern edge of Manotick, along the Rideau River. This property is in between Island View Road and Kelly Marie Drive. The Draft Plan of Subdivision was already approved by the City of Ottawa and this report deals specifically with the zoning of the property. That approval has been appealed and I am working with the appellant and the developer to resolve those issues. The appellant is well within their rights to have appealed, I agree with the basis of that appeal and I am confident we can resolve the matter.
 
The current zoning for 5721, 5731 and 5741 Manotick Main Street allows for detached dwellings. The proposed zoning, which aligns itself with the Manotick Secondary Plan, will allow the development of detached dwellings as well as townhome dwellings. Another element of the zoning amendment is to reduce required setbacks and increase the maximum lot coverage. The reason for this is because of the development being entirely bungalows. Bungalows require a larger footprint.
 
The report on coach houses deals specifically with coach houses being developed in the rural area on private services, i.e.: well and septic. The report attempts to soften some of the requirements imposed last year for those wishing to build a coach house on their property. For properties on municipal services, one just requires a building permit. The development on private services is a little more complex because well and septic capacity have to be considered.

The Boundary Road Agreement report deals with all of the roads that the City of Ottawa shares with our neighbouring municipalities, including North Grenville, Montague Township, Beckwith Township and Lanark County. It sets out maintenance responsibility agreements between the various partners. One such road that has caused concern is Ashton Station Road. This report is aimed at addressing maintenance issues between the City and Beckwith. As of right now, Beckwith has not agreed but the City of Ottawa continues to work with them on the agreement.

The agenda and all reports are available at Ottawa.ca.  

RCVA Tree Planing Program 

Money is available to landowners interested in planting trees. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority offers private landowners tree planting programs that help them get technical advice, planting plans and funding for trees.
 
To be eligible, landowners need at least one acre of land and are willing to plant a minimum of 500 trees. If you have the space, RVCA can help get trees growing on your land for 15 cents a tree. Since 1983, RVCA has planted over 5.25 million trees on private property for landowners. For more information please visit the RVCA’s website.

Richmond Forcemain Project Update

As many of you are aware, the Richmond Forcemain Project has been ongoing for much of 2017. Over the next few weeks, City Staff will be preparing for the abandonment of the old 200mm forcemain that runs from the Richmond Sewage Pumping Station along Royal York Street, Chanonhouse Drive and goes through Chanonhouse Park and connects to the lagoons. This abandonment will be completed by excavating a series of approximately nine pits between the Pumping Station and the Lagoons and filling the old forcemain with grout.
 
The City of Ottawa inspector for the forcemain will go door-to-door to briefly discuss the work, timelines and reinstatement work with residents that are in direct proximity of a pit. Placement of topsoil and seeding is ongoing between King Street and Eagleson Road. Chain link fence installation along the rear of the properties on Dallaire Crescent and installation of the granular access road from Eagleson Road to the west limit of lagoon cell ‘C’ is ongoing. Deficient work inside valve chambers on the 300mm and 600mm forcemains along the Jock River from the Condominium building at 68 King Street to the lagoons is ongoing.
 
The Parking lot on Eagleson Road near Barnsdale Road is now open. Trails remain closed within the project limits and fencing and signage are being maintained in the construction zone.

*****

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

September's ARAC Meeting & Proposed Site Alteration By-Law

/
ARAC.jpg

With the return of the school year comes the return of our regular committee schedule. During the summer months, Council will place all of the regular July meetings in the first two weeks of the month and place all of the August meetings toward the end of the month, thus creating somewhat of a break from Committee work. September 7th will be our next Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee following our last meeting in early July.

Agenda items for this meeting include:

  • Zoning Amendment – 3926 Milton Road (Cumberland)
  • Zoning Amendment – 3455 Milton Road (Cumberland)
  • Zoning Amendment – 6690 Mitch Owens (Osgoode)
  • Zoning Amendment – 1430 Dunning Road (Cumberland) 
  • Appointment of a Drainage Engineer for Wilson-Cowan Municipal Drain

Also included is a report that includes some zoning by-law amendments to accommodate reconstruction efforts in parts of the city that were impacted by the severe flooding in May of this year. Another report is a quarterly Omnibus Zoning By-Law Amendment report, which we will receive a brief presentation on with regard to any impacts in the rural area.

As always, ARAC meetings are held at Ben Franklin Place in Centrepointe in the former Nepean Council Chambers. Our meetings begin at 10:00am. All of the items listed above are available for review at Ottawa.ca or through our monthly e-Newsletter, which you can sign up for at RideauGoulbourn.ca.

Proposed Site Alteration By-Law

Last year, the City of Ottawa began a review of the current City By-Laws that regulate site alteration activities. Over the last several months, City staff have engaged with local residents, farming organizations and environmental groups to create a new Site Alteration By-Law for the City of Ottawa. The City’s goal with this new by-law is to prevent drainage problems, protect the productivity of soils in designated Agricultural Resource Areas, protect designated natural areas and other identified natural heritage features (such as significant woodlands and valleylands) from negative impacts, reduce the risk of root damage to City-owned trees or other trees protected under the City’s tree by-laws and to establish basic rules for how site alteration is done, to avoid impacts to neighbours and the environment. Ultimately, the driving force behind this proposal is the impacts on agricultural lands by those wishing to development. In some cases, we have seen land manipulation in an effort to downgrade land from agricultural to a use more compatible with development. One thing I would like to see in this by-law is an outright exemption for normal agricultural activities. That exemption doesn’t yet exist.

I would encourage any landowner or resident who has an interest in site alteration activities to review the draft by-law which is available on Ottawa.ca and to provide your feedback to City staff. As always, you can contact my office to receive a copy of the draft by-law, or to provide your comments. It is very important that the City received a variety of feedback on this matter from all parties impacted.

*****

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

ARAC Agenda & RVCA Conducting Hazard Mapping Studies

/

Our next meeting of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee is on Thursday, July 6th. It will be the last meeting of the Committee until the first week of September. As usual, we meet at Ben Franklin Place in the old Nepean Council Chambers and the meeting begins at 10:00am. Agenda items include:

Zoning Amendment: 5514 Manotick Main Street
Zoning Amendment: 4711 Rockdale Road
Zoning Amendment: 1260 Loeper Street
Zoning Amendment: 9391 Parkway Road
Zoning Amendment: 1353 Scharfgate Drive
Road Allowance Closure between 1792 & 1818 Old Prescott Road
Appointment of Engineer: Tompkins Diversion Municipal Drain

There is an additional item on the agenda that is sensitive in nature and will be discussed In Camera. It involves a litigious matter dealing with a property in Osgoode Ward.

Only two of the agenda items emanate from Rideau-Goulbourn and they are both zoning applications within the village of Manotick. 5514 Manotick Main Street is a new three storey office/commercial building at the corner of Bridge Street and Manotick Main Street. 1353 Scharfgate is a development application from Cavanagh and John Gerard Homes in the pre-existing development off of First Line Road. The address is misleading as the current property does not, and will not, have access onto Scharfgate Drive.

The agenda and associated reports can be found online at Ottawa.ca.

RVCA Conducting Hazard Mapping Studies

During the last five years, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) has been conducting several hazard mapping studies on watercourses within the City of Ottawa and the RVCA area of jurisdiction. For some watercourses, old mapping will be updated; and for others, hazards maps will be created for the first time. Studies look at identifying two main types of hazards along the watercourses: flood risk and slope stability risk.

These studies are being done through a collaboration involving the City of Ottawa and the Rideau Valley, Mississippi Valley and South Nation Conservation Authorities. The City recognized a need to update its zoning schedules based on up-to-date flood risk mapping, and has provided contributions enabling the Conservation Authorities to move ahead with these studies sooner than would otherwise be possible.

Slope stability studies make use of new, highly detailed topographic data to identify toe and top of slope. This information is used to create an allowance area that serve as a flag of potentially unstable slope areas.

Currently, the RVCA is focusing its efforts on the following streams:

  • Flowing Creek (Flewellyn Road to Jock River)
  • Hobbs Drain (Fallowfield Road to Jock River)
  • Kings Creek (Brunton Side Road to Jock River)
  • Nichols Creek (Montague Boundary Road to Jock River)
  • Rideau River (Hogs Back to Kars)
  • Rideau River (Kars to Burritts Rapids)

Historical records, news clippings, photographs and local anecdotal stories and memories of past flood events can be useful in confirming the reasonableness of the calculations and resulting floodplain mapping. Local residents with this kind of information are encouraged to share their information and knowledge with RVCA’s Ferdous Ahmed (613-692-3571 ext. 1170 or [email protected]).

Those interested in learning more about the project or being included on our contact list are also encouraged to contact the RVCA. Once the technical work for individual study areas is complete and hazard mapping has been prepared, a public information session will be held to collect public feedback.  Any new information or comments will be taken into consideration in further refinement of the mapped hazard limits. 

*****

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

ARAC, 5514 Manotick Main Street Update & Community Events

/

After a couple of lighter agendas, the May the Fourth be with you meeting of Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee has a few more items on it. As usual, the meeting is held at 10:00 am at Ben Franklin Place. Agenda items include the following:

  • Commemorative Naming Proposal: Ronald Warren Ball Diamond (Osgoode)
  • Housekeeping Amendment to Coach House Policies
  • Official Plan Amendment: 2715, 2777 Tenth Line Road, 810 Wall Road, 2390, 2484, 2656 Trim Road
  • Zoning By-Law Amendments: 6202 Nick Adams Road, 3400 & 3468 Old Montreal Road, 1156 – 1170 March Road, 3746 Larry Robinson Road, 6840 Rideau Valley Drive South, 557 & 577 Jinkinson Road
  • Partial Abandonment of Staidler Municipal Drain
  • Omnibus Zoning Amendments

The item on Coach Houses is just some minor changes to the policy. I continue to work with staff on addressing the main issues relating to the requirements for a hydrogeological study and Site Plan Control. Similarly, the Omnibus report includes minor changes to certain properties and by-laws, including a property in Richmond that was incorrectly rezoned during the 2010 Richmond Community Design Plan process.

The Official Plan Amendment for Tenth Line Road, Wall Road and Trim Road is an application to re-designate agricultural lands to general rural. The recommendation is to refuse the application. The Zoning By-Law Amendments on Larry Robinson Road and Rideau Valley Drive South are to prohibit residential uses following approval of surplus farm severances. The Zoning By-Law Amendment for 557 & 577 Jinkinson Road is to permit Rural General Industrial uses on portions of the properties that are setback from the natural heritage features on the properties. A large portion of this property is already zoned Rural General Industrial.

The abandonment of a portion of the Staidler Municipal Drain includes a section north of Mackey Road and includes the Brooks Branch. A request for abandonment must be made by owners representing no less than 75% of the area assessed for benefit under the by-law for the drain. That has been met in this request. This item was originally on the March agenda but was deferred.

The full agenda with reports is available at Ottawa.ca. Every month, our office also sends out an e-Newsletter with the agenda and link to the reports, among other information. You can sign up for these at www.rideaugoulbourn.ca. Our next one will be sent out this Friday, April 28th.

5514 Manotick Main Street Update

Two weeks ago, I provided an update on the property that used to be home to the Falls House. As many have likely seen, there is a new retail/office building proposed for the site. Since last year, a group of community leaders has been assisting me in working with the owner of the property. Just last week, this same group had the opportunity to sit down and discuss the proposed design with the owner and the architect.

At the meeting, the architect presented some revisions to the design which responded to some of the comments we have been hearing from the community. Those present felt more improvements could be made to help soften the look of the building and make it more of a feature in the village, knowing the importance of this site. As a result, the owner and architect have agreed to look at further revisions. This work has already commenced and we will be updated as soon as possible.

Please stay tuned to this column for further updates. More information on the background and current application for 5514 Manotick Main Street are available at www.rideaugoulbourn.ca/fallshouse.

Community Dancing in Manotick

On Friday, April 28th, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm, come on out to the Manotick United Church and enjoy a fun, interactive session of dance, laughter & music. Join the Ever Hopeful Stringband and caller Pippa Hall for a family-friendly, alcohol-free evening of community dancing, including circles, squares and contras. Each dance is taught and the whole family is invited. The evening begins with simple dances, followed by dances that build on skills as the evening progresses. Admission is $10; $5 for those aged 12-18; participants under 12 are free. There is also a family maximum admission of $20. For information, please call 613-692-4576 or visit http://dance.manotick.net.

Scott Moffatt Golf4Youth Classic

Join me on July 7th for the Scott Moffatt Golf4Youth Classic Presented by Caivan Communities at the Canadian Golf & Country Club. It promises to be a fun day for the whole family with all proceeds going directly to the Youth of Manotick Association (YOMA) and the Richmond Youth Centre (RYC). I would love for you to participate!

We are also acquiring sponsorships and silent auction donations. If you are a local business and want to be involved in this event, please contact me and we’ll find an exciting way to get you involved.

For more details or to register, visit www.golf4youth.ca. Hopefully we can make this a successful event that will benefit our youth and families all across Rideau-Goulbourn.

*****

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.