OSWATCH 2003-04 Report
Old Ottawa South Community Association
Annual General Meeting
November 2, 2004
Overview
OSWATCH is the planning and development sub-committee of the Ottawa South Community Association. OSWATCH represents both community and OSCA Board in dealing directly with the City of Ottawa on most planning, development, zoning and traffic issues.
OSWATCH represents the Association at public hearings and meetings of the City's Planning Committee, the Committee of Adjustment, and related regulatory bodies.
On major issues, OSWATCH consults with the broader community and OSCA board prior to providing advice or comments to the City.
2003-04 Activities: Highlights
The implications of Ottawa's new Official Plan and the related financial and infrastructure pressures of a growing city continue to dominate OSWATCH activities. Over the past 5 years, infill development in Old Ottawa South has added approximately 80 new housing units. More are on their way as rising land values spur small-scale land assemblies that allow for densification. East of Riverdale, existing zoning permits most lots with singles to be redeveloped for duplexes or townhouses. Combined with the new Official Plan's urban growth boundary, which is designed to limit further urban sprawl, existing zoning, rising property values, and the attractiveness of Old Ottawa South as a community mean that OSWATCH will continue to be challenged to accommodate competing demands.
On the one hand, densification in Old Ottawa South is very desirable. It brings new residents who support local retail and add to the vibrancy of community life. But on the other hand, if not supported by the City through the provision of adequate resources for community services, densification will not be successful and will simply add pressure to already over-taxed facilities. OSWATCH's interest in this aspect of city planning was evident in its advocacy on behalf of the Sunnyside Branch of the Ottawa Public Library. OSWATCH made the lead presentation when the Ottawa Library Board opened its consultations proposed library branch closures in March 2004.
Similarly, OSWATCH is playing a proactive role in trying to assess the impact of the proposed re-zoning of 88 Bellwood Avenue, site of the former St. Margaret Mary School. OSWATCH sponsored a public meeting on the proposed redevelopment of 88 Bellwood on September 16. Now that a formal application to re-zone 88 Bellwood from institutional to residential land-use has been made, a second public meeting on the issue will take place on November 10. The results of the meeting will be used to advise OSCA on its options, and to provide comments to the City.
Other pressures flowing from Ottawa's growth, which engaged OSWATCH, include concerns arising from traffic. OSWATCH was and is engaged on a number of fronts to ensure that the City works to find an appropriate balance between the needs of vehicular traffic and inner city residents, cyclists and pedestrians. The negative impact of road design that heavily favours vehicles was demonstrated in October 2003, when Matthew Karlinsky, a Carleton University student, was killed crossing Bronson Avenue. His was the second pedestrian death in 5 years on the Old Ottawa South stretch of Bronson Avenue. OSWATCH continues to work with Carleton University and Councillor Doucet's office to try to commission a safety audit of Bronson, which is major barrier to pedestrian access to Carleton and the O-Train.
Similar efforts to find and appropriate balance between quality of life, pedestrian safety and the needs of vehicular traffic are evidenced in long-standing efforts to improve Sunnyside, Riverdale, Bank, Cameron and Aylmer. OSWATCH has sought to participate in these efforts and to monitor and support similar initiatives such as the Glebe Traffic Plan. OSWATCH expects to participate in further consultations on the Glebe Traffic Plan later this year or in early 2005.
A major initiative to preserve residential quality of life that met with some measure of success was OSWATCH's involvement on the issue of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons attempt to expand its parking facilities at 774 Echo Drive. OSWATCH members Dianne Caldbick and Kristin Kendall worked tirelessly to engage their neighbours, the Royal College and City planning staff to ensure that parking lot expansion would have limited negative impact on the community. With advice from a professional planner, they succeeded in reaching an innovative compromise whereby the College's initial proposal of 54 new parking spots, was reduced to 30. The deal also resulted in the preservation of a heritage-designated parcel of land.
In May, OSWATCH supported local residents before the City's Committee of adjustment in arguing that a proposed patio for Patty's Pub only be permitted if it included noise attenuation measures and be limited to 24 seats. The pub sought a license for 48 seats. In the end, a 30-seat patio with noise attenuation requirements was approved.
OWATCH sought to further enhance Bank Street for both business and residents by supporting the City's efforts to improve Bank Street signage. In June the City adopted a report based on an OSWATCH sub-committee's work, led by Glenn Drover, that supports signage that is better oriented for a pedestrian-friendly business district.
Prospects for 2004-04: More of the Same
The proposed re-zoning of 88 Bellwood is indicative of the types of issues that will occupy OSWATCH in the near future. As the City's population grows and traffic congests, central neighbourhoods such as Old Ottawa South become even more attractive places to live and develop. However, good planning must ensure that growth does not undermine quality of life. Over-crowed facilities and increased vehicular traffic that endangers pedestrians are potential downsides. While supporting densification, OSWATCH will need to work hard to ensure that proposals for new develop enhance the community. Actualizing some of the measures identified in the 2003 Bank Street Zoning and Urban Design Study will be both a goal and challenge. To this end, OSWATCH will attempt to hold at least two public education events to discuss what the new Official Plan may mean for Old Ottawa South and broader trends in urban planning.
In addition, OSWATCH will encourage both new and existing members to take part in public education events such as ones sponsored by the City and the Carleton University School of Architecture.
Anyone interested in planning, traffic or development issues, is invited to join us. OSWATCH meets the second Thursday of each month.
Leo B. Doyle, Chair, OSWATCH
OSWATCH Membership 2003-04
Leo B. Doyle, Chair
Cathryn Bjerkelund
Dianne Caldbick
Don Cummer
Glenn Drover
Michael Jenkin
Kristen Kendall
W.F. Lillico
Brendan McCoy
Lis Smidt
Brian Tansey