City Council re-opened the Urban Boundary Expansion issue Wed. Feb. 24, 2010, causing a flurry of responses from various community groups, including OSCA President Michael Jenkin, who wrote a letter to the Mayor and Council. The motion to expand the boundary failed, and the number of hectares to be allowed will remain the same for now. The following is the text of Michael Jenkin's letter.
Dear Mayor and Councillors,
We understand the Council is discussing a motion on Wednesday to re-open the question of allowing development beyond the current urban boundary. We also understand that after full and careful debate the Council decided not long ago to reaffirm the current boundary and prohibit development beyond it.
We are extremely concerned that this issue is being re-opened. Promoting further expansion in development outside the boundary, when there remains significant developable land within the existing urban boundary, is only going to increase the costs of municipal services and infrastructure provision, reduce our ability to capitalize on forthcoming investments in transit and on past experience, add to overall operating costs with out commensurate revenue generation. In short, a recipe for increased taxes, and less productive and effective municipal services.
Sincerely,
Michael Jenkin
President
Old Ottawa South Community Association