It’s so nice to be able to bring the Bay Ward Bulletin back into your inbox after a two month hiatus. My team and I look forward to continuing to work with the Bay Ward communities, including our newly minted Bay Ward residents in McKellar Park. A special welcome to you all!
We know how important it is to keep you informed on what is happening in the City and all around Bay Ward. The Bay Ward Bulletin will continue to be sent out on Friday except on major holidays. Please continue to let us know of non-profit and community events you wish to have posted in the bulletin. As always I enjoy being out in the community and look forward to continuing to attend neighbourhood events. I will also keep you posted on upcoming information sessions such as new development applications or Stage 2 LRT updates as needed.
I am planning to hold a drop-in coffee next Friday at from 11am to noon at the Britannia Coffeehouse located at Britannia Road & Howe Street, everyone is welcome to stop by. I hope to have more of these sometimes planned and impromptu meetings at different locations throughout Bay Ward so that everyone in the community has a chance to connect with me face to face.
Much is happening in our city in relation to how we move forward over the next four years. The day after the municipal election, when election signs were still in the ground, the provincial government announced the “More Homes Built Faster Act” (Bill 23). This legislation will effectively eliminate exclusionary zoning for single-family homes and will allow “as of right” three residential units on most land zoned for one home in residential areas without needing a municipal by-law amendment. This includes the existing secondary unit that is already allowable in Ottawa. There is much to unpack in Bill 23 and our city staff have only just received this legislation and will need time to analyze and make recommendations on next steps to City Council. Once this information has been sorted through on how these proposed changes will impact development in the city I hope to have information meetings to keep you informed. At first glance my concern is how the City will fund new infrastructure for such units when there are no or reduced development charges, which previously paid for new infrastructure to serve new development. If you have concerns about Bill 23 you may also wish to contact your Member of Provincial Parliament.
The Public Order Emergencies Act Commission is continuing to examine the use of the Emergencies Act in February. Our downtown core was blocked with trucks during last February’s protest and residents there suffered from endless honking and blocked streets. The question remains on how this situation got to this extreme point and if the Emergencies Act was necessary to end the blockade. As well, we are waiting on the provincial LRT Public Inquiry to release its findings.
Right now I am getting to know my new Council colleagues around the table as well as keeping in touch with my current colleagues. Special thanks to Kitchissippi Councillor Jeff Leiper as our staff work together to pass on the knowledge base of McKellar Park related files. I will be meeting with our new Mayor to discus the priorities of Bay Ward very soon. It helps that he grew up here so he knows our community. I will also be discussing and making decisions on which Council committees to serve on and other responsibilities at the City Council level.
Lots going on! As always I look forward to keeping you informed. Have a great weekend!
