This week at Planning and Housing Committee, I presented a Notice of Motion on Tewin. The project was hastily approved last term despite Planning Staff advising against its inclusion in the Urban Boundary expansion. I remain concerned about the lack of consultation, particularly with Indigenous communities, and the significant costs to taxpayers in servicing a community with no existing infrastructure or transit links. Given Ottawa’s surplus of greenfield land, financial challenges, and the need for reconciliation, the motion directs staff to initiate an Official Plan Amendment to remove Tewin’s designation as a future neighborhood, with public consultation and exploration of alternative development locations.
At the Environment and Climate Change Committee, Councillor King introduced a motion on Ottawa’s winter salt use, which I supported. While salt and grit are essential for winter safety, we must balance preventing slips and falls with minimizing environmental and infrastructure impacts. Given concerns from local organizations, the motion asks the City will review its salt use, assess mitigation efforts, and explore integration into the Ottawa River Action Plan, with findings made publicly accessible. The motion passed with Committee’s support, and will come to Council next week, Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Looking ahead to March 31st, there will be a Joint Planning and Housing Committee and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee to discuss Draft 2 of the New Zoning By-law. Council adopted the new Official Plan in 2021, and since then, work has been underway to align the Zoning By-law with its policies. Draft 1 was introduced in April 2024 and released on Engage Ottawa in May, with Draft 3 expected in December 2025. This update is crucial to ensuring zoning regulations support the city’s vision for growth, sustainability, and housing by guiding density near transit, protecting greenspaces, and fostering complete communities. You can read Draft 2 HERE.
As a City Councillor I rely on my excellent team to help me answer your questions and concerns and I have been very fortunate to have amazing hard working staff. Today is one of those moments when I need to say thank you and goodbye to team member Barb Greenberg who will be moving on to work directly for the City of Ottawa as the Program Coordinator for the Partner and Stakeholder Initiatives in the Strategic Initiatives branch. It’s a mouthful title but Barb will be working with city stakeholder groups primarily on Climate Change issues. So proud of you Barb!
It is not uncommon for the City of Ottawa to hire councillor staff because they gain so much experience working on a variety of issues in a councillor’s office. Last fall our long time team member Georgie Gosham-Hamer was offered a job in the City Clerk’s office due to her extensive experience working on city issues. I remain proud of both Georgie and Barb’s achievements in helping Bay Ward residents. I want to take this opportunity to thank Barb for her excellent work assisting residents on transportation, infrastructure and planning issues. Very shortly my office will be sending out a job posting to take on this post. I ask residents to be patient as Sheila, Mary and Sue fill in on these tasks until we find a new team member. Thank you for your understanding.
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