In these past few weeks we’ve seen updates for the both the Lincoln Fields Secondary Plan and the Pinecrest Queensview Secondary Plan. We’ve had great turn out for both of the online meetings, plenty of good questions and comments. I’d like to thank Queensway Terrace North Community Association for also hosting an open house this week. This was a nice way to drop in and look at the plans and ask questions. Thanks to both the City Planners on these files for making the time to head out into the community for this event.
Secondary Plans, while they do not initiate anything on their own, create a road map for all the parties when they’re ready – whether this be the City or a developer. The map and policies put in key ideas, from bicycle lanes to potential recreation centres, to building heights, but it’s also important to remember most design elements will still need to undergo their own process later. The Secondary Plans let us plan for the future we want to see in our community, and how thing will progress over the course of many years.
A major part of these plans is connectivity to transit stations via active transportation, creating safe routes through neighbourhoods, across major streets, and ensuring ease of access for everyone, which is especially important in connection to the increased housing that will also develop over time. The Secondary Plans also outline greenspace, the creation of new parks, and other amenities, such as recreation centres, as well as potential retail space. All of these will combine to make communities more liveable for everyone. These plans are a way to think big about the future and help us meet the targets of the City’s Official Plan for 15 minute neighbourhoods with a focus on transit and active transportation.
I appreciate all the input that has been sent to my office regarding these plans, and I encourage you to continue to send comments and questions to staff. We’ll see the written polices that are proposed by staff based on engagement with stakeholders and resident in the new year and expect that both these plans will make their way to Planning and Housing Committee and Council for approval in coming months.
Lincoln Fields Secondary Plan: jocelyn.cadieux@ottawa.ca
Watch the virtual meeting HERE if you missed it.
Pinecrest Queensview Secondary Plan: peter.giles@ottawa.ca
Watch the virtual meeting HERE if you missed it.
The holidays are fast approaching, next week I will be out in the community visiting many Ottawa Community Housing homes and residents for their holiday lunches, dinners, and gatherings. I look forward to seeing everyone at these events over the next week.
I would also like to remind residents that our office will be closed December 22nd to January 2nd.
Should you require assistance I encourage you to reach out to ServiceOttawa to request services from the City. You can request non-emergency help online at Ottawa.ca/311, by phone at 3-1-1 (613-580-2400), or in-person at a Client Service Centre. The 3-1-1 Contact Centre is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
