OSCA PRESIDENT'S REPORT

BY JOHN GRAHAM

LAND-USE ISSUES IN OLD OTTAWA SOUTH

ere is the latest on the proposed 40 unit townhouse development at the corner of Bronson and Sunnyside, current site of the former courthouse and detention centre.

Glenn Elder, chair of OSWATCH, reports city staff will recommend the site be zoned R3M with some minor exceptions, which is the same as much of the adjacent properties. The project goes to the city for approval in late April.

This is good news for our community as this zoning would not permit any future high rise-type development. Nonetheless, a traffic consultant predicts an increase of 25 to30 vehicles per hour in peak times from the project, something we could clearly do without.

More positively, traffic in and out of the development may prove to have a calming affect on vehicles turning off from Bronson at high speeds. Further, there will be no change to the one way traffic flow on Hopewell from Seneca to the road leading to the arena. In sum, the proposed development is about as good as the community can expect and OSCA plans to support it.

The city's Committee of Adjustment approved with conditions several variances to the Home-based Business By-law requested by the owners of 93 Bellwood. (A graphic design company there has operated for 13 years.)

One of the conditions, that these variances are specific to the existing business and would not apply to any new business at that address, was proposed by OSWATCH. This appears to be a sensible conclusion to this issue.

A final item is a plan by Patty's Pub on Bank Street to add an outdoor patio on the former used car lot directly north of the pub. The province's Alcohol and Gaming Commission is now considering this proposal but it is likely the proximity of the proposed patio to residential housing will require City approval as well.

Attending our April Board meeting were the owner of the Pub and three residents from the neighbourhood. Ensuing discussion produced the following points:

Neighbours at the meeting expressed concerns about noise, traffic and parking, safety concerns for children, proximity of the patio to nearby schools and the feeling the Pub had not lived up to a past commitment concerning use of space within the Pub.

There are potential positive benefits to the community, including some job creation and a convivial place to meet. Further, if the patio proposal is not approved, the site will eventually house some business activity with likely impacts on its neighbours.

After considering the above, OSCA decided to write the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, noting residents' concerns about the proposed patio should be taken seriously by the Board and that a formal hearing would be an appropriate vehicle to do so.

OSCA also urges nearby residents affected by the proposal to organize themselves and start meeting the pub owner to ascertain if their concerns can be mitigated.

OSCA SOCIAL EVENTS

The volunteer appreciation supper, organized by the Program committee, was a resounding success. Congratulations to the organizers. On a less positive note, we decided to cancel Media Night for several reasons, including low ticket sales and a program that did not come together as in previous years. Perhaps we need to rethink this event and come up with a fresh approach. The basic idea, having a drink with neighbours to enjoy local talent, appears sound.

The next event to mark on your calendar is the annual OSCA barbecue Tuesday June 20.

Finally, we are looking for a volunteer to head up our annual porch sale in the fall. Anyone interested contact Deirdre McQuillan at the OSCA office at 247-4872 or osca@cyberus.ca.

WINDSOR PARK DEVELOPMENTS

Councillor Inez Berg donated $500 each to the two Windsor Park groups, one dealing with the play structures and the other with the rehabilitation of the City Yard at the end of Windsor Avenue. Many thanks Inez. OSCA also donated $700 to Georgina Hunter and Anne-Marie Corbett, representing the play structure group. They have now raised over $21,000 for this project, an astounding amount in such a short time period.

TRANSITION BOARD

The Ottawa Transition Board, charged with developing a blueprint for the newly amalgamated city, is not in our good books.

They sent us a letter, which we received on April 18, asking for a written submission by April 21, on a range of complicated questions that covered four pages; Some examples: "What do you see as the core role of a councillor in the new city? Of the mayor?" and "What can be done to enhance citizen accessibility to their councillor? To the mayor? How can local concerns be dealt with in a large city?"

We sent them back a sharply worded letter to the effect that this was not our idea of effective consultation. That said, we did indicate an interest in giving our views on some of the topics, especially those related to community groups and their relationship to the new government. More on this in future columns.