Ottawa Councillor's open letter to landlord and realtors

Various city Councillor’s such as Councillor Leiper, Fleury, King, McKenney, Menard) have written an open letter to landlords and realtors.

November 10, 2020

Dear Landlords and Realtors,

Ottawa is growing fast. It’s exciting times for many as we feel the impact of big city-building projects, a building boom, intensification and the impact of new urban thinking.

In the midst of all this change, we the undersigned urban councillors need your help.

The transformations we’re seeing are helping to make Ottawa a more sustainable, prosperous city. Along with the changes, though, come challenges. We are making progress on achieving the vision of our Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan to emphasize public transit and active transportation as the only way to grow, but many of our policies are still a work in progress.

One of the key challenges we face as councillors in intensifying neighbourhoods is parking. There’s often not enough to satisfy demand, and not everyone who moves into our communities is going to be able to secure private parking for their vehicle.

We recognize that Council’s policies are built on a regulatory foundation that puts the onus for parking private vehicles on those who own them. The City provides parking for things like shopping and supporting commercial activity, visiting family and friends, and accommodating tradespeople and caregivers. But, it doesn’t provide for private vehicle storage.

Some of our communities will accommodate lots of private parking, but that will be a challenge in some, particularly where our investment in light rail and cycling infrastructure is heaviest. Prospective renters and buyers need to know where they’ll be able to arrange to park their private vehicles, particularly before they make important rental and buying decisions.

Each of our offices receives frequent phone calls and emails from new neighbours asking for our assistance to find private vehicle storage. Given the rapid rate of intensification in our communities, we’re often unable to help.

Landlords and realtors can be part of the solution. Permit parking rules are complex, and the pressures on our inventory of street parking will only grow in future years. Explaining clearly and transparently to prospective buyers and tenants whether off-site parking is available and on what terms would be a critical way to ensure those you’re helping avoid disappointment or even significant disruption and stress.

On-street parking rules can be daunting and initiatives like daytime winter on-street parking bans will only make it more complex. We’re here to help. When showing a property or unit to a client, if you’re uncertain as to what the parking rules are, we’d be pleased to help you navigate the regulations. Feel free to call our offices or connect with Parking Services through 3-1-1. We can help you and your clients understand parking permit rules, time limits and temporary parking bans.

Moving into a new home and neighbourhood should be an exciting time for renters and buyers. Let’s work together to ensure that it is.

Respectfully,

(signed)

Councillors

Mathieu Fleury (Ward 12)

Rawlson King (Ward 13)

Jeff Leiper (Ward 15)

Catherine McKenney (Ward 14)

Shawn Menard (Ward 17)

Posted on November 16, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

Revitalized Rosemount branch partial reopening on Thursday, December 3

The revitalized Rosemount branch will be reopening with a contactless returns and holds pickup service on Thursday, December 3.

The Rosemount branch will offer returns and holds pickup service, with no appointment required to drop off Library items or pick up holds. At this time, browsing the collection and public computer use will not be available at Rosemount.

Public washrooms will also not be available at this time.

CLOSURE OF THE ROSEMOUNT TEMPORARY LOCATION

In order to prepare for the reopening of the Rosemount branch, the Rosemount Temporary Location will be closing after Saturday, November 21.

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

The Protection of the Holy Virgin Memorial Church changes

Mechanicsville landmark sees a wonderful refresh! Thank you to Mechanicsville resident and artist, Joan Anderson for the photos!

Posted on October 31, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

Holland Cross addition - OPA, Zoning by-law amendment, site plan + open house Webinar

Copied from Councillor Leiper’s post on Holland Cross addition.

Holland Cross, 1560 Scott St. is an existing commercial complex that consists of two 7 storey, 100,000 sf office towers sitting on a single storey ground floor/podium of approximately 90,000 sf. Defined as a Mixed-Use Centre, it is a mixture of retail, food service and professional office space. At the time of development in 1987/8, the project was designed for a future third office tower in the Southeast corner. In the original development the town houses to the south were part of the project, but these have subsequently been severed off.

In lieu of the third office tower, the owners are now proposing a 29-storey building with 337 rental units. The main entrance to the building is from Hamilton North with secondary entrances from the podium and from the retail mall within the complex. There is a step-back at the fifth-floor level, again at the 28th floor, both east and south elevations and on the west side of the 29th floor. In addition, there is a covered walkway along the south side of the podium. In the existing Holland Cross development there are two levels of underground parking which can accommodate approximately 780 vehicles. This project is proposing to provide 30 indoor visitor parking spaces as well as bicycle parking at the front of the building and on the podium. The development is also providing bicycle storage for every unit as well as secure individual tenant storage.

The application has been submitted and full details can be reviewed on DevApps. 

We are hosting a community open house in Octobert discuss the proposed development further: 

Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00pm

Please click the link below to join the webinar: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86766205560

Password: 805131

 

Please consider sending us feedback on the proposed development via Jeff.Leiper@ottawa.ca and / or Fiona.Mitchell@ottawa.ca. 

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

Road Close on Burnside Avenue

At the request of the contractor and concurrence of the Ottawa Traffic Management deparatment, the dates for the closure of Burnside Avenue from Parkdale Avenue to Forward Avenue have been revised. The road will be closed from Monday, 19 October 2020 to Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

161 Hinchey Zoning by-law amendment + site plan control applicaiton and online open house webinar

As reported by Councillor Leiper, the owners of 161 Hinchey are applying for a Zoning By-Law Amendment and Site Plan Control to permit the development of a four-story, low-rise apartment building with 15 units. No parking is not being proposed.

Monday, September 28 at 7:00pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84139257359

Password: 178564

Posted on September 26, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

Laroche Park and Community Building Renewal and Remediation meeting on Sept 30th

As reported by Councillor Leiper, there will be a Laroche Park and Community Building Renewal and Remediation meeting on Wednesday, September 30th, 7:00- 8:30pm via online Webinar.

The presentation will provide an overview of the project, the new renewal plans for the park including the remediation of the park, new building, new playground, basketball court, seasonal rink area and permanent lighting, new ball diamond and planting plan.

Wednesday, September 30 at 7:00pm

Please click the link below to join the webinar: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89975758238

Password: 664967

Posted on September 26, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

REMINDER: Webinar on Monday, Sept 21st for 163, 159 + 167 Parkdale Ave

As posted on Councilar Jeff Leiper’s site:

[The] Site Plan Control application for 163, 159 & 167 Parkdale Ave has been submitted. You can review the application further on DevApps. The Zoning for these properties was previously approved in 2013 and the buildings previously on the site have since been demolished. 

The Site Plan sees a 31-storey tower with 267 residential units (176 one (1) bedroom units, including one (1) two (2) storey, ground-oriented townhouse unit; and, 91 (2) bedroom units, including four (4) two (2) storey, ground-oriented townhouse units), 167 parking spaces are also proposed, with retail space at grade.

Monday, September 21 at 7:00pm

Please click the link below to join the webinar: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84151188977

Password: 225838

Posted on September 19, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

163, 159 + 167 Parkdale Ave Open House Webinar

As posted on Councilar Jeff Leiper’s site:

[The] Site Plan Control application for 163, 159 & 167 Parkdale Ave has been submitted. You can review the application further on DevApps. The Zoning for these properties was previously approved in 2013 and the buildings previously on the site have since been demolished. 

The Site Plan sees a 31-storey tower with 267 residential units (176 one (1) bedroom units, including one (1) two (2) storey, ground-oriented townhouse unit; and, 91 (2) bedroom units, including four (4) two (2) storey, ground-oriented townhouse units), 167 parking spaces are also proposed, with retail space at grade.

Monday, September 21 at 7:00pm

Please click the link below to join the webinar: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84151188977

Password: 225838

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

Rosemount return drive today

With limited space at the temporary location and the high volume of materials that circulate from the Rosemount library branch, the library will be holding a one-day RETURN drive, accepting curbside returns of library materials. They invite community member to come out on Saturday, July 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the north corner of Parkdale Park (corner of Hamilton and Armstrong) to return your library items.

Posted on July 25, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

Rosemount Temporary Reopened

Rosemount (temporary location), will be offering a curbside returns and holds pickup service starting Monday, July 27, following these hours of operation:

  • Monday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.   

  • Tuesday: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.   

  • Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.   

  • Thursday: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.   

  • Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.   

  • Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.   

  • Sunday: CLOSED  

Posted on July 25, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.

Wellington West BIA Household surve

The Wellington West BIA wants to learn more about the residents of Mechanicsville and our shopping behaviours. At the end of the completed survey, you can enter to win a $250 gift card to any store you choose as well as weekly prizes every Friday until July 31 for a $50 gift card to any store you choose. Complete the survey at  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WellingtonWest_Mechanicsville

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Mechanicsville Community Association.