Lego model of development plans for area near Carling O-Train stop

A Lego model roughly shows development plans for the area near the Carling O-Train stop. Each Lego block represents a storey.







Each colour represents a new development, except for the blue buildings which represent existing structures.
Red: 125 Hickory. 20 storeys and 16 storeys.
White: 100 Champagne. 12 storeys. Plus a 3 storey building with 6
townhouses.
Yellow: 855 Carling. 15 storeys and 12 storeys.
Blue: Two storey homes - the norm for the area - and Emerald Towers, the
largest building in the neighbourhood (14 storeys).

CHNA's comments on revised proposal for 125 Hickory Street

August 30, 2010

Dear Mr. Bridgewater

Re: Revised Zoning By-law Amendment Proposal Summary for 125 Hickory Street (File No: D02-02-09-0104)

I am writing on behalf of the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association
(CHNA) to comment on the revised proposal for 125 Hickory Street.
To begin, I would like to state that CHNA understands that the City of
Ottawa¹s Official plan (Official Plan Amendment 76) promotes intensification
as a strategy to manage growth in a sustainable way and that it has targeted
areas near rapid transit for intensification, including the land at 125
Hickory Street which is located next to the Carling O-Train stop.

The CHNA also understands that the primary goal of the City's Official plan
is sustainability, "where sustainable development is defined as "development
that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

We fully support this goal and hope to work with the City to manage growth
in a way that meets the needs of our community, both now and in the future.

With this in mind, we would like to raise a number of concerns in connection
with 125 Hickory Street.

Maximum Height of Building: As you may know, the area near 125 Hickory
Street is largely residential. There are a few apartment buildings and
condominiums in the area but most buildings are single family dwellings. The
tallest building in the area is Emerald Towers (14 storeys) and it towers
over most homes in the neighbourhood.

Currently, the land at 125 Hickory is zoned for a maximum building height of
34 metres. Developer Mastercraft Starwood is requesting that the City of
Ottawa increase the maximum height to 65 metres (down from a request for 76
metres) to allow for a 20 storey and 16 storey tower, with a total of 302
condominium units.

Accepting the proposal for two huge towers at 125 Hickory Street would
significantly reduce privacy for people living near the two buildings and
negatively alter the overall environment of the neighbourhood and skyline.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the towers would stick out like two
sore thumbs. To demonstrate this point, the CHNA has attached a photo of a Lego model which roughly shows development plans for the area near the Carling O-Train stop, including the revised plan for 125 Hickory Street. Each Lego block represents a storey. Each colour represents a new development, except for the blue buildings which represent existing structures.

Red: 125 Hickory. 20 storeys and 16 storeys.

White: 100 Champagne. 12 storeys. Plus a 3 storey building with 6
townhouses.

Yellow: 855 Carling. 15 storeys and 12 storeys.

Blue: Two storey homes - the norm for the area - and Emerald Towers, the
largest building in the neighbourhood (14 storeys).

According to the Christine Leadman, the City Councillor for the ward, the
plan for the 125 Hickory Street more than triples the City¹s housing density
target for the neighbourhood. (Source: Ottawa Citizen, 'Hotel-inspired
condos will have negative effect, Leadman says' May 4, 2010).

Leadman points out that "In 2002, the site was upzoned to 12 storeys to
permit construction of the 'Acquellero at Dow's Lake' apartment building
with 189 units. This development would have created a density of 475.5
jobs/people per hectare that is over twice the recent intensification target
of 200 along Carling Avenue. The proposed re-zoning would create a density
of 835 jobs/people per hectare." (Source: Christine Leadman, Councillor for
Kitchissippi Ward, Important facts for 125 Hickory St. Development, 2010)

The CHNA does not support the second upzoning or the significant increase in
density beyond city targets. We are especially concerned because the area
has inadequate infrastructure and will not be able to sustain this level of
development. There is no grocery store in the neighbourhood or other
amenities like a post office, dry cleaner, news stand or gas station. Even
public transit is a problem. The City's Light Rail network will not be
operational for another decade, and the O-Train will likely be shut down for
LRT construction for part of that decade. Ironically, most people who move
into the new developments near the Carling O-Train stop will have to drive
everywhere to obtain the basic requirements of life because they will not be
able to get them in their neighbourhood or get them very easily by public
transit.

If all zoning by-law proposals for the area are accepted as is, an estimated
1000 additional people will be moving in and around 125 Hickory Street.
(Note: This estimate assumes an average of two people per unit at 125
Hickory, 100 Champagne and the second Merrion Square condo which is
currently being built.) This will undoubtedly put a great deal of pressure
on our residential roads, parks and green space, as will the two office
towers at 855 Carling.

As stated earlier, the CHNA supports the City's plans to promote
intensification and sustainable development in a way that meets the needs of
our community, both now and in the future. However, the CHNA does not
believe that the current proposal for 125 Hickory promotes sustainable
development or meets the needs of current residents.

Transportation study conclusions: The 125 Hickory Avenue: Residential
Complex ­ Community Transportation Study concludes with the following
comments

"The principal impact of the currently underway and proposed developments
(Domicile, Arnon and Mastercraft Starwood) on local streets is anticipated
to occur on Sherwood Drive at Carling Avenue, based on the assumption that
the additional traffic to/from Carling Avenue west of Champagne Avenue will
likely get redistributed to/from Sherwood Drive at the Carling/Sherwood
signalized intersection in the same proportions as currently prevail at that
intersection.

Consequently, the two-way peak traffic volumes on Sherwood Drive between
Carling Avenue and Breezehill Avenue are projected to increase by 80/90 vph
by 2016. At less than 500 vph two-way total at this location during peak,
the projected volumes are still considered to be reasonable for a collector
road. It is noteworthy that the two-way peak hour volumes on Sherwood Drive
at Parkdale Avenue are approximately 50% of the two-way volumes at Carling
Avenue.

Since, an average of 85% of the traffic on Carling Avenue east of Sherwood
Drive originates/is destined for Carling Avenue, west of Sherwood Drive, the
resultant 15% of the projected increased traffic volumes resulting from the
proposed Mastercraft Starwood and Arnon developments is considered to be a
relatively minor increase in Sherwood Avenue traffic volumes, i.e.,
approximately 10% of the current p.m. peak hour total of 400 vph.

The existing traffic volumes on the local road network, Hickory, Breezehill,
Beech, Loretta, etc., are relatively minor and are expected to increase by
less than 40 vehicles per hour, as a result of all the proposed developments
in the area, including Domicile, Arnon and Mastercraft Starwood.

Based on the foregoing, it is recommended that the proposed rezoning be
approved from a transportation perspective."

The CHNA does not agree with this conclusion. Much of the information
collected on traffic counts was collected during the dead of summer and a
period of major construction on Preston Street. We think it safe to assume
that these factors affected both the volume of traffic and the way people
use our roads. We would like to point out that a consulting firm called
Delcan collected information for the Carling and Sherwood intersection (the
intersection identified as having "the principal impact" ) on August 19,
2009. Traffic counts for Carling and Champagne were collected on August 17,
2009. Counts for Beech and Preston were collected on July 18, 2006. Counts
for Parkdale and Sherwood were collected on June 30, 2009. Also, there does
not appear to be traffic counts for some of the intersections that are
likely to be most affected: Champagne and Beech; Hickory and Loretta;
Hickory and Breezehill; Hickory and Bayswater.

The proposed development at 125 Hickory and other proposed developments in
the area would add more than 1192 vehicles to our streets (See Appendix A).
Most of these vehicles are likely to arrive and leave during peak traffic
hours. This increase in traffic would undoubtedly and negatively impact the
livability of our streets. We wholeheartedly agree with the late Donald
Appleyard. Appleyard, who was a professor of urban design, believed that
social street activities are greatly reduced and feelings of well being in
neighbourhoods are threatened when traffic volumes increase beyond what is
considered normal by local residents (Source: Donald Appleyard, Livable
Streets, Berkeley, CA.: University of California , 1981).

The CHNA would like to work with the City of Ottawa to preserve the
livability of our streets by maintaining current traffic patterns to the
extent possible. One of the best ways to do this would be to ensure that
traffic emanating from developments such as 125 Hickory Street is diverted
to Carling.

The City could also reduce the number of vehicles that proposed developments
such as 125 Hickory are scheduled to add to our streets by adding Vrtucar
parking spaces and by reducing the number of vehicle parking spaces. In
theory, this measure would also strengthen the link between development and
public transit.

Reliability of information: The CHNA also has concerns about the reliability
of the information provided by Delcan¹s transportation study. Delcan¹s study
was prepared for the developer (Mastercraft Starwood). We have a very hard
time believing that this document is impartial and suspect that Delcan may
be providing information in a selective manner. For example, Delcan
provides collision data for study area roads between 2005 to 2008 and
concludes "Analysis indicated no particular trends in collisions along the
subject section of Carling Avenue. Most of the collisions (76%) involved
only property damage, indicating low impact speeds, while the rest were
non-fatal."

One might assume, based on this information, that there were no fatal
traffic accidents between 2005 and 2008 but this would be incorrect.
Collision data only provides information about vehicles hitting vehicles. It
does not include information about vehicles hitting people. We know of at
least one fatal accident that occurred in March of 2005. A man and his dog
were tragically killed by a car at Carling and Sherwood
(Source:http://members.shaw.ca/leatherlion/benkozak/index.htm).

No Community Development Plan: The Carling Bayview Light Rail Transit
Corridor Community Design Plan is not yet completed. Development is usurping
planning at this point. We think the City needs to work with the CHNA to
address problems that are created by this fact.

In short, the CHNA believes that the City needs to do more to ensure that
development is sustainable for both current and future residents, as
mandated in the Official Plan, and that it incorporates the guiding
principles of Ottawa¹s 20/20 initiative into its plan by working towards
stated objectives such as the following:

-The link between development and public transit is strengthened.
- Focusing on alternative modes of transport and reducing the reliance on
the automobile for improved air quality.
- A better-balanced transportation system, which puts more emphasis on
transit, cycling and pedestrian facilities, and improves mobility and access
for all citizens, including those who do not own a car.

Commercial use: The CHNA is pleased to see that Mastercraft Starwood is
proposing to add limited commercial uses at grade at the southwest corner of site. On
this one particular issue, the developer appears to have listened to the
comments of residents in the neighbourhood, which we very much appreciate.

O-Train bridge: We fully support and encourage Mastercraft Starwood¹s
proposal for a Hickory Street bridge over the O-Train tracks. This link
would encourage more walking and less driving.

Bicycle parking spaces: Similarly, we like the proposal for 182 bicycle
parking spaces. Ideally, this proposal would include secure indoor bicycle
parking for residents of each tower and bicycle racks for visitors outside.

Recommendations for revised 125 Hickory Street proposal

The CHNA would like to make the following recommendations with a view to
addressing some of the above concerns and helping the City take measured
steps to implement the Official Plan and 20/20 objectives:

1) Maintain the current maximum building height of 34 metres.

2) Reduce the number of vehicle parking spaces to increase walking,
biking and use of public transit and add Vrtucar car spots to encourage car
sharing. There are about 15 to 20 vehicles removed from the road for every
car-share vehicle. (Source: San Fransisco Chronicle, "City working to make
car-sharing more popular", August 17, 2010
http://www.planetizen.com/node/45626). We recommend at least eight Vrtucar spots in prime locations.

3) In order to divert traffic to the Carling arterial, we recommend the
following:

a) 'No entry from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m' signs at Hickory and Champagne
(going North and West) to divert traffic to Carling during rush hours.

b) A 'No entry from 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m' sign at Champagne and Beech to
encourage traffic to enter from Carling at the end of the day.


c) A 'No entry from 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m' sign at Hickory and Loretta to
encourage traffic to enter from Carling at the end of the day.

This proposal should encourage the proper use of the Carling arterial if
people are respectful of the signs.

4) Ensure that City of Ottawa staff make it a priority to find solutions to
other traffic and parking issues in the CHNA catchment area, especially in
light of the fact that developments such as 125 Hickory are proceeding prior
to the completion of the Carling Bayview Light Rail Transit Corridor
Community Design Plan.

5) Do not consider any new developments or zoning by-law amendments in the
area until the Carling Bayview Light Rail Transit Corridor Community Design
Plan (CDP) is completed. Ensure that the CDP gives priority to adding
services and infrastructure in the area so that residents can walk or bike
rather than drive.

Thank you for considering our views.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact
either me or CHNA President Amanda Farris.

Yours truly,

Katherine Steinhoff
Vice President
Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association

APPENDIX A

Large Buildings AND PARKING Near Carling O-train Stop

In Progress

125 Hickory: Currently zoned for 34 metres. Proposal to increase to 65
metres. 22 townhouse units. Two residential condominium towers. One 20
storeys. One 16 storeys. Total of 302 condominium units. 275 parking spaces
for residents, visitors and commercial purposes (Source: Douglas
Bridgewater, Planning and Growth Management Development, City of Ottawa).
182 bicycle parking spaces will be provided on site.

100 Champagne: Currently zoned for Residential Fourth Density Subzone M
which has a maximum height 11metres.
(Source:
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/bylaw/a_z/zoning/parts/pt_06/index_en-04.html )
Proposal to increase to 42 metres. One residential apartment consisting of
12 storeys and 94 apartments. One three storey townhouse dwelling with 6
townhouses. 109 parking spaces. Two car sharing spaces (Vrtucar) and six visitor spaces.

855 Carling: Two office towers. One 15 storeys (56 metres). One 12 storeys
(45 metres). 800 parking spaces.

TOTAL:1192 parking spaces*

*The new condominium tower being constructed as part of Merrion Square
Development will generate additional traffic.

Current

Merrion Square at 330 Loretta: 30 townhomes. Two towers containing 152
units. One eight storeys. One ten storeys. One tower is currently being
constructed. The apartment towers share one common garage with 160 parking
spaces. There are 12 visitor and 2 Vrtucar parking spaces as well as parking
spots at each of the 30 townhomes. Status: Approved and in progress.

Dow Lake Court at 865 Carling Avenue: Two towers. One seven storeys. One
nine stories. 614 parking spaces.

Emerald Towers at 285 Loretta: 14 storeys. Unknown number of apartments.
Unknown number of parking spaces. Parking lot exits on Champagne.

Civic Hospital parking lot at Carling and Champagne: 300 parking spaces are
currently located on the vacant Arnon Corporation site, serving the Civic
Hospital. These parking spaces will disappear when the Arnon development at
855 Carling goes up.

Street Pics - Parkdale Avenue

125 Hickory Street proposal to be discussed on September 28th

Christine Leadman's office sent the following notice of a planning meeting to discuss the 125 Hickory Street proposal:

Also, just another quick note to let you all know this application is expected to come to the Planning and Environment Committee on Sept. 28 for discussion. That meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. and will be in Andrew S. Haydon Hall (Council Chambers) at City Hall. An official reminder will be sent by the councillor's office with the agenda for the meeting once the date and agenda have been confirmed.

Kindest regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Young
Office of Christine Leadman
City Councillor for Kitchissippi Ward

Street pics - Carling Avenue

City planning department MAY accept comments on 125 Hickory after the deadline

The CHNA requested that the planning department extend the deadline for comments on the revised 125 Hickory Street proposal.

The department's response follows:

If comments are submitted after the target response deadline and we
still have time to integrate them into our report to Planning and
Environment Committee (target of Sept 28th PEC meeting) we will always
do that (i.e. a few days won't make much difference usually). If we are
unable to do that, the comments should still be submitted for the file
and individuals and the CHNA can certainly present their views at the
PEC meeting or by arranging to have them read into the record through
the Ward Councillor or the Committee Chairman or Secretary. As you may
know submitting comments in writing or verbally establishes the right to
appeal to the OMB.

Request for comments on REVISED proposal for 125 Hickory Street

There is a revised zoning by-law amendment proposal for 125 Hickory Street. The City of Ottawa would like comments by August 31st.

Highlights follow:

- The developer Mastercraft Starwood is now requesting a maximum building height of 65 metres (down from 76 metres – current zoning allows 34 metres) to allow for a potential 20 storey (initially requested 24 storey) mixed use building. (Note: The initial proposal indicates that the developer wants to build two towers. The revised proposal does not say how big each tower would be.)

- They want to decrease the open space requirement from 30% to 22% (initially requested 19.1%).

- They want to add limited commercial uses as permitted uses at grade to a maximum area of about 1,100m2. Commercial component at southwest corner of site.

- Reduce number of townhouses from 33 to 23 units.

- Decrease the minimum front yard setback (applies to Hickory Street) from 3m to 2m and decrease the minimum corner side yard setback (applies to Champagne Avenue South) from 3m to 2m.

You can find the original proposal at:

http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__7UMT1F

The City of Ottawa has not yet posted the revised proposal.

If anyone has any comments, please direct them to Doug Bridgewater, Planning and Growth Management Department, City of Ottawa.
Email:Douglas.Bridgewater@ottawa.ca
Fax: 613-560-6006
Mail: 110 Laurier Avenue West, 4th floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 1J1

The CHNA will request that the City extend the deadline for comments.

Sincerely,
Katherine Steinhoff
Vice President
CHNA

Street pics - Loretta Avenue

AGM Scheduled for October 5th

The AGM is scheduled for October 5th at the Civic Hospital Amphitheatre. If you come in the main entrance off Ruskin St. go up the stairs and that's where we'll be. The details are still being finalized but our hope is to invite the ward candidates to attend the first part of the meeting, speak for 3-5 minutes each and then answer questions from the audience. More details to come. Sign up for the CHNA email bulletins at chna4u@gmail.com and keep up to date with what's happening in our neighbourhood.

CHNA comments on 100 Champagne

Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association

July 12, 2010

Dear Mr. Hakala

Re: Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, and Site Plan Control Proposal for 100 Champagne Avenue South (File No: D01-01-10-0008; D02-02-10-0025; D07-12-10-0147)

I am writing on behalf of the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association (CHNA) to comment on the proposed development at 100 Champagne Avenue South.

To begin, I would like to state that CHNA understands that the City of Ottawa’s Official plan (Official Plan Amendment 76) promotes intensification as a strategy to manage growth in a sustainable way and that it has targeted areas near rapid transit for intensification, including the area near 100 Champagne which is located next to the Carling O-Train stop.

The CHNA also understands that the primary goal of the City’s Official plan is sustainability, “where sustainable development is defined as ‘development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

We fully support this goal and hope to work with the City to manage growth in a way that meets the needs of our community, both now and in the future.
With this in mind, we would like to raise a number of concerns in connection with 100Champagne.

Transportation study conclusions: The 100 Champagne Avenue: Residential Complex – Community Transportation Study concludes with the following comments:

“The principal impact of the currently underway and proposed developments (Domicile, Arnon and Mastercraft Starwood) on local streets is anticipated to occur on Sherwood Drive at Carling Avenue, based on the assumption that the additional traffic to/from Carling Avenue west of Champagne Avenue will likely get redistributed to/from Sherwood Drive at the Carling/Sherwood signalized intersection in the same proportions as currently prevail at that intersection.

Consequently, the two-way peak traffic volumes on Sherwood Drive between Carling Avenue and Breezehill Avenue are projected to increase by approximately 70 vph by 2016. With less than 500 vph two-way total at this location during peaks, the projected volumes are still considered to be reasonable for a collector road. It is noteworthy that the two-way peak hour volumes on Sherwood Drive at Parkdale Avenue are approximately 50% of the two-way volumes at Carling Avenue.

Since, an average of 85% of the traffic on Carling Avenue east of Sherwood Drive originates/is destined for Carling Avenue, west of Sherwood Drive, the resultant 15% of the projected increased traffic volumes resulting from the proposed Domicile, Mastercraft Starwood and Arnon developments is considered to be a relatively minor increase in Sherwood Avenue traffic volumes, as it applies principally to the section of Sherwood Drive between Carling Avenue and Breezehill Drive. The existing traffic volumes on the local road network, Hickory, Breezehill, Beech, Loretta, etc., are relatively minor and are expected to increase by less than 40 vehicles per hour, as a result of all the proposed developments in the area, including Domicile, Arnon and Mastercraft Starwood.

As the overall traffic impact of the proposed Domicile residential development at 100 Champagne Avenue represents a net increase of 5% to 7% in additional peak hour traffic volumes likely to be generated by all the known development proposals in the area at this time, and as the additional traffic impact on adjacent arterial and collector streets is judged to be quite minor, not resulting in the need for improvements of any significance, the proposed rezoning and OPA are judged to be appropriate in this case.”

The CHNA does not agree with this conclusion. Much of the information collected on traffic counts was collected during the dead of summer and a period of major construction on Preston Street. We think it is safe to assume that these factors affected both the volume of traffic and the way people use our roads. We would like to point out that a consulting firm called Delcan collected information for the Carling and Sherwood intersection (the intersection identified as having “the principal impact” ) on August 19, 2009. Traffic counts for Carling and Champagne were collected on August 17, 2009. Counts for Beech and Preston were collected on July 18, 2006. Counts for Parkdale and Sherwood were collected on June 30, 2009. Also, there does not appear to be traffic counts for some of the intersections that are likely to be most affected: Champagne and Beech; Hickory and Loretta; Hickory and Breezehill; Hickory and Bayswater.

The proposed development at 100 Champagne and other proposed developments in the area would add more than 1240 vehicles to our streets (See Appendix A). Most of these vehicles are likely to arrive and leave during peak traffic hours. This increase in traffic would undoubtedly and negatively impact the livability of our streets. We wholeheartedly agree with the late Donald Appleyard. Appleyard, who was a professor of urban design, believed that social street activities are greatly reduced and feelings of well being in neighbourhoods are threatened when traffic volumes increase beyond what is considered normal by local residents (Source: Donald Appleyard, Livable Streets. Berkeley, CA.: University of California , 1981).

The CHNA would like to work with the City of Ottawa to preserve the livability of our streets by maintaining current traffic patterns to the extent possible. One of the best ways to do this would be to ensure that traffic emanating from developments such as 100 Champagne is diverted to Carling.

The City could also reduce the number of vehicles that proposed developments such as 100 Champagne are scheduled to add to our streets by reducing the number of vehicle parking spaces. In theory, this measure would also strengthen the link between development and public transit. At the moment, the proposal for 100 Champagne would add a parking spot/vehicle per apartment or townhouse, as would the proposed development at 125 Hickory.

Reliability of information: The CHNA also has concerns about the reliability of the information provided by Delcan’s transportation study. Delcan’s study was prepared for the developer (Domicile). We have a very hard time believing that this document is impartial and suspect that Delcan may be providing information in a selective manner. For example, Delcan provides collision data for study area roads between 2005 to 2008 and concludes “Analysis indicated no particular trends in collisions along the subject section of Carling Avenue. Most of the collisions (76%) involved only property damage, indicating low impact speeds, while the rest were non-fatal.” One might assume, based on this information, that there were no fatal traffic accidents between 2005 and 2008 but this would be incorrect. Collision data only provides information about vehicles hitting vehicles. It does not include information about vehicles hitting people. We know of at least one fatal accident that occurred in March of 2005. A man and his dog were tragically killed by a car at Carling and Sherwood (Source:http://members.shaw.ca/leatherlion/benkozak/index.htm).

No Community Development Plan: The Carling Bayview Light Rail Transit Corridor Community Design Plan is not yet completed. Development is usurping planning at this point. We think the City needs to work with the CHNA to address problems that are created by this fact.

In short, the CHNA believes that the City needs to do more to ensure that development is sustainable for both current and future residents, as mandated in the Official Plan, and that it incorporates the seven guiding principles of Ottawa’s 20/20 initiative into its plan by working towards stated objectives such as the following:

•The link between development and public transit is strengthened.
• Focusing on alternative modes of transport and reducing the reliance on the automobile for improved air quality.
• A better-balanced transportation system, which puts more emphasis on transit, cycling and pedestrian facilities, and improves mobility and access for all citizens, including those who do not own a car.
•A full range of commercial goods and services for residents is available at appropriate locations throughout the city.

Recommendations for 100 Champagne Proposal

The CHNA would like to make the following recommendations with a view to addressing some of the above concerns and helping the City take measured steps to implement the Official Plan and 20/20 objectives:

1) Reduce the number of vehicle parking spaces and add bicycle and additional Vrtucar parking spaces.

2) In order to divert traffic to the Carling arterial, we recommend the following:
a) ‘No entry from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m’ signs at Hickory and Champagne (going North and West) to divert traffic to Carling during rush hours.
b) A‘No entry from 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m’ sign at Champagne and Beech to encourage traffic to enter from Carling at the end of the day.
c) A ‘No entry from 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m’ sign at Hickory and Loretta to encourage traffic to enter from Carling at the end of the day.

This proposal should encourage the proper use of the Carling arterial if people are respectful of the signs. If they are not, it may be necessary to block the road at Champagne and Beech as well as Hickory and Loretta.

3) Ensure that City of Ottawa staff make it a priority to find solutions to other traffic and parking issues in the CHNA catchment area, especially in light of the fact that developments such as 100 Champagne are proceeding prior to the completion of the Carling Bayview Light Rail Transit Corridor Community Design Plan.

4) Do not consider any new developments or zoning by-law amendments in the area until the Carling Bayview Light Rail Transit Corridor Community Design Plan (CDP) is completed. Ensure that the CDP gives priority to adding services and infrastructure in the area so that residents can walk or bike rather than drive.
Thank you for considering our views. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or CHNA President Amanda Farris.

Yours truly,
Katherine Steinhoff
Vice President
Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association


APPENDIX A

LARGE BUILDINGS NEAR CARLING O-TRAIN STOP

In Progress

100 Champagne: Currently zoned for Residential Fourth Density Subzone M which has a maximum height 11metres.
(Source: http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/bylaw/a_z/zoning/parts/pt_06/index_en-04.html)
Proposal to increase to 42 metres. One residential apartment consisting of 12 storeys and 94 apartments. One three storey townhouse dwelling with 6 townhouses.
109 parking spaces. Two car sharing spaces (Vrtucar) and six visitor spaces.
Status as of June 15, 2010: Comment Period in Progress

125 Hickory: Currently zoned for 34 metres. Proposal to increase to 76 metres. 33 townhouse units. Two residential condominium towers. One 24 storeys. One 20 storeys. Total of 301 condominium units. The concept plan indicates that 323 parking spaces and 161 bicycle parking spaces will be provided on site. Status as of June 17, 2010: Appealed to OMB.

855 Carling: Two office towers. One 15 storeys (56 metres). One 12 storeys (45 metres). 800 parking spaces. Status as of June 2010: By-law Passed - In Appeal Period

TOTAL: 1240 parking spaces*

Current

Merrion Square at 330 Loretta*: 30 townhomes. Two towers containing 152 units. One eight storeys. One ten storeys. One tower is currently being constructed.
Unknown number of parking spaces. Status: Approved and in progress.

Dow Lake Court at 865 Carling Avenue: Two towers. One seven storeys. One nine stories. 614 parking spaces.

Civic Hospital parking lot at Carling and Champagne: 300 parking spaces are currently located on the vacant Arnon Corporation site, serving the Civic Hospital. These parking spaces will disappear when the Arnon development at 855 Carling goes up.

Emerald Towers at 285 Loretta: 14 storeys. Unknown number of apartments. Unknown number of parking spaces. Parking lot exits on Champagne.

*The new condominium tower being constructed as part of Merrion Square Development will require additional parking and generate additional traffic.

Request for comments on 100 Champagne

Here is the link relating to the development at 100 Champagne. This development was presented to us by Domicile in a public meeting held last November. I believe the number of units, town houses and parking spaces are consistent with what they told us last year.

http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__7Y1O5C

If anyone has any comments for the city on this, please direct them to Kalle Hakala Kalle.Hakala@ottawa.ca

Sincerely,
Amanda Farris, President
CHNA

About us

Boundaries

The CHNA boundaries are Highway 417 (the Queensway) on the north, Carling Avenue on the south, Railway Street on the east and Island Park to the West.

Executive Committee

Amanda Farris, President
Scott Bradley, Vice President
Alayne McGregor, Secretary
Julie Westall, Treasurer
Marshall Perrin, Chair of Communications Committee
Peter Eady, Chair of Traffic Committee
Jen Saxe, Chair of Safety Committee
Planning and Development Committee (vacant)

Association Email Address: CHNA4U@gmail.com

Civic Hospital Area Homeowners Association*
Constitution
October 1982

Article 1 – Name
The name of this Association shall be the Civic Hospital Area Homeowners Association, hereinafter referred to as the Association.

Article 2 _ Purpose
The purpose of the Association is to promote the general interests and well being of the residents of the
Civic Hospital area in the City of Ottawa, Ontario, as defined by Article 3.

Article 3 – Boundaries
The boundaries of the Civic Hospital Area shall be Carling Avenue, Island Park Drive, the Queensway, and Bayswater Avenue.

Article 4 – Membership
Membership is open to all person eighteen years of age or over, who are residents in the area, or who are owners of residential properties in the area. Members are person [sic] whose names appear on the current membership list. There shall be one membership fee per area household.

Article 5 – Dues
An annual membership fee shall be levied by the Association as establish at the Annual General Meeting.

Article – General Meetings
A. There shall be at least one general meeting of the membership each year. One of these shall be the Annual General Meeting.

B. General Meetings.
1. Will be called by the President and Secretary.
2. Must be called within thirty (30) days of a written request by 15% of the members of the Association.

C. Members must be notified of the time and place of all general meetings at least ten (10) days prior to such meetings.
D. A quorum shall consist of 15% of the membership of the Association, tow (2) of whom shall also be members of the Executive Committee.

E. The Annual General Meeting shall be held normally in the month of October and shall include:

1. The presentation of a report of the Executive Committee by the President.
2. The presentation of a financial report by the Treasurer.
3. The presentation of reports by Committee Chairman as required.
4. Establish fee for following year
5. The nomination and election of an Executive Committee for the following year.

Article 7 – Officers
The officers of the Association shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and immediate Past-President.

A. The President shall:
1. Direct and coordinate the activities of the Association in accordance with the directives of the membership and Executive Committee.
2. Preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee.
3. Preside at all meetings of the general membership.
4. Maintain liaison between officers, executive committee and the Association’s committees as well as an ex officio member of all standing and ad hoc committees.
B. The Vice-President shall:
1.Fulfill the responsibilities of the President, if he/she is unable to do so.
2. Conduct and maintain any responsibilities delegated by either the President or the Executive Committee.
3. Act as Chairman of the Communications Committee.
4. Act as an ex officio member of all Standing Committees of the Association.

C. The Secretary shall:
1. Attend and suitably record in permanent form the proceedings of all meetings of the Executive Committee and general membership.
2. Be responsible for all formal correspondence of the Association.
3. Maintain a proper record of the membership and such other records as may be necessary.
4. Perform such other duties pertaining to the office as may be assigned by the Executive Committee.


D. The Treasurer shall:
1. Be the custodian of all monies belonging to the Association.
2. Deposit all monies of the Association to such bank or banks as may be approved by the Executive Committee.
3. Keep correct accounts of receipts and disbursements.
E. The Immediate Past-President shall:
1. Attend all meetings of the Executive Committee.
2. 2. Assist the other members of the Executive Committee when required.
3. Chair the nomination committee for the election of officers.

Article 8 – District Directors
The area of the Association will be divided into geographic districts each represented by a director, who will normally be a resident of the district. Directors will represent their district at Executive or other Committee Meetings, and should provide communication between the Association and district residents. Geographical districts may be changed at the annual meeting.

Article 9 – Ad Hoc Committees
A. Terms of reference and chairmanship of Ad Hoc Committees shall be established at Executive or general meetings.
B. Authority of such committees is limited to making recommendations to the Executive Committee and/or general membership.
Article 10 – The Executive Committee
A. The Executive Committee shall consist of:
1. The Officers of the Association.
2. The District Directors.
3. The Chairman of all Association Committees.
4. Ad Hoc Members selected by the Executive Committee or general membership.

B. The Executive Committee will meet regularly, and at least three times a year.
C. A member of the Executive Committee who misses more than three consecutive meetings without valid reasons, shall be deemed to have vacated his/her position.
D. Vacancies on the Executive may be filled at the discretion of the President. Annual General Meetings shall have the poser [sic] to alter the composition of the Executive Committee.
E. Annual General Meetings shall have the poser [sic] to alter the composition of the Executive Committee.
F. The Executive Committee shall prepare the agenda for all general meetings and consider all requests from the general membership for inclusion in the Agenda, which will be distributed to the membership prior to the meeting.
G. The Executive Committee may appoint Ad Hoc Committees as required, subject to notification at the next general meeting.
H. A quorum shall consist of one-half of the members of the Executive Committee, two of whom are officers of the Association.
I. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Association following a majority vote of the members present.
Article 11 – Election of Officers
The immediate Past-President or if unavailable some other Executive Committee member appointed by the President shall, at least sixty days prior to the Annual Meeting, form a nomination committee of at least three members, who shall submit a slate of nominees for officers and members of the Executive Committee for the ensuing year. The membership will be notified of the slate at least 10 days before the meeting. Any member of the Association may stand for election to the Executive Committee.

So that other candidates can be notified, any additional nominations should be submitted to the nominating committee at least four days prior to the meeting. However, nominations will be accepted from the floor. Election of contested positions will be by secret ballot by Association members.

Article 12 – Amendment
This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the members present and voting at the Annual General Meeting, provided there has been at least four weeks’ notice of motion in advance of that meeting. Notice of motion is not debatable when notice of motion is made.

Article 13 – Procedure
Roberts’ Rules of Order shall be deemed to apply in all matters unless they conflict with this Constitution, in which case this Constitution shall take precedence.

Article 14 – Voting
Except as provided in Article 11, voting shall be by a show of hands by members, unless at least four members request a ballot vote.

*Annual General Meeting. October 20, 1987: After discussion, members voted that the name of the Association be the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association.

Get on the CHNA email list

Email CHNA President Amanda Farris at CHNA4U@gmail.com if you’d like to be put on the CHNA email list and keep up to date and informed about what’s going on in your neighbourhood.

Get involved

There are a lot of developments, activities and issues going on in our neighbourhood and we need members to become more active in order to preserve our quality of life, ensure the safety of our residents and make our neighbourhood a fun place to live, work and play. If you’re interested in getting more involved, we have various committees, tasks and leadership opportunities for residents of all ages. Whether you’re available for a one time event or a few times a year, we welcome your participation.

Below are some of the volunteer opportunities we have available. If you’re interested in learning more please email me at CHNA4U@gmail.com.

- Executive Committee (Annual General Meeting held in October)
- Block Captains*
- Street Reps**
- Parks and Recreation Committee
- Traffic Committee Committee
- Planning and Development Committee
- Safety and Crime Prevention Rep
- Communication and Media Rep
- Fund Raising Rep
-Special Events Reps***

*Responsible for being a committee chairperson or a CHNA representative of a specific issue or initiative.

**Responsible for distributing flyers to sub distributors on streets. Although, we are trying to eliminate the need for flyers by encouraging all residents to provide an email address or register for the phone tree so that we can communicate with them on events and issues more easily. Flyers cost money to produce, time to distribute and are not good for the environment. Until we have the majority of the neighbourhood signed up for phone or email communication, flyer distribution will likely be necessary 2-3 times a year. Teens and scout groups are encouraged to volunteer. Community service letters will gladly be given to those who participate.

*** Fall Festival, Spring Capital Clean Up, Summer Yard Sale, Holiday Tree Lighting, Winter Family Fun in the Parks are just some of the events we would like to provide on an annual basis but we need volunteers to help run them. Most of these events are also appropriate for teen volunteers too. Consider making one of these events a family tradition and teach your kids about helping others and supporting their community.


Sincerely,
Amanda Farris, President
CHNA

Association Archives

Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday Public Meeting November 24th 2009
The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association is holding a public meeting next Tuesday November 24th at 7pm. It will be held in the auditorium of the Civic Hospital. The following topics and issues will be discussed. Agenda7:00pm-7:40pm- Presentation by Domicile proposing a new development at Champagne and Hickory7:40pm-8:00pm- Q&A relating to the presentation8:00pm-8:15pm- Speed zone policy update by Councilor Christine Leadman8:15pm-8:30pm- Survey results and update on changes to the intersection of Parkdale and Sherwood8:30pm-8:40pm- 2010 calendar and committees8:40pm-9:00pm- Open forumPlease pass this notice along to your neighbours. We look forward to your participation.
Posted by Amanda Farris at 7:49 AM 5 comments
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sherwood and Parkdale intersection survey
Survey linkhttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2lNyUNM0hZTh0DDUiHtYag_3d_3d
Posted by Amanda Farris at 7:28 AM 2 comments
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Volunteers Needed
Please contact me if you are interested in assisting with the First Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association Tree Lighting ceremony in December.email: CHNA4U@gmail.com or call 613-866-4089
Posted by Amanda Farris at 7:13 PM 0 comments
City Fall Donation Weekend Oct.24-25
Fall Give Away Weekend: Discover hidden treasuresOttawa - One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Fall Give Away Weekend will take place Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25 at the conclusion of Waste Reduction WeekSo don’t throw away your unwanted household goods. Set them out at the curb with a sign or label indicating that they are free.Treasures Could IncludeBooks, CDs and DVDsOld furniture and small appliancesConstruction materials – including drywall and hardware such as nails, bolts and screwsKitchen gadgets, dishes, cutlery, pots and pansUnwanted giftsRules for Give Away WeekendPlace items at the curbPlace stickers or signs on items with the word “FREE”Ensure any items that you want to keep don’t get mixed up with your Give Away items at the curbAt the end of each day, bring any uncollected items back to your homePlease consider safety when deciding which items to set out to the curb. The Consumer Product Safety Bureau of Health Canada advises that used children's items such as baby walkers, yo-yo balls, cribs, car seats, strollers, playpens, bath seats, mattresses and other child-related items should not be placed out at the curb.Remember, items not picked up can be donated to charitable organizations or placed on used-item websites.Give Away Weekend EtiquetteRespect other people’s property. Don’t walk on lawns and gardensTake only the items marked “free”Don’t discard previously picked-up treasures on another person’s lawnFall Give Away weekend is another way to help the City RETHINK GARBAGE and maximize landfill space, protecting our most precious treasure – our environment.
Posted by Amanda Farris at 7:11 PM 0 comments
Friday, August 14, 2009
PUBLIC MEETING ITEMS
A note of thanks to all of you who attended the CHNA Public Meeting on Tuesday of this week. Despite the great summer weather, we still had about 60 people show up - which is a great turnout.We did get into two very interesting development issues, and there was particular concern and comments expressed with regards to the project at Champagne and Carling. While a number of issues did arise, the principal matter at this point is the impact of traffic on the neighbourhood. It is a matter that will be reviewed and discussed by the Executive Committee at the next meeting.Your thoughts and comments on this project are very much welcome and appreciated. Comments can be made at CHNA4U@gmail.comThe link to the traffic study can be found here:http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__7OIG96We also have a copy of the proposal that can be provided to you by request - I am not able to post it directly here on the website.Here is the link to the posted traffice study
Posted by Scott Bradley at 1:01 PM 0 comments
Friday, July 31, 2009
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHANGE
Please be advised that effective August 1st, I will be stepping down temporarily from the role of President of the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association, as I am currently engaged in an activity of a partisan political nature. Amanda Farris, the current Vice-President of the CHNA has graciously agreed to assume the role of President for the next several weeks.The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association is a non-partisan group. In large part, our function as the CHNA is to advocate on behalf of residents of the community. We do not represent or reflect specific partisan political interests. I believe that it is not appropriate for me to continue in this role given the current political event.I raised this matter with the Executive Committee at our last meeting, and there was consensus that the appropriate course of action was to remove myself from the position of President temporarily until the political matter was completed.Concurrently, while I have assisted in the planning of the public meeting on August 11th ot this point, Amanda Farris will be the Chair of this session, and lead the planning for this meeting as we move forward.In addition, we have changed the contact email for the CHNA to chna4u@gmail.comSincerely,Scott Bradley
Posted by Scott Bradley at 8:15 PM 0 comments

Association Archives

Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday Public Meeting November 24th 2009
The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association is holding a public meeting next Tuesday November 24th at 7pm. It will be held in the auditorium of the Civic Hospital. The following topics and issues will be discussed. Agenda7:00pm-7:40pm- Presentation by Domicile proposing a new development at Champagne and Hickory7:40pm-8:00pm- Q&A relating to the presentation8:00pm-8:15pm- Speed zone policy update by Councilor Christine Leadman8:15pm-8:30pm- Survey results and update on changes to the intersection of Parkdale and Sherwood8:30pm-8:40pm- 2010 calendar and committees8:40pm-9:00pm- Open forumPlease pass this notice along to your neighbours. We look forward to your participation.
Posted by Amanda Farris at 7:49 AM 5 comments
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sherwood and Parkdale intersection survey
Survey linkhttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2lNyUNM0hZTh0DDUiHtYag_3d_3d
Posted by Amanda Farris at 7:28 AM 2 comments
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Volunteers Needed
Please contact me if you are interested in assisting with the First Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association Tree Lighting ceremony in December.email: CHNA4U@gmail.com or call 613-866-4089
Posted by Amanda Farris at 7:13 PM 0 comments
City Fall Donation Weekend Oct.24-25
Fall Give Away Weekend: Discover hidden treasuresOttawa - One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Fall Give Away Weekend will take place Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25 at the conclusion of Waste Reduction WeekSo don’t throw away your unwanted household goods. Set them out at the curb with a sign or label indicating that they are free.Treasures Could IncludeBooks, CDs and DVDsOld furniture and small appliancesConstruction materials – including drywall and hardware such as nails, bolts and screwsKitchen gadgets, dishes, cutlery, pots and pansUnwanted giftsRules for Give Away WeekendPlace items at the curbPlace stickers or signs on items with the word “FREE”Ensure any items that you want to keep don’t get mixed up with your Give Away items at the curbAt the end of each day, bring any uncollected items back to your homePlease consider safety when deciding which items to set out to the curb. The Consumer Product Safety Bureau of Health Canada advises that used children's items such as baby walkers, yo-yo balls, cribs, car seats, strollers, playpens, bath seats, mattresses and other child-related items should not be placed out at the curb.Remember, items not picked up can be donated to charitable organizations or placed on used-item websites.Give Away Weekend EtiquetteRespect other people’s property. Don’t walk on lawns and gardensTake only the items marked “free”Don’t discard previously picked-up treasures on another person’s lawnFall Give Away weekend is another way to help the City RETHINK GARBAGE and maximize landfill space, protecting our most precious treasure – our environment.
Posted by Amanda Farris at 7:11 PM 0 comments
Friday, August 14, 2009
PUBLIC MEETING ITEMS
A note of thanks to all of you who attended the CHNA Public Meeting on Tuesday of this week. Despite the great summer weather, we still had about 60 people show up - which is a great turnout.We did get into two very interesting development issues, and there was particular concern and comments expressed with regards to the project at Champagne and Carling. While a number of issues did arise, the principal matter at this point is the impact of traffic on the neighbourhood. It is a matter that will be reviewed and discussed by the Executive Committee at the next meeting.Your thoughts and comments on this project are very much welcome and appreciated. Comments can be made at CHNA4U@gmail.comThe link to the traffic study can be found here:http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__7OIG96We also have a copy of the proposal that can be provided to you by request - I am not able to post it directly here on the website.Here is the link to the posted traffice study
Posted by Scott Bradley at 1:01 PM 0 comments
Friday, July 31, 2009
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHANGE
Please be advised that effective August 1st, I will be stepping down temporarily from the role of President of the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association, as I am currently engaged in an activity of a partisan political nature. Amanda Farris, the current Vice-President of the CHNA has graciously agreed to assume the role of President for the next several weeks.The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association is a non-partisan group. In large part, our function as the CHNA is to advocate on behalf of residents of the community. We do not represent or reflect specific partisan political interests. I believe that it is not appropriate for me to continue in this role given the current political event.I raised this matter with the Executive Committee at our last meeting, and there was consensus that the appropriate course of action was to remove myself from the position of President temporarily until the political matter was completed.Concurrently, while I have assisted in the planning of the public meeting on August 11th ot this point, Amanda Farris will be the Chair of this session, and lead the planning for this meeting as we move forward.In addition, we have changed the contact email for the CHNA to chna4u@gmail.comSincerely,Scott Bradley
Posted by Scott Bradley at 8:15 PM 0 comments