Newsletter 1Project Drop-in DaySaturday, February 24, 2007 Hintonburg / Mechanicsville Neighbourhood Plan and the Wellington Street West RenewalThe City of Ottawa has commenced three projects in the Hintonburg / West Wellington / Mechanicsville neighbourhoods:
These three projects are being coordinated under the shared name Neighbourhood Planning Initiative (NPI). Public input and comment on all three projects will be welcomed throughout the process and this newsletter has been developed to provide you with background information and details on how you can keep informed. Drop-in Day: Come find out what it's all about!There will be on-going communication and public involvement with residents, landowners, and the business community throughout the study process. Learn more about the project objectives and how to become involved at the first informal public open house. There will be information available and officials will be present to answer questions and gather your feedback. Displays will also provide information on other interesting community projects. The Study AreaThe focus area common to all three studies includes an approximately 1.8 km portion of Wellington Street West from Island Park Drive to Bayswater Avenue, as well as the adjoining portion of Somerset Street easterly to Breezehill Avenue North. This will be referred to as the Wellington Street West Corridor. The Neighbourhood Plan component will focus on the broader geography of the Hintonburg and Mechanicsville neighbourhoods. Wellington Street West Reconstruction – Functional DesignThe City is undertaking the preliminary or “functional” design to guide the reconstruction of the Wellington Street West right-of-way. Ultimately, the construction work will include the introduction, rehabilitation or replacement of:
The existing street infrastructure has reached the end of its life cycle, and the City has identified the need for renewal. It is noted that the portion of the Corridor from Island Park Drive to Western Avenue was reconstructed in 2005. The City has retained Delcan Corporation to lead the preparation of the Functional Design and to provide transportation planning support to the overall Neighbourhood Planning Initiative. The project is being planned to meet the requirements of Ontario’s Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) that may apply. Wellington Street West Community Design Plan (CDP)The CDP will guide both the development of private lands and any undertakings of public works (both the City and other government agencies) along the Corridor and generally within one block of land adjacent to it. The CDP will create a vision and a means to implement that vision in ways that will satisfy both community aspirations and the relevant policies of the City’s Official Plan. The CDP will guide changes over the next 20 years for the area involving the following matters:
Other neighbourhood blocks, which may be impacted by development along, or just off of the corridor, will also be considered within the CDP process. These include, among others, the north and south sides of the Wellington Street West corridor, and the vicinity of the Parkdale Market and Holland Cross to Scott Street. Hintonburg / Mechanicsville Neighbourhood PlanIn addition to the two studies that focus on the Wellington Street West Corridor, the City embarked, in summer 2006, on a Neighbourhood Plan for a wider area. This plan will look more broadly at the social and economic issues and needs of the Hintonburg and Mechanicsville neighbourhoods and the entire Wellington Street West Corridor described above. Some of the issues that may be included within the plan include: Arts, Heritage, Public Safety, Housing, Economic Development, Environment, Community Programs and Facilities, and Health needs of the community. The result of this process will be a strategic plan document that identifies neighbourhood opportunities, constraints, and issues, together with recommended strategies and actions to pursue the community’s vision and goals for the future. The three planning projects are being coordinated within the NPI framework. The aim is that they be undertaken in a co-ordinated way that allows for a sharing of ideas and resources. The CDP process and the Road Reconstruction have products that need to be completed by September 2007. The Road Reconstruction needs to develop a Functional Design Plan, and the CDP needs to produce a Community Design Document. The Neighbourhood Plan, however, will not be completed until the early months of 2008. Actual construction work along the Wellington West corridor is planned for spring 2008. Key IssuesThe study area has a rich history and a wide range of assets as well as needs. The Wellington Street West Corridor is designated as both an Arterial Road and a Traditional Mainstreet in the City of Ottawa Official Plan. It is also designated as part of a Transit Priority Corridor. This corridor is expected to play a strategic role in the future of the adjoining neighbourhoods and the entire City of Ottawa. Accordingly, plans for the Street’s renewal will have regard for its planned function as an historic, mixed-use, multi-modal transportation corridor serving established neighbourhoods. Key issues to be addressed through the ongoing NPI studies include:
Community Continuity Task Force (CTF) InitiatedA 25-member community task force has been struck to serve as a key advisory body to each of the three projects described in this newsletter. Members were identified through a number of selection processes and discussions with the community to ensure a broad representation of the community. The term "Continuity Task Force" was chosen because it is intended that these representatives from the community will form a consistent core of individuals who will take part in all meetings and information sessions. This will provide a critical mass of individuals, connected to the wider community, who are aware of the full range of issues and the discussion around each one of them. Each member of the CTF will serve as a liaison between the NPI projects and the constituency they represent - bringing community input to meetings and disseminating information outward. You will find the names of the CTF representative on the City’s web site at ottawa.ca. How to Get InvolvedStakeholder involvement activities will include:
There will be public meetings where everyone is invited to give feedback:
In addition to these events, the projects will benefit from ongoing guidance by the Continuity Task Force (CTF) that includes participation of representatives from a wide cross-section of resident and business interests. The CTF will solicit feedback and ideas from their constituents, work toward resolving issues of concern, and then provide updates on the proceedings of themed meetings back to their constituents. Notification of public sessions will be provided in advance of those events. In addition, information on all three of the City’s projects listed above can be found on the City of Ottawa Web site, ottawa.ca under the “Public Consultation” section. Study TimingIn the summer months following the completion of the above-mentioned study activities, plans and designs will be drafted and revised based on feedback. In fall 2007, staff reports will be prepared and presented to the appropriate City of Ottawa Committees of Council for their recommendation to City Council. This will provide an additional opportunity for stakeholder involvement. It is anticipated that Council will make decisions to approve the studies in fall 2007. Further Information, Questions or CommentsFurther information is provided on the City's Web site, ottawa.ca. Click on "Residents" and under "Public Consultation", select "Neighbourhood Planning". Comments or questions are welcomed by: Neighbourhood Planning Initiative Wendy Royer |
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