DCA Agenda for 2 Feb 2011
Dca agenda 2 Feb 2011. Locale: Dal.Community Centre, corner of Empress at Somerset, 7.30pm; ground floor (by the pop machine).
Times shown below are just to help in planning the meeting
1. Presentation on the proposed condo building at the corner of Somerset/Booth. This proposal has been revised to address (some) of our concerns previously expressed. Some new drawings and options. 7.30 – 8pm
2. Catherine and Charles went to Toronto to attend a Sec 37 meeting (municipal tradeoffs for additional height and density to developers). Report on what they learned, and motion to reimburse some funds. 8 – 8.15
3. Soho italia: brief review of the project. Eric is meeting with developers on Tuesday Feb 1st but developers have elected not to meet with the DCA at this time. To see developer’s package of drawings, go to http://westsideaction.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/soho-italia-the-developers-proposal/. Other posts the days before and after the one above, detail the proposal and its ramifications for those keen enough to read it all. Developer wants to schedule a separate meeting with DCA board on the subject later in Feb. 8.15--8.45
4. The City has set up a study group on pedestrian access to the proposed LRT stations. Eric sits on this PAC (as well as the very closely related one on actual station building design). Of main concern is Bayswater station, which has been radically downsized, and for which the City seems convinced is only a transfer station with minimal walk in traffic. Motion to request DH set up a public advisory group of transit station users from the neighborhood(s) to meet with the staff to ensure the station functions well for walk ins. 10 min.
5. Brief update on Somerset between Preston and Bayswater reconstruction. 10 min.
6. Brief report on Prostitution round-table with Paul Dewar and other community assoc. 5min.
7. Albert street redesign: from the budget: This project involves the renewal of Albert Street between City Centre Ave & Bronson Ave. The scope of work includes full roadway, curb &
sidewalk reconstruction. The existing water mains, valves, hydrants,
and lead services will be replaced to the property line. The project
will see the existing combined sewer replaced with new separate
sanitary & storm sewers. The sewer house service connections will
also be replaced to the property line. The current funding allocation
will allow for the design of the rehabilitation of Albert St, including
liaison with the Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel design team.
Reconstruction in a future year. The 2011 Total Project Estimate of
$610K is comprised of: Roads - $140K, Sanitary Sewers - $170K,
Storm Drainage - $120K & Water Mains - $180K. A portion of Sanitary
Sewer component for this project is to be funded from the
Development Charges By-Law No. 2009 - 216, reference items 10.074
and 10.179 on schedule B-17.
OK, so the DESIGN OF THE reconstruction of Albert is in the budget. We need to know if this is like Bronson, just a repaving that incidentally widens the lanes, adds turning lanes, enlarges the booth intersection, or ...
is albert part of a traditional mainstreet or scenic entryway route? Can we get the ped path on the north side widened and turned into a real two way MUP/bike lane/Bikewest? Can we improve the awful sidewalk conditions on the south side, especially where OCH is installing the world's uggliest graffiti wall on the north side walls in front of their projects? Improved lighting? curb lanes for bikes? trees? more trees? can we prevent the repaving from turning it into a speedway?
will the city work with adjacent property owners to replace the mish-mash of ugly & collapsing retaining walls on the south side?
By the end of the discussion, Eric would like a motion to the councilor calling on her to ensure the reconstructions study becomes a full-fledged street re-design study for all modes and the community, similar to what is needed for Bronson. 15minutes
8. to discuss the Universal Bus Pass at Carleton and the University of Ottawa and have the DCA consider passing a motion in support of continuing the program. The pilot project started in September, and car usage to Carleton University has dropped 12%, student transit ridership increased about 20% while in September the city-wide ridership compared to September 2009 increased 3.7% . The City estimates the cost of the program to be $3 million per year, although my calculations suggest that figure is high for several reasons: 1) it doesn't include provincial funding increases resulting from increased ridership, and 2) doesn't include money saved from less OC Transpo administrative costs, less road wear, interest earned on upfront fee collection, cleaner air and, most importantly, evidence indicating that students who use public transit are more likely to become lifelong transit users.
9. City budget: what was in it for this community? We identified our priorities as Somerset reconstruction up to Booth; the Otrain bike corridor. What is the status of Bronson design study, of Carling reconstruction. Other ward issues”? 10 min.
10. Other items??
Times shown below are just to help in planning the meeting
1. Presentation on the proposed condo building at the corner of Somerset/Booth. This proposal has been revised to address (some) of our concerns previously expressed. Some new drawings and options. 7.30 – 8pm
2. Catherine and Charles went to Toronto to attend a Sec 37 meeting (municipal tradeoffs for additional height and density to developers). Report on what they learned, and motion to reimburse some funds. 8 – 8.15
3. Soho italia: brief review of the project. Eric is meeting with developers on Tuesday Feb 1st but developers have elected not to meet with the DCA at this time. To see developer’s package of drawings, go to http://westsideaction.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/soho-italia-the-developers-proposal/. Other posts the days before and after the one above, detail the proposal and its ramifications for those keen enough to read it all. Developer wants to schedule a separate meeting with DCA board on the subject later in Feb. 8.15--8.45
4. The City has set up a study group on pedestrian access to the proposed LRT stations. Eric sits on this PAC (as well as the very closely related one on actual station building design). Of main concern is Bayswater station, which has been radically downsized, and for which the City seems convinced is only a transfer station with minimal walk in traffic. Motion to request DH set up a public advisory group of transit station users from the neighborhood(s) to meet with the staff to ensure the station functions well for walk ins. 10 min.
5. Brief update on Somerset between Preston and Bayswater reconstruction. 10 min.
6. Brief report on Prostitution round-table with Paul Dewar and other community assoc. 5min.
7. Albert street redesign: from the budget: This project involves the renewal of Albert Street between City Centre Ave & Bronson Ave. The scope of work includes full roadway, curb &
sidewalk reconstruction. The existing water mains, valves, hydrants,
and lead services will be replaced to the property line. The project
will see the existing combined sewer replaced with new separate
sanitary & storm sewers. The sewer house service connections will
also be replaced to the property line. The current funding allocation
will allow for the design of the rehabilitation of Albert St, including
liaison with the Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel design team.
Reconstruction in a future year. The 2011 Total Project Estimate of
$610K is comprised of: Roads - $140K, Sanitary Sewers - $170K,
Storm Drainage - $120K & Water Mains - $180K. A portion of Sanitary
Sewer component for this project is to be funded from the
Development Charges By-Law No. 2009 - 216, reference items 10.074
and 10.179 on schedule B-17.
OK, so the DESIGN OF THE reconstruction of Albert is in the budget. We need to know if this is like Bronson, just a repaving that incidentally widens the lanes, adds turning lanes, enlarges the booth intersection, or ...
is albert part of a traditional mainstreet or scenic entryway route? Can we get the ped path on the north side widened and turned into a real two way MUP/bike lane/Bikewest? Can we improve the awful sidewalk conditions on the south side, especially where OCH is installing the world's uggliest graffiti wall on the north side walls in front of their projects? Improved lighting? curb lanes for bikes? trees? more trees? can we prevent the repaving from turning it into a speedway?
will the city work with adjacent property owners to replace the mish-mash of ugly & collapsing retaining walls on the south side?
By the end of the discussion, Eric would like a motion to the councilor calling on her to ensure the reconstructions study becomes a full-fledged street re-design study for all modes and the community, similar to what is needed for Bronson. 15minutes
8. to discuss the Universal Bus Pass at Carleton and the University of Ottawa and have the DCA consider passing a motion in support of continuing the program. The pilot project started in September, and car usage to Carleton University has dropped 12%, student transit ridership increased about 20% while in September the city-wide ridership compared to September 2009 increased 3.7% . The City estimates the cost of the program to be $3 million per year, although my calculations suggest that figure is high for several reasons: 1) it doesn't include provincial funding increases resulting from increased ridership, and 2) doesn't include money saved from less OC Transpo administrative costs, less road wear, interest earned on upfront fee collection, cleaner air and, most importantly, evidence indicating that students who use public transit are more likely to become lifelong transit users.
9. City budget: what was in it for this community? We identified our priorities as Somerset reconstruction up to Booth; the Otrain bike corridor. What is the status of Bronson design study, of Carling reconstruction. Other ward issues”? 10 min.
10. Other items??
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