Dalhousie Community Association

6 Sept 2012 Diane Holmes Councillor, Somerset Ward Re: Recycling the Bank Street Promenade Street Furniture We have noticed that the former furniture used on the Bank Street Promenade is now enjoying outdoor storage at the Bayview Yards (photo attached). This furniture has minor cosmetic wear and tear and appears to only need repainting in order to be reused. Given the significant cost of benches, we would like to suggest it be reused in our Ward. For example, Gladstone Avenue has no BIA but is an important residential and commercial “mainstreet” . We suggest that a number of places can be identified along the street where benches would be suitable, eg near bus stops, seniors’ residences, schools, and corner stores. Concerns were expressed before benches were installed along Preston and Somerset that these might attract undesirable activities and loitering. However, these fears proved unfounded, and the benches on these streets are always busy with people. Making the stre...

The City is conducting an environmental assessment towards building a new pedestrian & cyclist bridge over the OTrain cut at Hickory Street. This will greatly improve access to the OTrain station at Carling, facilitate access from the east side to the Preston mainstreet, and help sell condos along Champagne. To this end, the developers are contributing a significant chunk of the money for the bridge. Here is the DCA letter to the city study team on the location and design of the bridge: Hickory Street Crossing The Dalhousie Community Association supports the prompt construction of ped-cyclist crossing of the OTrain cut in the vicinity of Hickory Street. Alignment: the Hickory – Adeline Street alignment is our preferred option. It is the most useful location for recreational, commuting, and other uses. We want to note that in addition to the north-south MUP on the east side of the OTrain cut, another one is proposed on the west side of the cut. The proposed developments at...

Planning Committee is considering the rezoning of 486 and 500 Preston St, better (and perhaps inevitably) known as SoHo Italia. As we have expressed previously, the association remains extremely concerned that important decisions on the major developable lots are happening in advance of the completion of the area's community design plan, which has now been ongoing for half a decade. DCA Soho Italia Planning Committee Letter June 24

DCA Minutes, 2 May 2012 Present: Michael Hatfield, Charles Akben-Marchand, Ida Henderson, David Seaborn, Pat Snair, Stephanie Strudwick, Don Smith, Heather Hossie, Wendy Hunter, Michael Powell, Grant Holly, Samantha McGavin, Sean Darcy, Rob Bryce, Pam Connolly, Eric Darwin, Jon Svazas Minutes of April : with minor corrections, minutes were approved Development Committee report: • the basics of the Claridge proposal for 505 Preston (at Carling) were reviewed, ie 45 stories, on a three to six floor podium, no comment as yet as it is still very preliminary proposal. • Planning Committee at the City has passed the infill zoning guidelines , to which we had input, we are pleased to see the new rules passed • 72 Cambridge went to the Committee of Adjustment to approve the 7 apartments now built, but the Committee turned it down, citing complaints about the landlord’s previous lack of attention to the property. Landlord agreed to abide by the Committee’s decision to allow onl...

DALHOUSIE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 755 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6R1 Eric Darwin, President 8 April, 2012 Councillor Diane Holmes Somerset Ward At the April 4th board meeting of the Dalhousie Community Association, a number of members expressed great satisfaction at the promptness and thoroughness of the spring street cleaning in our neighborhood. More than one member noted that the dead ends, street closures, and other difficult spots were cleaned promptly by crews with hand brooms working with considerable enthusiasm. We realize that many citizens limit their interaction with the City to complaints. We plead guilty to too often focusing on the problems and not the successes. But we did pass a unanimous motion thanking the city for the prompt cleaning this year and hope you can pass on our gratefulness to the appropriate department and crews. Their work was noticed and appreciated. Sincerely, Eric Darwin, President.

From low rise to high rise ... change is coming...  artist impression shows the area north of Somerset, west of Preston. New buildings are up to 30 floors high. Where will development be? How big will it be? When will it happen? What will be built? You are invited to a PUBLIC OPEN FORUM on Development Along the O-Train Corridor Hosted by the Dalhousie and Hintonburg Community Associations 6 March 2012, 7:00 pm Tom Brown Arena 141 Bayview Rd., near Scott/Albert St. • The City of Ottawa is making rules for new development along the O-Train tracks and the future light rail corridor. • Several large developments are already in the planning stages. • This Open Forum will provide information on the City’s planning process, what has been approved already, and what is being considered. • Find out what is happening and make your views heard!