KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North Vol.

7, Issue 2 - February, 2013

WARD COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY MEETING Monday, February 25th, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. New location - Mlacak Centre, Halls B&C, 2500 Campeau Dr.
There will be a brief Ward Council meeting on Monday, February 25th from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. to provide information on imminent issues blasting for construction at 124 Battersea (Kanata Ave at former Richardson Side Road); the zoning report for Outlet Mall; time capsules for the Richcraft Recreation Complex; update on the Town Centre zoning; public meetings on radon gas, Blanding turtles and drainage for KNL lands.

OFFICIAL PLAN & TRANSPORTATION PLAN COMMUNITY MEETING

At 7:00 p.m. attend an important community session where you can put forward your ideas, concerns about, and vision for how you want development in Kanata to proceed. I am sponsoring this event, which will be led by local community associations. The City of Ottawa is updating its Official Plan which sets out how development will occur throughout the City. This is your opportunity to help frame what will happen in Kanata from buildings in the Town Centre lands along the 417, to what can be built at Klondike and March, and how everything will be serviced and funded. The Transportation, Cycling, Pedestrian and Infrastructure Plans are part of the plan for which there will be meetings later in the spring. In advance go to ottawa.ca/livableottawa and review the 12 areas that have been suggested for changes, see if anything is being missed, and come to our community forum with your views.

PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION ON RADON GAS Monday, March 4th, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Mlacak Centre, Halls C&D, 2500 Campeau Dr.
Radon is a colourless, odourless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the environment, coming from the natural breakdown of uranium in soils and rocks. It is widely found in homes across Canada.

It does not tend to be an issue outside, as it dilutes to harmless levels in the atmosphere. However, in a confined space like a basement radon can accumulate to high levels. Exposure to high concentrations of radon can increase a persons risk of developing lung cancer. A number of residents have contacted me about their concerns over radon in homes, so I have organized a public meeting, with assistance from Health Canada, to provide you with information and answer questions. A representative from Tarion Warranty Corporation will also be speaking about radon warranty coverage under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. This meeting is open to all residents, not just those in Kanata North, as radon can be found everywhere. Please let your friends and neighbours across the city know about this information meeting which will both inform you and provide recommendations on actions that can ensure you have a safe level in your home.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY BREAKFAST Tuesday, March 5th 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Mlacak Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr.
I am hosting again, an International Womens Day Breakfast on March 5th at 7:00 a.m. at the Mlacak Centre. This is primarily for women for networking and to hear Ann Max, a motivational speaker, inspiring coach, facilitator and trainer. She will speak about her program to empower female business executives, entrepreneurs and individuals to achieve personal and professional goals. I have also invited local women authors and artists to display their books and paintings and tell you about their creative works. You must RSVP to [email protected] or call 613-580-2474 to reserve a spot.

PUBLIC MEETING ON DRAINAGE FROM THE BEAVER POND & THE BLANDING TURTLE STUDY Monday March 18th, 6:30 8:30 p.m. Mlacak Centre, Presentations and Q & A at 7 p.m.
This Public Meeting includes the interim results of the study done by AECON for the City of Ottawa on drainage from Watts Creek at the Beaver Pond and Shirleys Brook, both of which drain the KNL lands. This is your opportunity to provide input into the drainage study before it is finalized. A second meeting will be held once the Final Draft Report is received likely in May. The report will not recommend the drainage plan for the KNL lands but will make some suggestions about how to approach it. KNL will be developing their own drainage plan along with a grading plan,

which will then need City approval before any construction can proceed. The Blanding Turtle Study is now complete, so the final report will be presented at the meeting. This will include recommendations arising from it.

124 BATTERSEA CRESCENT - NOTICE OF BLASTING

The City of Ottawa approved the Site Plan for Brigils condominium development at 124 Battersea Crescent (at the corner of old Richardson Side Road and Kanata Avenue) in January. The contractors for Brigil are preparing to undertake site earthworks, starting in February. The earthworks operation will include site blasting operations that will continue for a period of approximately eight weeks. The Contractor is responsible for undertaking a pre-blast survey of the surrounding buildings as part of the site blasting operations. Local residents will be contacted regarding a pre-construction investigation of all existing structures within the surrounding pre-blast survey area. If you are not contacted or have any questions contact Gregory Winters from Novatech Engineering at [email protected] or Tel: (613) 254-9643x241

TANGER OUTLET MALL AT PLANNING COMMITTEE

The zoning Bylaw for the Outlet Mall that will be constructed off Paladium Drive, between the road and the north Highway 417, is on the agenda of the Planning Committee on February 26th. The zoning will provide for approximately 90 outlet stores, a hotel and open space along Feedmill Creek. Once zoning is finalized, a detailed site plan will be filed with the City, at which time I will include a review of that plan at a future Ward Council meeting. At that time, you will be able to review the site plan and pass on any comments to me. Construction is anticipated to begin later this year.

RICHCRAFT RECREATION COMPLEX KANATA UPDATE

Construction is moving forward on schedule, with an opening expected to be in November this year. The community group has just launched a website, www.richcraftcomplex.ca where you will be able to find updates on construction and information about the fundraising for the parts of the complex requested by the City. Two key fundraising initiatives just getting underway are time capsules and commemorative pavers. The time capsules will be placed in a vault in the complex on opening day. The vault will be reopened in 50 years. We have on order bamboo containers which you can purchase for $20 each (you can purchase more than one). You can place your mementos in the time capsules for future generations.

These capsules will only be available at particular locations and times. They can only be purchased and filled on site. You will get a numbered certificate for each capsule so your family can find your personal capsule(s) when the vault is opened. Details of locations and times to buy them will be on the website once the containers arrive. Pavers, with your name or business logo etched into them, are available to any person or business donating a minimum of $500. Tax receipts will be provided for these donations. Soon you will be able to make donations through the website.

Nominations for Bruce Timmermans Cycling Awards

The City of Ottawa is seeking nominations for the annual Bruce Timmermans Cycling Awards for individuals and organizations who demonstrate a genuine commitment to cycling in our community. Submit your nomination online at ottawa.ca or pick up a nomination form at your local library. Nominations must be received by March 1. The Bruce Timmermans Cycling Awards program was created by the City of Ottawa in honour of Bruce Timmermans, a long-time cycling educator and advocate, an active member of the Ottawa Bicycle Club and a founding member of Citizens for Safe Cycling. Two awards are presented, each year at the end of May, to recognize outstanding contributions to encourage cycling. One award is presented to an individual and the second to an organization.

Family Day Event at John G. Mlacak Arena

Everyone who came out to skate on Family Day seemed to have a great time. I loved seeing the small children learning to skate! Thanks to Chartwell Kanata who provided free hot chocolate and cookies, and to MPP Jack MacLaren for funding an hour of ice time at the arena. I plan to continue this event on an annual basis and look forward to seeing even more out next year.

The Link Between Kids Who Walk or Bike to School and Concentration
An article by Sarah Goodyear shows the academic benefit of children walking to school. A summary of the findings is given here: In 1969, 50 per cent of kids in the United States walked to school every day. In 2009 that number plummeted down to 13 per cent. Today, most parents are choosing to drive their kids to school because they perceive this choice as safer due to heavy car congestion, and more convenient despite shorter distances between home and school. But would this choice change if parents knew that having their kids walk or bike to school actually had tangible benefits (aside from exercise)? A Danish study released last year explains that there is a cognitive relationship between walking and cycling to school

and a students ability to concentrate. The study shows that active transportation can improve students academic performance and comprehension of their neighbourhood surroundings. Read the full article here

2013 Planning Primer Program Primer I Course Feb. 23rd and 25th
Have you ever wondered how land-use planning is done? What those black and white signs in your community mean? How a zoning application is made? How to make a presentation to Planning Committee? What land-use planners do for your community? The Planning and Growth Management Department is offering the Planning Primer Program to help residents become more aware of, and more involved in, the land-use planning process. The program is a series of half-day courses. The series includes two core courses and two elective courses. You must take the Primer 1 core course before taking any other ones. Details are on ottawa.ca. Sign up now at register or contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

Add your voice, help move the City forward City positions are presently available as follows:
Volunteer citizen representative on the Transit Commission; Vounteer on the Mohrs Landing/Quyon Port Authority; For details on these positions and how to apply, go to www.ottawa.ca or email [email protected]. Applications must be received by 4 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013.

Beautifying Your Community Creates A Safer Community: Saturday April 6, 9 am- 1 pm, Immaculata High School, 140 Main St.
Preventing crime and keeping communities safe starts at the grassroots. When residents, businesses and groups take pride in their neighbourhoods, great things happen. The evidence tells us that cleaner, greener communities are safer communities. Community Solutions: Beautification Today, Safer Tomorrow, is a half-day Crime Prevention Ottawa conference. Neighbor Power author Jim Diers will talk about engaging people in communitybased projects to help prevent crime and enhance safety. There will also be two breakout sessions where you will learn about successful community-based projects that you can implement in your neighbourhood. For information contact [email protected].

Confederation Line Project Agreement finalized

The City of Ottawa has finalized the Project Agreement with Rideau Transit Group (RTG) to design, build, finance and maintain Ottawas new 12.5-kilometre Confederation Line Light Rail project, as well as widen Highway 417 from Nicholas Street to Highway 174. Construction will begin this spring and will include the start of widening of Highway 417 between Nicholas Street and Highway 174. Work will also begin at the Maintenance and Storage Facility on Belfast Road. RTG will also continue work on completing its designs, hiring local sub-contractors and project staff, and commencing the work necessary to start excavation of the 2.5-kilometre tunnel under downtown Ottawa. As construction proceeds, there will be an impact on traffic, including congestion in the construction areas that will affect both vehicles and transit. Details will be provided as situations arise. Once finished, transit service will be greatly enhanced. Construction of the Confederation Line will generate over 3,200 direct person-years of trades employment, 700-person years of highly skilled technical staff employment and 375 person-years of engineering employment in the Ottawa area. These direct jobs will create a multiplier effect in the local economy, which is anticipated to generate over 20,000 person years of indirect employment over the construction period. The final project agreements related to the Confederation Line project are currently being prepared for posting on Ottawa.ca, scheduled to be available February 22nd.

COMING EVENTS
February 25, 6:30 p.m., Ward Council, Mlacak Centre February 25, 7:00 p.m., Community input into Official Plan, Mlacak Centre February 27, 7:00 p.m., AGM for Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association & audio-visual presentation on Arctic Exploration March 4, 7:00 p.m., Radon Gas Information Meeting, Mlacak Centre March 5, 7:00 a.m., International Womens Day Breakfast RSVP to [email protected] March 6, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Open House for Greenwoods Academy Montessori School 1056 Klondike Road Kanata, ON March 18, 6:30 p.m., Public Open House & Meeting on Drainage from the Beaver Pond and Blanding Turtle Study, Mlacak Centre March 20, 7:00 p.m., AGM Kanata Food cupboard, St. Pauls, Young Road March 25, 7:00 p.m., Ward Council, Program Room, Kanata Seniors Centre