Here is the text from a letter I wrote to the Ottawa Citizen today:
At yesterday’s joint Transport/Transit meeting to review and approve the updated City of Ottawa draft Transportation Master Plan (TMP), some 25 delegations presented comments and in some cases alternative visions for elements of the plan. Several things became evident as the day progressed. Firstly the nature of many of the delegate presentations revealed significant inconsistencies in the draft TMP, suggesting that it is not yet ready for presentation to council. Secondly, it was clear from questions and comments from councillors that many of them already have their minds made up notwithstanding the validity of delegates’ input. Thirdly, an alternative vision of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system offered by Councillors Doucet and Leadman was rejected without providing time for the serious consideration it clearly deserves.
Significant effort made by individual delegates is largely unappreciated and valuable suggestions go ignored. Council decisions regarding the direction the TMP will take are formed even before staff effort is completed. City staff clearly worked hard to develop the draft plan presented to the committee. Unfortunately, the work they do is based on direction from councillors some of whom have unbending political agendas and allegiances.
Council members are not experts in the complex fields of transportation and transit, so are not qualified to take a final decision on the TMP without independent expert overview. A plan of this complexity should be subject to arm’s length review by a panel of experts before being presented for approval. Why the hurry to approve this important plan without taking the time to get it right?
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
RPCA Elects a New President
At the RPCA annual general meeting on October 15 nobody appeared willing to stand for nomination as president. So the matter was put to the board to select a president from within its ranks at the next board meeting. In the meantime one person, Brant Scott, came forward indicating he was willing to stand. The board voted to accept Brant as president. RPCA now has an official point of contact for communications with our city ward representative, Councillor Peter Hume.
The elephant in the room is conflict of interest resulting from accepting Brant Scott as president of RPCA. Susan Scott, Brant’s wife, is Councillor Peter Hume’s assistant at City Hall. This is unfortunate, particularly given some of the development, transportation and transit issues that are of concern in the Riverview Park community right now. It will be interesting to learn how Brant Scott and Councillor Peter Hume propose to avoid potential conflicts when these and other issues arise. For too long RPCA leadership has cooperated with their Ward representative and has failed to effectively reflect the concerns of the community.
Councillor Hume has stated that he will produce letters from RPCA, and other community associations in his ward, in support of the Hospital Lands Plan. Formal support by the board is premature. Individual members of RPCA have expressed opposition, the membership as a whole needs to be consulted. Not only must opinions of the entire membership be reflected in any letter but it should be noted that the RPCA does not and cannot reflect the majority view of Riverside Park.
It should be remembered that RPCA membership is small relative to the size of the Riverview Park community. RPCA has some fence mending, and dare I say “bridge building,” to do so its membership can grow to a level where it can effectively represent the community.
The elephant in the room is conflict of interest resulting from accepting Brant Scott as president of RPCA. Susan Scott, Brant’s wife, is Councillor Peter Hume’s assistant at City Hall. This is unfortunate, particularly given some of the development, transportation and transit issues that are of concern in the Riverview Park community right now. It will be interesting to learn how Brant Scott and Councillor Peter Hume propose to avoid potential conflicts when these and other issues arise. For too long RPCA leadership has cooperated with their Ward representative and has failed to effectively reflect the concerns of the community.
Councillor Hume has stated that he will produce letters from RPCA, and other community associations in his ward, in support of the Hospital Lands Plan. Formal support by the board is premature. Individual members of RPCA have expressed opposition, the membership as a whole needs to be consulted. Not only must opinions of the entire membership be reflected in any letter but it should be noted that the RPCA does not and cannot reflect the majority view of Riverside Park.
It should be remembered that RPCA membership is small relative to the size of the Riverview Park community. RPCA has some fence mending, and dare I say “bridge building,” to do so its membership can grow to a level where it can effectively represent the community.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Planning and Environment Committee meeting, Oct 28, 2008
I sat in on this meeting today. In particular I was interested in the discussion and vote on the Hospital Lands Area Plan and the proposed zoning by-law amendment.
At the start of the discussion Councillor Clive Doucet asked for a deferral of this item to the next meeting as he had only received the report the previous day and needed time to review it with community groups. In his usual arrogant style Councillor Peter Hume "Chair" noted that the report had been available for over a week and this was sufficient reiew time.
Doucet noted that one of the reasons that review time is needed is that the hopital lands conceptual design assumes that the AVTC is in place, so it is important to review the report with his community. Hume indicated that community associations in his ward support the plan and that he would present letters of support from them to council when they are asked to vote on it. He also suggested that Doucet would have time for a review within his community before the next council meeting. no other committee members would agree to a deferral, notwithstanding that the plan and the report have taken years to get to this point. Doucet noted that there are "thousands" of people in the Alta Vista community who are opposed to current transportation plans (AVTC, Browning, etc.).
Speaking as a member of an RPCA committee on planning issues Francois Allard noted that many Riverview Park residents are opposed to the plan as well as the AVTC and the proposed Browning Rapid Transit Corridor both of which are assumed to be in place as a basis for the plan. He noted that Hume was on record as opposing the Browning corridor, so it was "mind boggling" that he wanted to proceed to approval without these issues being addressed properly. People do not easily make the connection between a planned community development and the transit/transportation implications. Hume said the City made every effort to inform the community and to encourage comments.
Doucet believes this is a "rogue" plan; the concept of building a $62M, 1.8Km hospital link and later following through spending staggering amounts to bridge the Rideau River in later stages of AVTC construction will make the $62M look like "child's play." Doucet said he will abstain from voting on this issue today.
Hume noted that the report is a "land use plan" only, for use in the future. In other words, what is in the plan will not necessarily be implemented, that will be up to the developers! The plan was carried with one abstention. Several people including Diane Holmes and Gordon Hunter were absent from this session.
At the start of the discussion Councillor Clive Doucet asked for a deferral of this item to the next meeting as he had only received the report the previous day and needed time to review it with community groups. In his usual arrogant style Councillor Peter Hume "Chair" noted that the report had been available for over a week and this was sufficient reiew time.
Doucet noted that one of the reasons that review time is needed is that the hopital lands conceptual design assumes that the AVTC is in place, so it is important to review the report with his community. Hume indicated that community associations in his ward support the plan and that he would present letters of support from them to council when they are asked to vote on it. He also suggested that Doucet would have time for a review within his community before the next council meeting. no other committee members would agree to a deferral, notwithstanding that the plan and the report have taken years to get to this point. Doucet noted that there are "thousands" of people in the Alta Vista community who are opposed to current transportation plans (AVTC, Browning, etc.).
Speaking as a member of an RPCA committee on planning issues Francois Allard noted that many Riverview Park residents are opposed to the plan as well as the AVTC and the proposed Browning Rapid Transit Corridor both of which are assumed to be in place as a basis for the plan. He noted that Hume was on record as opposing the Browning corridor, so it was "mind boggling" that he wanted to proceed to approval without these issues being addressed properly. People do not easily make the connection between a planned community development and the transit/transportation implications. Hume said the City made every effort to inform the community and to encourage comments.
Doucet believes this is a "rogue" plan; the concept of building a $62M, 1.8Km hospital link and later following through spending staggering amounts to bridge the Rideau River in later stages of AVTC construction will make the $62M look like "child's play." Doucet said he will abstain from voting on this issue today.
Hume noted that the report is a "land use plan" only, for use in the future. In other words, what is in the plan will not necessarily be implemented, that will be up to the developers! The plan was carried with one abstention. Several people including Diane Holmes and Gordon Hunter were absent from this session.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I'm Back!
The election is over, it was hard work and quite rewarding. We didn't get quite the share of votes we had hoped for, but not too bad considering the numbers whom apparently "voted strategically" whatever that really means. We increased the Green Party vote share in Ottawa South significantly and I am sure we will do even better next time.
Anyway, back to community and municipal government issues for a while:
The pending Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Browning Avenue section of the eastbound transit link has been an issue lately. Peter Hume has supported the community in having the scope of the EA expanded to encompass alternative options. But I can't help thinking that the whole thing is a red herring to distract Riverview Park residents who oppose construction of the hospital link section of the AVTC.
Clive doucet is promoting a Rail Row initiative that proposes Carling Avenue as a key link for westbound light rail. I think this is a great idea. It has never been given serious consideration by council to date. It's time they took a serious look at it! Today I emailed Peter Hume, asking if he supports Clive's initiative. I will let you know his answer.
I was very sorry to see that David Chernushenko resigned from the Green Party. Although he denies it, I still believe it is "sour grapes" and I hope he will reconsider. However, every cloud has a silver lining and this one is that David is considering entering municipal politics in 2010.
It has been suggested that he might run in Capital Ward, presumably with Clive Doucet's blessing? I would prefer that Clive stay on for one more term and that David run against Peter Hume in Alta Vista Ward. It's time we had a viable candidate to run against Hume. If Hume decides to run for mayor, the seat could be wide open for David, he would do great things in this ward and on council generally.
I will be attending council and committee meetings over the next couple of weeks and will report my views and findings on this blog.
Anyway, back to community and municipal government issues for a while:
The pending Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Browning Avenue section of the eastbound transit link has been an issue lately. Peter Hume has supported the community in having the scope of the EA expanded to encompass alternative options. But I can't help thinking that the whole thing is a red herring to distract Riverview Park residents who oppose construction of the hospital link section of the AVTC.
Clive doucet is promoting a Rail Row initiative that proposes Carling Avenue as a key link for westbound light rail. I think this is a great idea. It has never been given serious consideration by council to date. It's time they took a serious look at it! Today I emailed Peter Hume, asking if he supports Clive's initiative. I will let you know his answer.
I was very sorry to see that David Chernushenko resigned from the Green Party. Although he denies it, I still believe it is "sour grapes" and I hope he will reconsider. However, every cloud has a silver lining and this one is that David is considering entering municipal politics in 2010.
It has been suggested that he might run in Capital Ward, presumably with Clive Doucet's blessing? I would prefer that Clive stay on for one more term and that David run against Peter Hume in Alta Vista Ward. It's time we had a viable candidate to run against Hume. If Hume decides to run for mayor, the seat could be wide open for David, he would do great things in this ward and on council generally.
I will be attending council and committee meetings over the next couple of weeks and will report my views and findings on this blog.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Waiting for the Writ to Drop
I have not had the opportunity to work on this blog over the past couple of weeks and if Prime Minister Harper drops the writ soon, I'll be campaigning full-time for Dr. Qais Ghanem, the Green Party of Canada candidate for Ottawa South. We have been very successful with polling through last winter and spring and plan on giving the McGuinty clan a good run for its money in Ottawa South.
If you are interested, go to our website http://www.ottawasouthgreenparty.ca. I will resume postings to this blog as soon as the election finishes or signs of an iminent elction call disappear. Please feel free to comment on my rants so far.
If you are interested, go to our website http://www.ottawasouthgreenparty.ca. I will resume postings to this blog as soon as the election finishes or signs of an iminent elction call disappear. Please feel free to comment on my rants so far.
Monday, August 4, 2008
More support for integrated planning in the city
There was an interesting story by Leonard Stern in Saturday’s Citizen (Aug 2, 2008). The article shows support for my concern about the City’s inability to consider the many road developments it is considering in concert with new community development, intensification and smart growth initiatives before final decisions are made. The writer observes that even councilors who sit on the same side of the table politically seem to disagree on transit and community development issues.
The article notes that “The sprawl to which cities like Ottawa succumbed.....was made possible only by lavish and exorbitant supplies of cheap fossil fuel....Light rail, and the related conversation about intensification – a conversation based on the idea that ‘home’ doesn’t necessarily have to be a single family detached house – is taking us father away from the era …..of the ‘megaburbs,’ places that ‘have all the congestion of a city but none of the human contact.’ Prohibitive gas prices (might) have many bad consequences, but more human contact could be one of the good ones.”
The article notes that “The sprawl to which cities like Ottawa succumbed.....was made possible only by lavish and exorbitant supplies of cheap fossil fuel....Light rail, and the related conversation about intensification – a conversation based on the idea that ‘home’ doesn’t necessarily have to be a single family detached house – is taking us father away from the era …..of the ‘megaburbs,’ places that ‘have all the congestion of a city but none of the human contact.’ Prohibitive gas prices (might) have many bad consequences, but more human contact could be one of the good ones.”
Friday, August 1, 2008
Questionable justification for AVTC - hospital link development
Earlier posts on this blog address concerns regarding planned development of the hospital link stage of the Alta vista Transportation Corridor. Here is another observation.
Councillor Peter Hume argues that planned development of the hospital lands, including the National Defence Medical Centre (NDMC) will have a significant impact on the community fabric in Alta vista. Approximately 750 new development units are planned and approximately half of the DND lands will be used for hospital related development.
With respect to the hospital lands development, there are currently some 1,100 persons working in the NDMC building and this number will likely remain stable until the building is taken down (5 or 6 years hence, based on current projections). A similar number of persons will likely be employed at this site following development of the hospital lands section of the DND-NDMC lands. In other words, a zero net increase from existing employment levels at this location.
The cost, technical and environmental challenges associated with developing the “hospital link” to address the transit needs of an estimated 750 additional residences at this location are hard to justify on this basis, particularly as community services and retail opportunities (i.e. smart growth) are also planned. The transit needs of new residents, as well as the needs of people employed at the hospitals, can be addressed effectively by improving bus services using existing road infrastructure, into the foreseeable future.
Councillor Peter Hume argues that planned development of the hospital lands, including the National Defence Medical Centre (NDMC) will have a significant impact on the community fabric in Alta vista. Approximately 750 new development units are planned and approximately half of the DND lands will be used for hospital related development.
With respect to the hospital lands development, there are currently some 1,100 persons working in the NDMC building and this number will likely remain stable until the building is taken down (5 or 6 years hence, based on current projections). A similar number of persons will likely be employed at this site following development of the hospital lands section of the DND-NDMC lands. In other words, a zero net increase from existing employment levels at this location.
The cost, technical and environmental challenges associated with developing the “hospital link” to address the transit needs of an estimated 750 additional residences at this location are hard to justify on this basis, particularly as community services and retail opportunities (i.e. smart growth) are also planned. The transit needs of new residents, as well as the needs of people employed at the hospitals, can be addressed effectively by improving bus services using existing road infrastructure, into the foreseeable future.
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