On Tuesday, May 15, more than a 100 Bridlewood residents filled the gymnasium at St. Anne's Catholic School to hear presentations and ask questions about the proposal for development of 74 Stonehaven and 310 Stonehaven. This Public Meeting was part of the formal process that is required by law before a development application is approved by the city. Along with city staff, the developer, Urbandale, attended the meeting.

What was clear from the meeting is that traffic on Stonehaven is already a problem. People are worried that additional development along Stonehaven could push road conditions to the breaking point.

When Urbandale proposed these new developments along Stonehaven, I made it clear that traffic on Stonehaven was a major concern for me. As a result, city planning staff asked Urbandale to have further traffic impact studies done.

City staff took note of the concerns raised at the meeting. They acknowledged the historical deficiencies in planning that contributed to the current traffic problems confronting Bridlewood. They added that the Stonehaven / Richmond Rd. intersection was a temporary fix until Terry Fox came around to connect to Richmond Rd. Unfortunately, the NCC rejected this plan. City staff are currently inititating an Environmental Assessment for Terry Fox / Hope Side Rd. to connect to Hunt Club or the 416.

City staff's insistence that Urbandale conduct a thorough traffic study was based on this reality and resulted in forcing Urbandale to delay the application process. The traffic study was presented at the meeting.

I think all of us were surprised when it was pointed out that one of the dates work was supposed to have taken place for the Traffic Study was Good Friday. I have made it clear that, unless the consultant can prove work was done on another day, the city should insist on a new study.

What is also worth noting is that one of the comments in the study stated that, "segments of Stonehaven Drive are approaching physical capacity" which should raise questions about whether development should be allowed to go ahead at this time. Further, according to the study traffic lights would be required at Stonemeadow and Stonehaven. While it is better than a stop sign, it will still not address congestion on Stonehaven and Richmond.

Given the traffic problems that already exist, I agree with the many of you who were present at this meeting and the many others who filled out the "Bridlewood Traffic Problem" survey on my website that these developments should not go ahead. It's my belief that traffic problems must be resolved first. Meanwhile, these two developments should be put on hold.

One of the questions in the survey asks, "Do you agree with freezing developments near Stonehaven until the road link to Hope Side Road is complete?" This question, which I have discussed with staff in the past, came up at this meeting. Since the meeting, I have instructed staff to look into the options the city has to extend Crownridge Dr. to Hope Side Rd.

Our best chance of preventing the zoning change may be at council. Council can accept or reject the proposed zoning changes, however, there are two other issues that will have an impact. The land is already zoned for development so Urbandale has the option of planning and development with the existing zoning. As well, the decision of council can be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board, and the OMB can overturn it. However, that should not stop the city from doing what is right for residents.

I will be making it clear to my council colleagues that the proposal should not go ahead until traffic issues are addressed. The OMB's history when it comes to this type of issue is not positive. As an example, council opposed the site plan for the Quickie/McDonalds/Gas Bar at Stonehaven and Richmond, and the OMB ruled in favour of the developer.

When the report on the rezoning comes before Planning and Environment Committee, people can make presentations to the committee for up to five minutes. To arrange to make a presentation, please contact the committee co-ordinator, Monique Beauregard, at monique.beauregard@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2424, ext 21622. People can also e-mail comments to the committee co-ordinator and request that they be distributed to councillors.

Meanwhile, if you were not at the meeting and would like to register your opinion on the proposed developments on Stonehaven, please send your comments to Kathy Rygus, the planner working on this file, to ensure she is aware of them. She can be reached at kathy.rygus@ottawa.ca or call 613 -580-2424, ext 28318.

Sincerely,

Peggy

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