THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE A SUCCESS

Kanata’s 2007 Santa Claus parade raised almost $5,000 for the Kanata Food Cupboard. This is in addition to the large amount of food collected along the route.

I would like to thank the Kanata Hazeldean Lions Club, Kanata’s volunteer firefighters, the Kanata Stallions, the Kanata Sports Club and the Hazeldean Mall for their work on the parade as well as all the organizations and individuals that took part.

It was a great turnout and a chance to help people who are struggling to make ends meet in our community.

CAMPEAU DRIVE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

60% of the cost of growth is paid by property tax dollars. Between 2004 and 2009 the cost to taxpayers is estimated at $976 million. The remaining 40% is funded from development charges – and this is after increases to development charges in 2004.

With growth costing taxpayers hundreds of millions, planning decisions that either increase or reduce the cost of growth will affect the budget pressures the city faces.

Planning decisions also affect how much it costs to deliver services. It is more expensive to provide city services to spread out, low density developments than to compact developments where land is used efficiently.

This is one of the reasons that municipalities have been looking at smart growth. In Kanata, prior to amalgamation, the plans for the area between Campeau and the Queensway to the east of the Centrum were intended to create a high density development that would help control the cost of growth. Under plans adopted by the former City of Kanata, building heights would be up to 10 storeys for residential buildings and up to eight storeys for office buildings.

The advantage of high-density development between Campeau and the Queensway is that it will be close to both the Queensway on ramp at Castlefrank and the Terry Fox transitway station. While new infrastructure will be needed, it will be less costly than what would be needed if the urban boundary was expanded.

However, there are issues that need to be addressed. Based on comments I heard, even though the plans were approved in 1998, many residents had not heard that plans for the area between the Queensway and Campeau included eight to 10 storey buildings.

The plan adopted by the former City of Kanata in 1998 means that the City cannot reject plans for higher density development in the area between the Queensway and Campeau. What can be done is to ensure development takes place in the way that provides a transition between existing neighbourhoods and the higher density development.

This is happening. Even though the maximum permitted height for residential buildings is 10 storeys, the seniors’ housing planned for Campeau will be a maximum of five storeys. The section closest to existing housing will only be four storeys.

There may be other measures that are needed, but what is proposed with the first stage provides an example of what can be done to keep the impact of higher density development on existing neighbourhoods to a minimum. Given the role that development of the type planned for between Campeau and the Queensway can play in reducing the cost of growth for taxpayers, making it work is important.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2474 (office), 580-2514 (fax), or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca