HEARST WAY HOTEL PROPOSAL UNDERMINES VISION FOR KANATA’S TOWN CENTRE

When Kanata was first planned, the goal was to create a community where people would be able to live, work, shop and access the services they needed. Four decades later, with gas prices rising and increasing concern about greenhouse gas emission, that goal makes more sense than ever.

Part of the vision for Kanata as a community where residents could live, work, shop and play was a town centre. The plan for the Kanata’s Town Centre is part of the City of Ottawa Official Plan. It was prepared prior to amalgamation and after considerable input from Kanata residents.

For the vision that Kanata residents approved to become reality, the City needs to be willing to make it clear that the plan for the Town Centre will be respected and implemented. As the difficulties with traffic at the Centrum show, changing plans to meet the short-term needs of the development industry is a recipe for problems.

Unfortunately, another change to the plans for Kanata’s Town Centre is being proposed. A developer is proposing that the Official Plan and the zoning be changed to permit a hotel on employment lands on Hearst Way.

After the loss of 35% of the City’s employment lands since amalgamation, permitting employment lands to be rezoned raises concerns. There is also the impact on the plans for Kanata’s Town Centre.

In the plan for the Town Centre hotels are permitted near high-density employment uses and in the retail area. This provision means hotels will be near where the people staying in them are most likely to want to go. It is convenient for visitors to our community and helps reduce additional traffic from new development.

Allowing a hotel to be built on Hearst Way makes it less likely hotels will be built where the plan for the Town Centre stated they were needed. It also encourages other developers to push for the plan for Kanata’s Town Centre to be watered down. Neither is good for our community.

AUGUST 20th DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR CANADA’S OFFICIAL STREET HOCKEY TOURNAMENT IN KANATA

The deadline for registering for the Canada’s Official Street Hockey Tournament in Kanata is August 20th. The tournament will take place on the weekend of August 23rd and 24th on Michael Cowpland Drive and is presented by Hockey Night in Canada.

People must register as a team. Details on team requirements and the different divisions as well as how to register can be found at www.playon.ca. Information can also be obtained by calling 1-877-243-5264. You can register online at any point up until August 20. On August 20, it is also possible to register in person between 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Pro Hockey Life store at 140 Roland Michener Drive in the Centrum.

The Kanata tournament is one of eight in Canada. It will include a celebrity game on Saturday. Successful teams will qualify for the national championships.

REPAIRS TO PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS NEEDED QUICKLY

Hopefully by the time you read this the pedestrian overpass in Kanata over Highway 417 will have been repaired. After a truck hit the overpass, I made it clear to city staff that the overpass is an important link for Kanata residents and needs to be repaired as quickly as possible.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SMART TECHNOLOGIES ON ONE-MILLIONTH SMART BOARD

This week the one millionth SMART Board was produced at the SMART Technologies facility in Kanata. Congratulations to SMART Technologies on this achievement. It is a reminder of the role high tech plays in our community.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2752 (office), 580-2762 (fax), www.feltmateforkanata.com or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca