OFFICIAL PLAN DECISIONS GOOD FOR TAXPAYERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Council’s vote to reduce the size of the urban boundary expansion and put a moratorium on country lot subdivision development are steps towards reducing the cost of growth and the impact of new development on the environment.

When we increase the physical size of the city it increases the cost of delivering services. To use a small example, each new kilometre of water main adds $7,100 a year to the operating budget. As the Fernbank development alone will require 71 kilometres of water main, this type of cost can add up quickly.

Country lot subdivisions cost taxpayers even more than expanding the urban boundary. The moratorium on new country lot subdivisions is intended to provide time to study the costs and impact on existing rural residents.

The challenge now is to get the type of development that uses land efficiently and meets the needs of residents. Too often, we are told the only options are low-density housing or high rises. There are plenty of examples of developments that manage to use land efficiently and fit into the community. Design guidelines in the Official Plan are intended to encourage developers to look at them.

OMB DECISION ON LANDS BETWEEN GLEN CAIRN AND STITTSVILLE MADE SOME EXPANSION OF THE URBAN BOUNDARY NECESSARY

In 2005, the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) decided to designate agricultural land between Glen Cairn and Stittsville as urban – changes to the provincial planning legislation means this is not longer possible. The OMB decision left council in the position where not designating those lands as urban would make it more difficult to plan for development in the area in a way that uses land efficiently.

COFFEE WITH PEGGY IN THE EVENING OF JUNE 25

The next "coffee with Peggy" will be held on Thursday, June 25th - 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hazeldean Mall Food Court.

HELP NEEDED FOR CANADA DAY IN KANATA

Canada Day in Kanata needs volunteers to help with events. Volunteers are needed to help with set up on June 30, all day on July 1 and for take down on July 2. More details on what type of help is needed can be found at http://www.canadadayinkanata.com/2009/volunteers.htm or by e-mailing volunteers@canadadayinkanata.com.

CLARENCE MAHERAL’S WORK RECOGNIZED

People going down Castlefrank will notice that Pumphouse Park has a new name. The park has been renamed to honour Clarence Maheral. Clarence’s volunteer work played a key role in the establishment of many institutions and organizations that are an important part of life in our community. It was great to be able to join Clarence, his family and people who have worked with him for the renaming ceremony last week. Naming a park after Clarence Maheral continues the Kanata tradition of recognizing people who have contributed to our community.

FEEDBACK NEEDED ON PROPOSALS FOR RICHMOND ROAD

City road planning staff are looking for your feedback on proposals for reducing traffic problems at the intersection of Richmond Road. They will have the proposals at the Bridlewood Community Association picnic tomorrow (Saturday, June 20). The proposals are also on my website at www.feltmateforkanata.com.

It is short notice, but the need to get moving on work to reduce traffic problems in Bridlewood means that staff want to complete the consultations before the summer.

KANATA HAS A PRESENCE ON THE FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES BOARD

I would like to congratulate my Kanata colleague on City Council, Marianne Wilkinson, on her election to the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Marianne will be one of Ontario’s representatives on the board.

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.