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2009
Jul 31, 2009
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Jul 10, 2009
Jul 3, 2009
Jun 26, 2009
Jun 19, 2009
Jun 12, 2009
Jun 5, 2009
May 29, 2009
May 22, 2009
May 15, 2009
May 8, 2009
May 1, 2009
Apr 24, 2009
Apr 17, 2009
Apr 10, 2009
Apr 3, 2009
Mar 27, 2009
Mar 20, 2009
Mar 13, 2009
Mar 6, 2009
Feb 27, 2009
Feb 20, 2009
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Jan 30, 2009
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Jan 2, 2009
2008
Dec 19, 2008
Dec 12, 2008
Dec 5, 2008
Nov 28, 2008
Nov 21, 2008
Nov 14, 2008
Nov 7, 2008
Oct 31, 2008
Oct 24, 2008
Oct 17, 2008
Oct 10, 2008
Oct 3, 2008
Sep 26, 2008
Sep 19, 2008
Sep 12, 2008
Sep 5, 2008
Aug 29, 2008b
Aug 29, 2008
Aug 22, 2008
Aug 15, 2008
Aug 8, 2008
Aug 1, 2008
Jul 25, 2008
Jul 18, 2008
Jul 11, 2008
Jul 4, 2008
Jun 27, 2008
Jun 20, 2008
Jun 13, 2008
Jun 6, 2008
May 30, 2008
May 23b, 2008
May 23, 2008
May 16, 2008
May 9, 2008
May 2, 2008
Apr 25, 2008
Apr 18, 2008
Apr 11, 2008
Apr 4, 2008
Mar 28, 2008
Mar 21, 2008
Mar 14, 2008
Mar 7, 2008
Feb 29, 2008
Feb 22, 2008
Feb 15, 2008
Feb 8, 2008
Feb 1, 2008
Jan 25, 2008
Jan 18, 2008
Jan 11, 2008
Peggy's Newsletters
(also appearing in the Kanata Kourier-Standard and EMC Kanata)
 

REPORTING FLOODING IN YOUR HOME FIRST STEP TO GETTING ACTION

People whose homes have been flooded several times in the last few years are understandably upset and angry after last Friday's flood. For people whose homes have been flooded cleaning up the damage and losing personal possessions, some of which are irreplaceable, is extremely difficult.

There will be an investigation into why the flood occurred. I will be making sure it addresses every aspect of the storm water system.

If your home has been flooded it is very important to report it. That will ensure those conducting the investigation have complete information on the extent of the problem. The number you get when you report flooding in your home is also needed if you or your insurance company file a claim against the City.

NEW HOME BUYERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF SITE PLANS AND ZONING

Most people looking for a home have a checklist. Even if a home meets their needs, there are questions they want answered. This list should include how is land near the home zoned and what is in the site plan.

What the zoning will tell you is what can be built nearby. There may be a nice forest behind the home you just looked at, but unless the land is zoned open space, the forest will be cut down and land will be developed.

The zoning will also tell you if there are uses nearby that you don’t want to have near your home. For example, some residential developments are next to land zoned for business park or retail developments. Getting that information before you buy means you can decide whether the development that is allowed nearby will be a problem.

Site plans will tell you where things like sidewalks will be located and plans for landscaping. Again, seeing this before you buy will help you see whether there is something that will cause you problems.

Getting this information is not always easy. Over the last six years I have heard of people being given misleading information about zoning (the map on the City of Ottawa website at www.ottawa.ca/residents/emaps will allow you to double check zoning and if you need help please don’t hesitate to contact my office) or not being given site plans they were entitled to receive.

Even with this information, unfortunately, there is a need for vigilance. If you see a sign near your home announcing a planning application check that it won’t be a problem. If there are problems with the developer not completing work in your neighbourhood or doing it in a way that causes problems, speak out.

And again, please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions. There are limits on the City’s power to take action, but it is at least possible to make sure you have the information you need.

CYCLING SAFETY PRIORITY FOR POLICE IN AUGUST

Every month the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) targets a particular safety problem. In August, it will be violation of traffic safety rules by both drivers and cyclists that place cyclists at risk.

Traffic legislation treats bicycles the same as other vehicles. That imposes obligations on both drivers and cyclists. Information for drivers and cyclists can be found on the City of Ottawa website at http://ottawa.ca/residents/onthemove.

CITY PRODUCES HOME-BASED BUSINESS GUIDE

About 2/3 of new businesses operate from the business owner’s home. The term home-based business can cover all businesses where the main office is located in the owner’s home regardless of whether the owners are working at home for most of the time or working in a wide variety of locations.

To assist people in meeting the challenges unique to home-based businesses, the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) have produced a guide for home-based business operators. It includes issues all businesses face as well as challenges unique to home-based businesses. How to check that the requirements of the business and the zoning requirements for the home are compatible is addressed.

Copies of the guide are available at library branches and City of Ottawa Client Service Centres, including 580 Terry Fox Drive. It can also be found on the City of Ottawa website at www.ottawa.ca/business/starting/home.

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