by Anne Bell
In recent years, Ottawa has experienced extensive flooding and destructive tornadoes. At the April DCA meeting, it was agreed that the Dalhousie Community Association will support a motion for Ottawa City Council to declare a climate emergency.
The motion will be presented at the mid-April meeting of the Environment Committee and calls on the City of Ottawa to make climate action an official term-of-council priority.
Members of CAFES (Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability) have led an initiative to support this motion. If the motion is supported, Ottawa would be joining over 400 cities and local governments worldwide, including Kingston, Vancouver, Halifax, Montreal, and over 300 municipalities in Quebec.
Balsam and Rochester
Also at the April meeting were the current owners of the decrepit lot at Balsam and Rochester Streets. Along with representatives of a local architecture firm, they presented their vision for a low-rise building for the site.
While still at a preliminary design phase, the concept is for residential rentals aimed at senior citizens. When a development application has been submitted, the DCA will evaluate the proposal for its fit with the neighbourhood.
Gardening season returns
Spring is finally almost here, and the Dalhousie Community Association Community Garden (at the corner of Somerset and Preston) is back for another season.
The DCA Community Garden is a volunteer organization offering the opportunity for members of the ward to try their hand at gardening. If you are interested in learning more, or would like to be on the waiting list for a plot, please sign up for the garden newsletter by writing to dcacommunitygarden@gmail.com, or calling 613-791-8753.
All are welcome at the garden’s AGM at Plant Bath Recreation Centre on Sunday, April 28 at 3:00 p.m. This season the garden will also be a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) pickup point for Ferme Agricola, a new organic vegetable and flower farm.
The DCA is gearing up for gardening as well. Visit 236 Booth Street for a sale of perennial plants between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 25. Proceeds will support community gardens and planters along Booth Street and Somerset.
Sewer replacement on Cambridge
A public information session to discuss a combined sewer replacement project planned for Cambridge Street North will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2019, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cambridge Street Community Public School (250 Cambridge Street N.), in the library.
The project involves the upsizing of the combined sewers and installing inlet control devices in catch basins to reduce the risk of basement flooding during large storm events.
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you! Visit us at www.ottawadalhousie.ca where you can sign up for email updates, and more. We’re also on Twitter and Facebook.