Whither Plouffe Park?
The Dalhousie Community Association got back to business after the holidays with a well-attended regular meeting of the board and interested community members on January 20.
Top of the agenda was a report from the Plant Pool Recreation Association and the Plouffe Park, Plant Pool Expansion Coalition (P4X) on the revised concept plan for Plouffe Park and the adjacent property at 1010 Somerset West.
When will the public see the next version of the plan? The city says, “this spring.” However, in January, P4X and the parents’ council at École Louise-Arbour were provided an advance opportunity to review the revised plan.
Advocates for Plouffe Park and for the new École élémentaire publique Louise-Arbour are working together to agree on development principles for the site. Suggestions for improvements to the latest plan have been provided the city in a jointly signed letter. P4X plans to send a separate letter with more specific site suggestions about broader community issues.
The struggle to save Plouffe Park has led some DCA members to question the city’s consultation process. Is an online survey meaningful public engagement? Are virtual meetings as effective as in-person roundtable conversations?
McCann Park and Front-Yard Parking
The Public Realm committee reported that their January meeting discussed the future of Plouffe Park, and their continuing support for P4X. But other items were on the agenda.
McCann Park, a pocket park on Norman just east of Preston is a tiny bit of green with big potential. But it’s in “dire need.” The committee will press the city for improvements and safety-related repairs.
The high cost of parking was discussed and, in particular, the loss of greenspace to pavement where front-yard parking is “allowed” in contravention of the city’s bylaw.
The committee, on behalf of the DCA, has written to the city to oppose front-yard parking proposed for three historic residences at 207, 209, and 211 Queen Street, within the Cathedral Hill Heritage Conservation District.
The owners of these Queen Street properties, Fleming Property Management, provide five front-yard parking spaces for their tenants. Only one is permitted by the city.
OC Transpo Bus Route Review
OC Transpo’s proposed changes to bus routes in Dalhousie were discussed at the January meeting of the Mobility committee. The committee will report to the DCA later this month on the new routes and the impact on Dalhousie residents.
“Building LeBreton”
The National Capital Commission has announced the next phases for implementation of its master concept plan for LeBreton Flats, which will include residential development on Wellington and a major event centre on Albert. But first, the city must approve the plan of subdivision, and assess the anticipated traffic impacts on the adjacent neighbourhoods in Dalhousie.
The Mobility committee has submitted recommendations to the city on what should be included in a Transportation Impact Assessment for “Building LeBreton.” It’s the committee’s expectation that the TIA will finally measure the effect of development on LeBreton Flats on traffic in the Booth Street Corridor, with its problematic intersections at Wellington and at Albert.
A “New” Tower on Somerset
In the midst of the uncertainty about the fate of the historic building at 290 City Centre Avenue (until recently the home of the Orange Art Gallery), comes the news of the revival of the plan to build a residential tower across the street at 989 Somerset Street West at the site of A Fine Thing antiques shop.
Taggart Realty Management has taken on the project, first proposed in 2014. But now it’s bigger: a 15-storey building with 248 residential units. The original plan had 126 parking spaces and seven retail units as well. Taggart will meet with the DCA to discuss the proposal, but a date has yet to be fixed. The development is scheduled to be underway this year.
Peaceable (And Safe!) Neighbourhoods
The Peaceable Neighbourhood committee reported that a “Good Neighbour Agreement” is in preparation, coordinated by the Somerset West Community Health Centre in response to the ongoing concerns raised by members of the Ottawa Chinatown Business Improvement Area and local residents. These include street activity related to drug use and vandalism.
The SWCHC has hired Catherine McKenney of CitySHAPES to prepare the agreement. It is expected to be signed by the BIA, the SWCHC, and the DCA. The three organizations met in January to review a draft and provide comments.
Safety Issues on Breezehill
The committee also reported that new construction at the corner of Somerset West and Breezehill has raised safety concerns among parents whose children attend Devonshire Community Public School, just up the street at 100 Breezehill Avenue North.
Many of those children live in Somerset Ward and cannot avoid passing by the heavy trucks offloading materials at this busy intersection. The committee has written to Claridge Homes to request a meeting to address the safety issues.
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Join us at our next regular meeting, on Thursday, February 25, at 7:30 p.m.
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