(press release via City of Ottawa)
City Council today approved zoning for three development projects and received the annual reports for By-Law and Regulatory Services and Crime Prevention Ottawa.
A grocery store, two retail stores and a restaurant could be built at 5960 Fernbank Road, once water services are extended to the currently vacant site. The zoning approved by Council would also permit other commercial and residential uses.
Council approved a zoning amendment in Kitchissippi Ward to permit two four-unit apartment buildings on Byron Avenue. Each property already houses a three-unit dwelling. The fourth unit will be added to the basement of each building.
Once it is confirmed that the existing infrastructure has the capacity to support new development, the Poole Creek Village subdivision could grow by three residential lots, after Council approved zoning for 5831 Hazeldean Road. The currently vacant land was previously in a floodplain, where development is not permitted. The Poole Creek floodplain was updated in 2016, making the land available for development.
The annual report for By-Law and Regulatory Services received by Council shows the Branch responded to 74,489 requests for service and issued 348,877 parking tickets in 2016. The 158-member By-law staff team saw a slight decrease in certain service call areas, such as noise complaints, animal care and control, and property standards, largely as a result of public education. However, the number of calls for parking enforcement, parks and smoke-free enforcement increased.
Council received the 2016 annual report of Crime Prevention Ottawa, which highlighted several partnerships that were successful in the prevention of violence against women, including Project SoundCheck, ManUp! and MANifest Change, as well as an evaluation of community investments. The report also highlights programming for gang-involved individuals, a post-incident framework to assist neighbourhoods affected by trauma, and support for research and projects such as Paint It Up!
Council received a report on a program whereby residents could receive rebates to install secondary sump pumps in their homes. The two-year pilot program will give up to 100 residents a $400 rebate when installing a secondary sump pump with back-up battery power. Applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
The federal government will provide nearly half of the funding for the pilot, through the National Disaster Mitigation Program, which aims to address the rising risks and costs of flooding. A secondary sump pump with back-up battery power reduces the risk of basement flooding during a power outage.
Council also approved the community partnership capital programs’ annual report, which outlines funding allocations to community organizations. Of the 23 applications submitted for the 2016 minor capital program, 22 met the program criteria and were approved. Sixteen projects have been completed, six are in progress and one was cancelled. Fourteen proposals were submitted for the 2017 major capital program, of which 11 were recommended for approval in principle. Council made one change to the list of projects, removing a proposal for a ball diamond planned for Heritage Park. The total requested City contribution is $1,239,000.