It is a jam-packed week of information from Councillor Gower. He ensures that Stittsville residents are kept up-to-date on the important issues that effect our daily lives. Register for the upcoming Information Session taking place on April 15 to learn more about the new development proposed for 6111 Hazeldean Road; read the updates on COVID-19; nominate a person, business or service organization by April 30 who you feel has surpassed volunteerism in the community. There is much more to learn in the Counillor’s message below.
COVID-19: Enforcement, New Testing Centre, Vaccine Update
Enforcement of Provincial restrictions
Over the weekend I received several messages from residents about a house party at a home in Stittsville. These gatherings are completely unacceptable. We are in a pandemic and it’s unbelievable that some people continue to ignore the rules and put our community at risk.
Across the City on Saturday, Ottawa By-law had nearly 400 calls — compared to 160 calls on a typical Saturday night. There were dozens of cases being investigated and charges laid.
By-law has brought in extra staff on overtime to manage the surge in calls, including additional staff primarily monitoring activity in parks. The Ottawa Police Service is also responding to calls where needed.
It’s all hands on deck for Ottawa’s by-law officers as they respond to 3-1-1 calls on COVID-19 and other issues. I’ve been in touch with the Mayor about this and we continue to work with Emergency Services teams to add resources to respond.
An additional testing centre in Richmond
With the demand for COVID-19 testing increasing in our city, Ottawa’s COVID-19 testing task force has opened a new testing centre at the Richmond Memorial Community Centre (the Richmond Arena) at 6095 Perth Street in Richmond. This is an alternative option to the existing Moodie COVID-19 Care and Testing Centre in Bells Corners. You can book an appointment here for any testing location: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/shared-content/assessment-centres.aspx
I am also working with officials to bring additional testing capacity to Stittsville as well. I’ll continue to provide updates via my web site, email newsletter, and social media.
Vaccine update
To date, more than 186,000 doses of vaccines have been administered in Ottawa.
Ontario is in Phase 2 of its vaccine distribution plan . All Ottawa residents age 60 and over can book appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at community clinics. The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines will be available in select Ottawa pharmacies for eligible people ages 55 or older in 2021. Find your closest pharmacy.
Visit the OPH Covid-19 Vaccination page for more information about who can currently get the vaccine and check out COVID-19 in Ottawa for the latest updates.
Support local
Support our local restaurants
StittsvilleCentral.ca has updated their list of Stittsville restaurants that remain open for take-out during the provincial shut-down. If you can, please support our local businesses with a take-out or curbside order.
Development and Construction News
Hazeldean Road bridge rehabilitation
Hazeldean Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction at the bridge over the Carp River until mid-July 2021 for bridge renewal work. Access will be maintained for pedestrians and cyclists, with a signed detour around the construction.
Stittsville Main Street – Noise exemption – overnight April 22-24
The City has approved an overnight noise exemption for Enbridge Gas for installation of a natural gas main at 1531 Stittsville Main Street. The work will take place from April 22 at 10:00pm to April 24 at 6:00am. Residents and businesses in the area will receive a notification in their mailbox. They’re hoping to complete the work in one night, with the second night being added for contingency.
Blasting for Shea Village
Blasting for the future Shea Village at Fernbank & Shea will be continuing for a while longer. Cavanagh says they completed more test pits on site and have found more rock than originally anticipated. With the amount of rock discovered they are anticipating approximately two more months of blasting work. More about blasting here…
145 Carp Road – tree removal
The City has issued a tree removal permit for 1145 Carp (corner of Hazeldean), with work starting this week.
6111 Hazeldean Road
We’re hosting an information session about this application this Thursday, April 15 at 7:00pm via Zoom for this Site Plan Control application. The City has received an application to construct four commercial buildings (a Halo car wash, a Mr. Lube, a drive-through Starbucks and a commercial/retail building).
Bradley-Craig barn restoration
It looks rough right now on the outside but up close there is a lot happening at the Bradley-Craig barn on Hazeldean Road. I visited the site last week with a City heritage expert and a by-law inspector. Richcraft is undertaking a significant rehabilitation of the foundation and work is progressing well. I’ll share more updates in the coming weeks about the renovations.
Cleaning the Capital on “pause” for now
In keeping with the Ontario-wide shutdown and in line with recommended public health measures and safety guidance, the City is pressing “pause” on the spring Cleaning the Capital campaign until further notice.
Registration remains open until May 15; however, registrants who have already received clean-up kits are asked to hold off on scheduling clean-ups until public health guidance indicates it’s safe to do so. Further, clean-up kits will not be made available for pick-up until City facilities are able to safely accommodate their distribution.
Our sincere thanks go out to the thousands of incredible volunteer participants who, like every year, take the initiative to help keep our city clean and green with the support of our staff and valued sponsors.
The death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip
Flags lowered to honour Prince Phillip
The flags at all City of Ottawa sites have been lowered to half-mast until sunset on the day of the funeral on April 17, in honour of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away on April 9, 2021. An online Book of Condolences will be available at ottawa.ca during the period of mourning until sunset on the day of the funeral.
Stittsville Volunteer Awards
Call for nominations
Do you know a person, business or community group going above and beyond to make a difference in Stittsville? We want to hear about them! The Stittsville Volunteer Awards are an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the dedication of volunteers in our community. Nominations are now open in six different categories. Nominations must be received by email at the end of day on April 30, 2021, and the awards celebration will take place online on June 3, 2021. More info…
Keep in touch with Councillor Gower by following him on Twitter, Facebook or visit his website. You can also send comments, questions or concerns in an email to glen.gower@ottawa.ca or give his office a call at 613-580-2476.