6279 FERNBANK OMB DECISION
The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has given the green light for development to proceed at 6279 Fernbank, west of Stittsville Main. That’s not exactly a surprise.
In late October, Planning Committee and City Council gave their blessing to a Plan of Subdivision and Zoning amendment, after a number of issues were ironed out between the developer and city staff, including stormwater management. The only councillor to vote against the development was Shad Qadri.
Back in October, Qadri told the Planning Committee that he was opposed to the development largely because the land was formerly designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland.
“I think the proponent still has to listen to the community – maybe reducing the number of homes – also looking at what goes in behind existing homes currently, whether it’s single family bungalows or whether it’s two-storey,” he said.
Residents living near the property were hoping the OMB would consider their continuing concerns about the density of the development, traffic safety and the environment. The OMB ruled that the development does represent good land use planning and design.
Qadri did provide the following statement to StittsvilleCentral.ca about the most recent ruling:
“This has been an extensive and at time arduous process for all of those involved. At this time I would like to thank the community members who took on an active role through their support, time and dedicated engagement over the past year. The main concern brought to the forefront, by myself and residents, is the risks and impacts that are associated with water flow on the land. Going forward, I will continue to work with the community, staff and the proponent to monitor the development of this property, with the mitigation of water flow a priority, as building progresses to ensure that the appropriate measures agreed upon are implemented.”
You can read the full decision here…
TOW TRUCKS
A few weeks ago we wrote about how Ottawa Police are resetting the password that allows access to traffic report listing on their web site. The listing is intended to give radio stations and media outlets access to information about collisions, but a number of tow truck operators got access, and were using it as a sort of dispatch system to find out where there might be car wrecks.
About a week and a half ago, a driver reached out 1310 News producer Matt Harris, and offered to buy his password. Harris refused.
The next day, Sgt. John Kiss from the Ottawa Police was interviewed on the station’s The Ed Hand Show. Kiss told listeners that two truck drivers chasing collisions is still a big issue that they’re trying to deal with. He also said they’d be implementing a unique password for each user, rather than one common username and password. You can listen to the interview here…
ROBERT GRANT AVENUE IS OPEN
From Councillor Qadri: “Street lights and traffic signals on Robert Grant Avenue are now in operation and the signage and line painting are completed. Bike signals will remain covered until such time that the Multi Use Pathway is paved and opened (expected spring 2016). The contractor has been preparing for the opening over the last few days placing temporary barriers at the Abbott Roundabout, touching up pavement markings, temporary asphalt ramping for winter maintenance and removing the barriers that prevented traffic from using the road.”