Debunking myths on Terry Fox Drive expansion
Posted Mar 12, 2010 By Marianne Wilkinson
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Tweet ThisEMC News - There has been a lot of media attention and comments from the Sierra Club about the completion of the Terry Fox Drive extension.
To debunk some myths, it is not a project that is being fast tracked. It's been on the city's list for development for years waiting funding - which became available with the stimulus funding. There have been three environmental impact studies and means of protecting species (including the turtles) and have been developed for approval by provincial and federal agencies.
The road has been in the Official Plan of Kanata, the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, and now the City of Ottawa for more than 30 years.
The final specific location was determined through a number of Environmental Assessments, all of which were approved by the City of Ottawa and the province prior to this term of council.
Residents and community associations supported its construction during the 2006 municipal election. Much of the road is already constructed with the remaining portion now being built.
The road will provide a second access to the Queensway from Kanata North and West Carleton, and will serve as access to future development areas. All of the land south of the Terry Fox location was approved by the Ontario Municipal Board about five years ago (I was one of the people objecting to it at the hearings) except for those portions saved by an agreement, I was able to negotiate in 1980 when I was Mayor of Kanata. So this road will not be going through an environmental area but will be the barrier to protect lands to the north (now owned by the city) from any further development.
The road design has been done to protect the Blanding turtles by barriers to keep them off the road and culverts (wet and dry) to provide access under the road. No trees will be cut during the bird-nesting season and all required rules to deal with endangered plants are being followed.
KLONDIKE INN
Kelly Egan's column in the Citizen about the Klondike Inn suggests that the reason it was demolished was due to the imminent expansion of March Road. That is not the case.
March Road was deliberately designed to save all of the buildings on the west side of the road, including the Klondike Inn and the Old Town Hall. All of the expansion was done on the east side of the road, requiring moving one heritage building - the March House. None of the property on which the Klondike Inn is situated was required for the road widening.
What actually happened was that there were a number of concerns expressed by residents about the condition of the building, including fears of collapse. City inspectors checked the building for safety and informed the owner that work had to be done to stabilize the structure.
When the owner realized his liability if that work was not done and something causing a danger happened, he immediately obtained a demolish permit and removed the structure.
At this time, no plans for commercial development have been submitted or discussed for that site and none of the land is needed or will be used for the road.
GRANTS FOR IMPROVING YOUR COMMUNITY
The city has a number of grants available for local not-for-profit organizations for community activities and for environmental projects. The deadline for civic events with free admission that fosters civic pride and brings a community together is March 24. The maximum grant under that program is $2,000.
Environmental projects, such as cleaning river banks, planting trees, recycling projects, naturalizing green spaces and more, have a deadline of March 31.
Residents can also apply for a potted tree for their property for fall delivery or apply for a Community TREE Planting Grant that supports community groups in tree planting activities in schoolyards, parks and greenspaces. The deadline for fall projects is June 1.
COMING EVENTS
March 22. Ward council, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Program Room, Kanata Senior's Centre.
March 26. Deadline for nominations for Civic Appreciation Awards
March 31. Deadline for applying for Community Environmental Initiatives Grant
SERVING THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN KANATA NORTH
To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion, contact me at 613-580-2474, email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com.
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