Public Comment Period Now Open for Rental Housing Policy Options Study
One of my top priorities as City Councillor for College Ward is to continue my work to stop illegal rooming houses. That’s why earlier this year, I was able to work with staff and the Chair of Community and Protective Services to secure $300,000 to develop proposals and regulations to enable us to preserve the character of neighbourhoods surrounding Algonquin College. We do not want City View, Ryan Farm, Bel Air, Centrepointe or Crestview to become another Sandy Hill (in terms of improper conversions, noise and property standards violations, etc).
That being said, I’m happy to let you know that the next step in proper legislation to stop illegal rooming houses and to protect the character of our neighbourhoods has arrived.
As part of the ongoing process, the City has retained MacLaren Municipal Consulting to complete an in-depth analysis of Ottawa’s rental accommodation regulations which has just been finished.
The report can be found online here: https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/HousingOptions_EN.pdf
I urge residents to send their comments and concerns by email to rentalhousingreview@gmail.com. Comments are being accepted until August 30th, 2019. Once comments are received, a final report will be prepared with recommendations to committee and council members. That report is expected sometime this fall.
As well, please send me your comments and concerns to Rick.Chiarelli@ottawa.ca. I look forward to hearing from you and continuing to work with you on this important issue.
That being said, I’m happy to let you know that the next step in proper legislation to stop illegal rooming houses and to protect the character of our neighbourhoods has arrived.
As part of the ongoing process, the City has retained MacLaren Municipal Consulting to complete an in-depth analysis of Ottawa’s rental accommodation regulations which has just been finished.
The report can be found online here: https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/HousingOptions_EN.pdf
I urge residents to send their comments and concerns by email to rentalhousingreview@gmail.com. Comments are being accepted until August 30th, 2019. Once comments are received, a final report will be prepared with recommendations to committee and council members. That report is expected sometime this fall.
As well, please send me your comments and concerns to Rick.Chiarelli@ottawa.ca. I look forward to hearing from you and continuing to work with you on this important issue.
Public Consultation/BBQ with Face Painting: Qualicum Community Building - Saturday, August 10, 2019
48 Nanaimo Drive from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm - Residents are invited to look at the proposal by the Community Association Traffic Committee to reroute traffic and install a number of restrictions including road closings, one way streets, turn prohibitions, etc. Please come see the plan, ask questions and give your opinion as we will decide whether this plan moves forward. (For more information, see the newsletter delivered to your door recently.) If you cannot make it to the consultation, please feel free to let your opinion be heard by calling 613-580-2478 or emailing rick.chiarelli@ottawa.ca.
Public Consultation/BBQ: Christ Church Anglican - Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Thank you to the many people who attended this consultation, viewed the design plans, made suggestions for improvement and/or voiced their concerns. if you were unable to make the meeting, please feel free to let your opinion be heard by calling 613-580-2478 or emailing rick.chiarelli@ottawa.ca.
Help Choose Bus Stops for Ring-and-Post Bike Racks in Bells Corners - Vote by Aug. 13, 2019
The City will be adding ring-and-post bike racks to 2 bus stops in the Westcliffe part of Bells Corners. Click here to see a map of the possible locations. Click here to vote on your choice.
Why My Motion to Reconsider the Chateau Laurier Design Was the Best Option
At the specially-held council meeting on the Chateau Laurier re-design of Thursday, July 12th, I put forward a motion for the purpose of reconsideration and to offer other City Councillors a 7 week period of sober second thought. I’ve heard loud and clear from my residents that giving time for Council to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan is the best course of action. My intention was to buy at least seven more weeks for your voices to be heard and for the proponent and representatives to dialogue to see if a better design could have been brought forth. But unfortunately that’s not happening. This has been one of the most disappointing times for me in my years as a City Councillor because the public has an expectation of what they want in their city and clearly that wasn’t met. Also because we laid out a clear case against the proposed Chateau design to the point that despite the fact that the majority agreed with us, they still voted for the design.
While the focus now turns from City Hall regarding what’s next, it’s time to show the owners of the historic hotel how you feel. There’s power in numbers and instead of lobbying council, we need to turn our attention to the business owners. The owners could make a decision based on backlash from the public. The federal government could also intervene at any time and in the worst case scenario, expropriate the property and sell it back.
I look forward to continued dialogue with my constituents on this issue, and hope that moving forward, you continue to show how you feel about the design because once it’s built, you’ll be able to see it right in front of you, and the very thing you might have been opposed to.
While the focus now turns from City Hall regarding what’s next, it’s time to show the owners of the historic hotel how you feel. There’s power in numbers and instead of lobbying council, we need to turn our attention to the business owners. The owners could make a decision based on backlash from the public. The federal government could also intervene at any time and in the worst case scenario, expropriate the property and sell it back.
I look forward to continued dialogue with my constituents on this issue, and hope that moving forward, you continue to show how you feel about the design because once it’s built, you’ll be able to see it right in front of you, and the very thing you might have been opposed to.
