January 20, 2022
Mother Nature has finally slowed down, but we can’t say the same about our Roads and Parking Services Team. There is no stopping them!
The Team’s focus shifted to putting the final touches on any remaining trouble spots and making sure that everything is cleaned up across the City. Last night, and over the coming days will be very cold. The safety of our residents is a priority and we will be treating sidewalks, roads and the cycling network accordingly. Temperature fluctuations and the deep freeze can create black ice and icy conditions.
Residents are reminded to exercise caution while using all of our transportation networks.
The winter storms are in our rear-view mirror, and now we have snow removal on the horizon. Over the coming days, regular winter operations will resume, and we have since begun planning the next stage of our operations. Information about upcoming snow removal operations – efforts where our Teams work towards opening up and widening our streets by removing snowbanks – will be shared with you by the end of the week.
This is a busy time for the Roads and Parking Services Team. We would like to acknowledge their dedication and hard work over course of these two storms that blanketed the Capital.
We also appreciate the continued support of our residents, as they play a critical role in our operations.
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January 19, 2022
Good morning,
Yesterday, Teams worked through shift change and completed residential routes in the late afternoon, and later the focus shifted to problem areas such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bus stops, intersections, islands, and corners.
We’re at it again! This morning, certain areas in the City are waking up to as much as 5 cm of snow, with another possible 2 to 4 cm on the way along with a risk of freezing rain for later this afternoon.
Pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists should exercise caution and adjust to the conditions of the travel network. Conditions may become icy and slippery, and residents should plan accordingly.
Our Response
With cleanup of the aftermath of Monday’s storm still underway, we’ve had to adjust operations to respond to the current accumulation of snow.
Today, our priority will be on continuing to clean up problem areas such as sidewalks, crosswalks, intersections, bus stops, corners and islands. We are expecting to reach residential neighbourhoods later this morning. Blowers are currently pounding through sidewalks, and later we hope to be able to switch back to our bladed equipment.
Our response is ready to change on a dime, and Teams will be addressing areas in need of attention as required.
Significant Weather Event has been Lifted
Though we are still working through cleaning up the wrath of Monday’s event, we are lifting the Significant Weather Event (SWE) and transitioning back to normal operations as the significant hazardous conditions have now passed. A SWE is lifted when the weather eases enough for services to resume regular operations.
Winter Weather Parking Ban
We are not declaring a Winter Weather Parking ban. Please sign up for the Winter Weather Parking Ban e-alerts to stay up to date on upcoming winter parking restrictions.
Residents Support
We would like to take a moment to thank everyone who supported our operations. From placing your bins in your driveway to finding off-street parking and even clearing the hydrant in front of your home – all these moving pieces make a difference and helps us respond to current events.
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Mother Nature has finally slowed down, but we can’t say the same about our Roads and Parking Services Team. There is no stopping them!
The Team’s focus shifted to putting the final touches on any remaining trouble spots and making sure that everything is cleaned up across the City. Last night, and over the coming days will be very cold. The safety of our residents is a priority and we will be treating sidewalks, roads and the cycling network accordingly. Temperature fluctuations and the deep freeze can create black ice and icy conditions.
Residents are reminded to exercise caution while using all of our transportation networks.
The winter storms are in our rear-view mirror, and now we have snow removal on the horizon. Over the coming days, regular winter operations will resume, and we have since begun planning the next stage of our operations. Information about upcoming snow removal operations – efforts where our Teams work towards opening up and widening our streets by removing snowbanks – will be shared with you by the end of the week.
This is a busy time for the Roads and Parking Services Team. We would like to acknowledge their dedication and hard work over course of these two storms that blanketed the Capital.
We also appreciate the continued support of our residents, as they play a critical role in our operations.
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January 19, 2022
Good morning,
Yesterday, Teams worked through shift change and completed residential routes in the late afternoon, and later the focus shifted to problem areas such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bus stops, intersections, islands, and corners.
We’re at it again! This morning, certain areas in the City are waking up to as much as 5 cm of snow, with another possible 2 to 4 cm on the way along with a risk of freezing rain for later this afternoon.
Pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists should exercise caution and adjust to the conditions of the travel network. Conditions may become icy and slippery, and residents should plan accordingly.
Our Response
With cleanup of the aftermath of Monday’s storm still underway, we’ve had to adjust operations to respond to the current accumulation of snow.
Today, our priority will be on continuing to clean up problem areas such as sidewalks, crosswalks, intersections, bus stops, corners and islands. We are expecting to reach residential neighbourhoods later this morning. Blowers are currently pounding through sidewalks, and later we hope to be able to switch back to our bladed equipment.
Our response is ready to change on a dime, and Teams will be addressing areas in need of attention as required.
Significant Weather Event has been Lifted
Though we are still working through cleaning up the wrath of Monday’s event, we are lifting the Significant Weather Event (SWE) and transitioning back to normal operations as the significant hazardous conditions have now passed. A SWE is lifted when the weather eases enough for services to resume regular operations.
Winter Weather Parking Ban
We are not declaring a Winter Weather Parking ban. Please sign up for the Winter Weather Parking Ban e-alerts to stay up to date on upcoming winter parking restrictions.
Residents Support
- Reminder, garbage, recycling, and organic collection is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. Please place bins in your driveway and not in snow banks or on sidewalks.
- You can continue supporting our operations by finding off-street parking options. If you can, please ask a friend or neighbour if you can share their laneway. Remember, streets that remain open helps with clearing – this support makes all the difference in ensuring we can properly open your neighbourhoods.
- While you are out, please consider shoveling around your fire hydrant. Be a hydrant hero! An area of 1.5 metres around the hydrant is needed for our partners at Ottawa Fire Services to gain access during a fire. Their ability to quickly access the hydrant is critical to keeping the community safe. For more information on how to be a hydrant hero, please visit Ottawa.ca.
- Help make sidewalks safe to walk by using one of the City’s “do-it-yourself” boxes. Filled with grit, these are usually near steep hills, ready to be used by residents in areas where there are many pedestrians, seniors and persons using mobility devices. More information, including where you can find these in the City is available on Ottawa.ca.
We would like to take a moment to thank everyone who supported our operations. From placing your bins in your driveway to finding off-street parking and even clearing the hydrant in front of your home – all these moving pieces make a difference and helps us respond to current events.
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January 18, 2022
Hold on to your hats! Just when we thought we made it through a once in a decade winter storm, Mother Nature said, not so fast, there’s more on the way. The Roads and Parking Services Team is currently tracking another storm that is headed our way. Snow is expected to begin overnight tonight into tomorrow morning. Weather forecasts are indicating that we could see anywhere between 5 to 10 cm by Wednesday afternoon with the risk of freezing rain.
We are ready! To prepare, we have equipment and operators who are ready for deployment as required.
Ongoing Operations
Our Roads and Parking Services Team is continuing to work through residential neighbourhoods, and this evening the focus will remain with addressing problem areas such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bus stops, intersections, corners and islands.
Winter Weather Parking Ban
We are lifting the Winter Weather Parking Ban at 7 pm Tuesday, January 18. Residents are reminded to sign up for our e-alerts to receive winter weather parking ban notices directly to their inboxes.
We need your help tomorrow! As conditions are variable, we are not calling a daytime parking ban tomorrow, we are asking everyone who can, to find off-street parking options. With Monday’s accumulation, tomorrow’s precipitations will mean that our Teams will need all the space they can get to help open up those roadways. Planning ahead is key in supporting us with our operations, and we appreciate all your efforts.
What’s Next?
With another possible 5 to 10 cm of snow and possible freezing rain on the way, our Roads and Parking Services Team is closely monitoring the radar, and another Winter Weather Parking Ban may be needed to help support our operations. Supervisors will continue to monitor tomorrow’s forecast, and we will continue responding to the changing weather conditions
Hold on to your hats! Just when we thought we made it through a once in a decade winter storm, Mother Nature said, not so fast, there’s more on the way. The Roads and Parking Services Team is currently tracking another storm that is headed our way. Snow is expected to begin overnight tonight into tomorrow morning. Weather forecasts are indicating that we could see anywhere between 5 to 10 cm by Wednesday afternoon with the risk of freezing rain.
We are ready! To prepare, we have equipment and operators who are ready for deployment as required.
Ongoing Operations
Our Roads and Parking Services Team is continuing to work through residential neighbourhoods, and this evening the focus will remain with addressing problem areas such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bus stops, intersections, corners and islands.
Winter Weather Parking Ban
We are lifting the Winter Weather Parking Ban at 7 pm Tuesday, January 18. Residents are reminded to sign up for our e-alerts to receive winter weather parking ban notices directly to their inboxes.
We need your help tomorrow! As conditions are variable, we are not calling a daytime parking ban tomorrow, we are asking everyone who can, to find off-street parking options. With Monday’s accumulation, tomorrow’s precipitations will mean that our Teams will need all the space they can get to help open up those roadways. Planning ahead is key in supporting us with our operations, and we appreciate all your efforts.
What’s Next?
With another possible 5 to 10 cm of snow and possible freezing rain on the way, our Roads and Parking Services Team is closely monitoring the radar, and another Winter Weather Parking Ban may be needed to help support our operations. Supervisors will continue to monitor tomorrow’s forecast, and we will continue responding to the changing weather conditions
Jan 18, 2022
Yesterday, residents woke up to a thick blanket of snow. Some areas saw as much as 34 cm from overnight snowfall and strong winds (30-40 km/h) made both visibility and our operations challenging. By sunset, approximately 48 cm had fallen.
This was not your typical event and we will be working tirelessly in the coming days.
As we will not be meeting our Maintenance Quality Standards objectives and because of the challenges associated with this event, yesterday we declared a Significant Weather Event that will remain in effect until the safety of our residents is no longer at risk.
We are closely monitoring the events of the storm and its impacts on Ottawa, and updates will be posted to the City of Ottawa's website. With another event in the forecast for Wednesday, there is one thing we know for sure – this is a marathon and not a sprint – current winter operations will take days to complete.
Our Response
Our operators were out shortly after the first snowflake was sighted, and Teams will be tag teaming throughout the next few days to ensure that there is around the clock coverage working towards making our transportation networks safe.
With an immediate focus on priority sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network, our Teams will need to make multiple passes as the rate of accumulation will cover any previously treated/cleared areas within hours. This means that it will take longer for you to see our vehicles appear in residential neighbourhoods, making it challenging for you to get out of your community. We have said this, and we will say it again – please stay home if you can.
In collaboration with our partners in Traffic Services, Roads and Parking Services will work alongside Transit and Ottawa Police Services to ensure the efficient movement of the buses on the road network. The Traffic Incident Management Group (TIMG) has been activated, and Traffic Services staff will be monitoring the transportation network from the City’s Traffic Control Centre.
Service Impacts
For information about service impacts as it relates to today’s weather event, please visit Ottawa.ca/news.
Winter Weather Parking Ban
The Winter Weather Parking Ban is in effect until 7 pm. This ban is necessary to allow us to address the significant snowfall that will have fallen. The timing has been chosen to allow us to tackle the main sidewalks, roads, and the winter cycling network and to make them as safe as possible for busses and commuters before getting into residential areas.
Everyone is reminded to remove their vehicles from the roadway, unless they have an eligible parking permit or are accessing parking in our exempted commercial main streets, or they may risk being ticketed and towed. Parking is available at designated OC Transpo Park and Ride locations, select City of Ottawa garages – with conditions – as well as certain recreation centres during the winter weather parking ban.
Residents are reminded to move cars into your driveway or to ask a neighbour or friend to park in their driveway. When roads are clear, our operators can clear the snow closer to the curb which keeps road space wider and catch basins open.
Residents Support is Required
Finally, as we mentioned Monday, this is the type of storm we see once every 10 years, and we trust that you understand its level of complexity. Rest assured that the Roads and Parking Services Team is out in full force today and we are determined to continue working towards making our community safe.
We appreciate your patience as we work through these events together.
Yesterday, residents woke up to a thick blanket of snow. Some areas saw as much as 34 cm from overnight snowfall and strong winds (30-40 km/h) made both visibility and our operations challenging. By sunset, approximately 48 cm had fallen.
This was not your typical event and we will be working tirelessly in the coming days.
As we will not be meeting our Maintenance Quality Standards objectives and because of the challenges associated with this event, yesterday we declared a Significant Weather Event that will remain in effect until the safety of our residents is no longer at risk.
We are closely monitoring the events of the storm and its impacts on Ottawa, and updates will be posted to the City of Ottawa's website. With another event in the forecast for Wednesday, there is one thing we know for sure – this is a marathon and not a sprint – current winter operations will take days to complete.
Our Response
Our operators were out shortly after the first snowflake was sighted, and Teams will be tag teaming throughout the next few days to ensure that there is around the clock coverage working towards making our transportation networks safe.
With an immediate focus on priority sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network, our Teams will need to make multiple passes as the rate of accumulation will cover any previously treated/cleared areas within hours. This means that it will take longer for you to see our vehicles appear in residential neighbourhoods, making it challenging for you to get out of your community. We have said this, and we will say it again – please stay home if you can.
In collaboration with our partners in Traffic Services, Roads and Parking Services will work alongside Transit and Ottawa Police Services to ensure the efficient movement of the buses on the road network. The Traffic Incident Management Group (TIMG) has been activated, and Traffic Services staff will be monitoring the transportation network from the City’s Traffic Control Centre.
Service Impacts
For information about service impacts as it relates to today’s weather event, please visit Ottawa.ca/news.
Winter Weather Parking Ban
The Winter Weather Parking Ban is in effect until 7 pm. This ban is necessary to allow us to address the significant snowfall that will have fallen. The timing has been chosen to allow us to tackle the main sidewalks, roads, and the winter cycling network and to make them as safe as possible for busses and commuters before getting into residential areas.
Everyone is reminded to remove their vehicles from the roadway, unless they have an eligible parking permit or are accessing parking in our exempted commercial main streets, or they may risk being ticketed and towed. Parking is available at designated OC Transpo Park and Ride locations, select City of Ottawa garages – with conditions – as well as certain recreation centres during the winter weather parking ban.
Residents are reminded to move cars into your driveway or to ask a neighbour or friend to park in their driveway. When roads are clear, our operators can clear the snow closer to the curb which keeps road space wider and catch basins open.
Residents Support is Required
- Keep children away from the roadways. This means encouraging them to build their forts and snow tunnels away from the road (in the backyard is best), not to play on snow piles and to wave at our operators from a safe distance away from the roadway.
- We urge those who can, to stay home. Forecast shows that walking, driving, and cycling conditions will only worsen before they get better, and travel should be avoided. If your travel plans today are essential, please give yourself extra time, slow down and be safe.
- Flashing blue lights means we are hard at work. If you see a sidewalk plow approaching, please step aside into an open driveway. Residents may see echelon plowing, where our trucks work together in a tandem line formation to plow multi-lane roadways. Always remember to stay at least 3 car lengths behind our vehicles – please never pass our vehicles.
- There is no need to create a service request for routine snow removal. We are on the job and our efforts are currently needed out in the community, rather than in the office addressing routine service requests. During a Significant Weather Event, service requests should only be created for emergencies.
Finally, as we mentioned Monday, this is the type of storm we see once every 10 years, and we trust that you understand its level of complexity. Rest assured that the Roads and Parking Services Team is out in full force today and we are determined to continue working towards making our community safe.
We appreciate your patience as we work through these events together.
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Ottawa Markets is currently accepting vendor applications for the upcoming 2022 markets season.
By Jcart1534 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7517526
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City prepares Residential Vacant Unit Tax for 2023
Ottawa – The City is planning to implement a Residential Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) in 2023 based upon the occupancy status of a residential property. The proposed framework states that a residential property that is not the owner’s principal address and is vacant for more than 184 days during the calendar year could be subject to the new vacancy tax. |
The VUT is designed to motivate homeowners to occupy or rent their properties, helping to address the affordable housing crisis. Further, the net revenue collected from this tax is expected to support the City’s affordable housing initiatives. Once implemented, the vacancy tax will be calculated using a one percent tax rate applied to the property’s MPAC assessed value.
At the beginning of 2023, pending Council’s final approval in the spring of 2022, all homeowners will be required to complete a declaration based on their property’s occupancy status during the 2022 calendar year. If a property is not a principal residence, the homeowner will be required to declare whether the property was vacant, rented, or qualifies for an exemption in 2022. If the vacancy period in the calendar year exceeds 184 days, a vacancy tax will be added to the 2023 final property tax bill. Exemptions are being considered for the VUT in the following circumstances:
The City will audit declarations and properties each year. Staff will work with owners to review the accuracy of the property status and declarations. If it is proven false, the vacancy tax and penalties will apply.
In June 2021, Council approved the initial framework for the new Residential Vacant Unit Tax. The final report (including approved rate and exemptions) and supporting by-law will be presented to Council for approval in the spring of 2022.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
At the beginning of 2023, pending Council’s final approval in the spring of 2022, all homeowners will be required to complete a declaration based on their property’s occupancy status during the 2022 calendar year. If a property is not a principal residence, the homeowner will be required to declare whether the property was vacant, rented, or qualifies for an exemption in 2022. If the vacancy period in the calendar year exceeds 184 days, a vacancy tax will be added to the 2023 final property tax bill. Exemptions are being considered for the VUT in the following circumstances:
- Death of a registered owner
- Property owner in a hospital or long-term care facility
- Arm’s length sale of the property
- Specific court orders prohibiting occupancy, sale, or rental of the property
- The property was undergoing extended renovations or construction
The City will audit declarations and properties each year. Staff will work with owners to review the accuracy of the property status and declarations. If it is proven false, the vacancy tax and penalties will apply.
In June 2021, Council approved the initial framework for the new Residential Vacant Unit Tax. The final report (including approved rate and exemptions) and supporting by-law will be presented to Council for approval in the spring of 2022.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Upcoming Phase III Engagement from the Anti-Racism Secretariat at the City of Ottawa.
Bilingual resident town halls will provide residents and community stakeholders the opportunity to respond to the As We Heard It report and identify any recommended actions or gaps that may exist prior to the creation of the City’s first Anti-Racism Strategy. Residents can visit the Anti-Racism Secretariat’s Engage Ottawa page or click on the hyperlink in the poster to register for one of the upcoming town halls:
Thank you for your continued collaboration in this work. We look forward to continuing our work together to identify and challenge systemic racism in our City. |
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OC Transpo winter service has begun
OC Transpo is implementing Stage 2 construction detours, school service improvements and service adjustments, starting Sunday, December 19. New winter schedules and holiday schedules are available at octranspo.com or by calling 613-560-5000. |
The City of Ottawa is ready.
Stay tuned for updates as weather events arise ottawa.ca/en/parking-roads-and-travel/road-and-sidewalk-maintenance/winter-maintenance
Don't forget to clear your windows and refresh your winter emergency car kit
Stay safe!
SITE UPDATES
*NEW drop down menu for the Community News and Traffic Impacts under the HOME tab
*Check out our You Tube channel under the Media tab for public consultations
*NEW Stage 2 LRT Traffic Impacts Page HERE for construction road closures
*NEW Vaccination and pandemic response and reopening pages
*COMING SOON - Development Pages
*NEW drop down menu for the Community News and Traffic Impacts under the HOME tab
*Check out our You Tube channel under the Media tab for public consultations
*NEW Stage 2 LRT Traffic Impacts Page HERE for construction road closures
*NEW Vaccination and pandemic response and reopening pages
*COMING SOON - Development Pages