A Reminder
The Westboro Beach Community Association (WBCA) Annual General Meeting is tomorrow: Monday, November 26, 2012 7:00 p.m. Churchill Seniors Center, 2nd floor Town Hall
The evening will include a talk “Your Garden & Trees & More” Our guests will include: Landscape Designer Jessica Templeton City of Ottawa Arborist Bruce Reaney And Westboro Beach “Master” gardeners
There will be elections, followed by a Q & A session and what we hope will be a fruitful discussion on issues we should collectively address, social events and fundraising ideas.
Hope to see you tomorrow at the AGM. |
Hello; The Westboro Youth Centre is looking for board members. The Westboro Youth Centre offers recreational programs for youth 10-17 years of age. This program is held in Steacy Hall (aka "the Gym") on the second floor of All Saints' Anglican Church on Friday evening. The program is supported by funds from the local community including businesses, individuals, the All Saints Church and the Dovercourt Recreation Centre. A youth counsellor organizes sports, activities and outings. It is well attended. If you are interested in sitting on the board, please send your name and contact information to wyc@allsaintswestboro.com Be involved in your community and make a difference. WBCA Executive |
Hello; Youths aged 6 to 13 years can meet every Thursday night (5 to 7 pm) at the All Saints Church Hall for sports and activities July 5 to August 30. The entrance is at the rear of the building off Madison. Look for the Dovercourt van. The program is sponsored by the Dovercourt Recreation Centre, Carlington Community Health Centre and United Way Ottawa. For more information, please contact Breanna Gibbon at 613-722-4000 extension 325 or bgibbon@carlington.ochc.org  WBCA Executive |
Hello; The Roy
Duncan Park will host a playgroup in the park featuring Monkey Rock Music. The
programs will be held every Monday from July 9 to August 20 at 9:30-11:30. The
program is a fun, entertaining and creative music program for young children and
their caregivers. Snacks provided. For more information, please call Anisa at
613-722-4000 extension 236. The program is sponsored by the Ontario Early Years Centre, the Carlington Community Health Centre and Mothercraft Ottawa.  WBCA Executive |
Hello: The Westboro Beach Community Association (WBCA) will monitor the City of Ottawa’s 50- year plan to improve water quality at Westboro Beach and issue an annual report card to the community. Westboro Beach was closed to swimmers 26 days in the summer of 2011. In October 2011, the city approved a 50-year $43 million plan aimed at cutting the amount of stormwater that pollutes Westboro Beach and the Ottawa River. Unfortunately, only $2 million will be spent this year. The WBCA will track city expenditures and actions and will issue a passing or failing grade in an annual report card. The factors determining the passing or failing grade will be projects implemented, money spent and days the beach is closed to swimming. The planned retrofit program will help manage stormwater from the Westboro neighbourhood as well as the Pinecrest Creek watershed which drains into the Ottawa River just north of the beach. Westboro was built without the proper infrastructure to control water run-off from the surrounding streets. Infill and redevelopment in the area have also contributed to the problem. The retrofit plan includes stormwater ponds and pilot programs such as water cisterns, rain gardens and porous pavement on city properties. Other measures include narrowing parts of streets, building rock-filled trenches and creating rain gardens to catch run-off. The program also calls for two oil and grit separators and pair of stormwater management ponds. Any Westboro Beach resident wanting to get involved in monitoring the beach quality and working on the annual report contact should contact Ben Abraham or Mari Wellman or Bonnie Campbell.
Archives of Beach Quality for 2011 Pinecrest Creek/Westboro Stormwater Manager Retrofit Study |
Hello; I am sorry to announce that the Beach Opening BBQ has been cancelled. Once again the weather is not cooperating. I looked at both weather websites and rain is likely. Even if there is no rain, the weather will be cloudy and cold. Thank-you for those who contributed books/baked goods/etc. or volunteered to work at the BBQ. Even though the BBQ is not going ahead your help is appreciated. WBCA Executive |
Hello; The annual WBCA beach opening barbaque is a longstanding tradition that we hope you will attend. Not only is it a good way to meet your neighbours for an afternoon of fun in the sun, but this is also the WBCA’s primary fundraiser. We need your support to continue to host community events and to provide community feedback on issues that affect both our neighbourhood and the city. Date: Saturday, June 2nd Location: Under the trees at the entrance to the Beach Café pavilion patio. Time: Food will be available from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Traditional barbaque foods such as hamburgers and hotdogs will be available. For the non-meat eaters, we will be serving veggie burgers. An assortment of pop, juices and water will be available. We will have tap water that you can fill up your own water containers with. The barbecue’s activities are as follows:
How can you help? We need volunteers to make the
Westboro Beach Opening Barbeque a success. If you would like to volunteer to work at the Beach Opening
Barbeque, contact the WBCA at info or telephone Peter Bruton at 613 798-0880. Bake
Sale: Anyone who wishes to donate baked goods can drop them off at 272
Atlantis Avenue on June 1 or drop them off at the BBQ. Thank-you, WBCA Executive |
Date – January 30th (Sunday) In the winter of 2010, the WBCA held its first winter event in several years. On that cold and windy day in February between 75 and 100 people braved the wind for an afternoon of tobogganing and hot chocolate. The bonfire helped keep everyone warm. The event will be held again this year and we would like to expand the scope of the activities. There will be the usual tobogganing and bonfire, and we are exploring several other options. One of the ideas is snowman building/colouring. Another idea is snow sculpture/colouring. While snowman building is dependent upon the temperature, snow sculpture/colouring is not. In order to colour the snowmen and sculptures we need to gather as many empty spray bottles as possible. If you have any old spray bottles, drop them off on the front porch of 272 Atlantis Avenue. On the day of the event, they will be filled with coloured water and brought to the beach for the kids to use. If you are interested in volunteering to help organize this event, contact the WBCA through the website and someone will get back to you. Furthermore, if you have any ideas for activities and would be willing to help implement those ideas, contact the WBCA through the website and someone will get back to you. Keep your eyes on the WBCA website for additional information on this event. Best Wishes |
A REMINDER: We hope you have circled November 7th on your calendar. It is the Westboro Beach Community Association Annual General Meeting. We have an exciting guest and you won’t want to miss it. Phil Jenkins, award winning author, singer songwriter and Ottawa Citizen Columnist will speak. “I’ve come to unearth a story.” You may hear of something new about the neighbourhood you live in. Following the meeting, we will have an overview of the projects and issues tackled over the year, followed by election to the WBCA Board. Meet Phil Jenkins on: Monday November 7, 2011 Churchill Seniors Centre (345 Richmond Road) And it all starts at 7:00 p.m. See you then, Westboro Beach Community Association Board |
Hello; Come on out and enjoy the Westboro Beach closing bonfire. Date: Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Entertainment: Canadian Performer - Russell Levia This is a good opportunity to connect with your neighbors and enjoy a roasted marshmallow or two, or three .... Bring your chair and change. WBCA Executive |
Hello; The Westboro Beach Community Association's annual general meeting (AGM) is coming up soon. Please come out to meet your neighbors and discuss issues that are of concern to you. The award winning author & singer songwriter PHIL JENKINS "I’ve come to unearth a story." is the special guest. The AGM and elections will be held following Phil Jenkins. Date: Monday, November 7, 2011 Time: Churchill Seniors Centre Location: 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you there. WBCA Executive |
Hello; The following post is to inform residents of the Westboro Beach area about a public forum for a Community Design Plan for the Wellington West area. WBCA Executive ========================================================================================= Community Design Plan: What does it say? How will it be implemented? Your chance to ask questions! When: January 19, 2012, 7 to 9 p.m. The Wellington Village Community Association is holding a public forum to explore the Wellington West Community Design Plan. We hope to better understand what the CDP calls for in terms of development heights and densities along Wellington Street, and how the City envisions implementing these policies. Invited speakers include Councillor Katherine Hobbs, who will address how the community can be better involved in the planning approvals process, and Yasir Nagvi, who will explain his proposals for reforming the process of appealing development decisions to the Ontario Municipal Board. City Planning Dept. staff will also speak. |
Friendly reminder that the WBCA Winter carnival is this Saturday. We hope to see you there. WBCA Executive ======================================================= Date – January 28th (Saturday) Time – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Location – Westboro Beach Once again the WBCA will be holding its annual winter carnival. This will be our third carnival and we are hoping to build on the success of last year's event. Events this year include:
Arranging the frozen blocks of snow/ice and the spray painting were a big hit with the children last year. We could always use more blocks of ice/snow. This year a call is going out for more people to make snow/ice blocks. Simply make the snow/ice blocks and bring them to the beach around 1:30 pm the day of the carnival. If you need assistance transporting the snow/ice blocks to the beach, contact the WBCA through the website and someone will get back to you. Instructions for ice blocks are:
Instructions for snow blocks are:
We will be selling hot chocolate to help offset the cost of the fire permit required by the city. To reduce waste, please bring a mug for the hot chocolate. If you are interested in volunteering to help organize this event, contact the WBCA through the website and someone will get back to you. Furthermore, if you have any ideas for activities and would be willing to help implement those ideas, contact the WBCA through the website and someone will get back to you. Keep your eyes on the WBCA website for additional information on this event. Best Wishes WBCA Executive |
Hello; The Westboro Beach Community Association has asked local MP Paul Dewar to request the Department of Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC) let local residents’ access greenspace to be left vacant when the former CBC studio at 250 Lanark Avenue is torn down this summer. Mr. Dewar sent a letter to the Honorable Rona Ambrose in March making this formal request on behalf of the community. SNC-Lavalin, the consultants managing the deconstruction project, said at the public forum that the large new green space to the west of the Graham Spry Building will be fenced and enclosed so that its use is restricted to Government of Canada employees working there. As this neighbourhood has limited green space, this restriction is of major concern to us. WBCA asked Mr. Dewar to request Public Works and Government Services Canada to re-locate the positioning of the fence closer to the proposed paved lane accessing the back parking lot i.e. much further east. SNC Lavalin has no problem with the placement of the fence but they made it clear that it was not their decision but that of PWGSC, the de facto owner of the land. See the attached "Graham Spry Demo Project Site Drawings" file for the full versions of the two drawings of the 250 Lanark Avenue property presented at the public consultation meeting Thursday March 17, 2011. Two resized pictures of the before and after views of the property are located below. The WBCA has filed an access to information request for a copy of the 2006 PWGSC study on the property at 250 Lanark Avenue where options for the property were examined. Current Graham Spry building plan:  Future Graham Spry layout:  See the attached file "Graham Spry Building Decomission Project-Description" from SNC Lavalin. WBCA Executive |
Hello; The following is the WBCA Board's position on Uniform Developments zoning application for the Former Fendor property at 335 Roosevelt. WBCA Executive =============================================================================================== Issue Uniform Urban Developments wants to build two high-rise towers (one 16 and one 14 storey building) on the former Fendor site (335 Roosevelt). This is almost 3 times the height that is permitted under the current zoning.Community Position The communities on both sides of the transitway, do not want these high-rise towers. We want the existing zoning to be respected. We also want meaningful community consultation about how the former Fendor property should be developed, within the existing zoning and respecting City and Provincial planning guidelines.
Rationale To date, consultations with the developer have not been meaningful. This is because the developer has not submitted any reasonable, thoughtful designs that fit within current zoning laws and planning guidelines. Instead, he has compared his preferred design to a purely hypothetical, massive and unattractive building. This comparison seems to serve a two-fold purpose, namely to establish the maximum square footage that could possibly be built on the property under current zoning rules, and to predispose the community to accepting his more appealing design. The choice between the hypothetical building and the proposed towers is a false one. It avoids the real question, which is what is an appropriate design for the building that would fit within the current rules and complement the existing neighbourhood. Why does the developer wish to build higher than is currently allowed on the property? We think it is because condominiums with River views sell for much, much more than ones without. That is what is really at issue here. The developer is a very reputable builder. We have every confidence that he can erect an attractive condominium that is consistent with all applicable urban planning guidelines, within the current zoning bylaws and that is supported by the community. When local residents moved in and poured their life savings into their homes, they did not expect that they would some day face the prospect of being surrounded by high-rises. The proposed imposing structures will change the character of the neighbourhood and will reduce the use and enjoyment of our properties, and therefore the value of our properties by:
Conclusion The zoning of properties is a public policy decision. It needs to balance the profit motive with the needs of the community and the overall public interest. We call on the Planning Committee to deny the Developer’s application to change the zoning for the property at 335 Roosevelt. We call on the Developer, Uniform Urban Developments, to withdraw their application for a zoning change and to propose, in a spirit of true consultation with the community, a design that fits within the existing zoning, style and character of the neighbourhood, meets all applicable City and Provincial guidelines, and is acceptable to the community. We invite the developer to meet with the community to discuss thoughtful alternative designs that fit within the community, will minimize the negative effects described above, and that respect the current zoning and all applicable City and provincial guidelines. |
Hello; This article is a follow-up to the previous Beach Cleanup article posted on April 5/2011. The title of the original article may have led you to believe that Westboro Beach will be the focus of the cleanup activity. That is not the case. It is our goal to do a cleanup of the entire Westboro Beach community. That is a big task, but if sufficient people volunteer a few hours of their time, we can get the job done. Weather permitting the neighborhood cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 30, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. The rain date is Sunday, May 1, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Unlike last years cleanup activity, we are setting up three cleanup stations where volunteers will meet to assign areas that need cleaning up, pickup cleaning supplies, and drop off litter. The three cleanup stations are: Station #1: Westboro Beach parking lot. Station #2: Corner of Beechgrove Ave. and Lanark Ave. Station #3: Corner of Clearview Ave. and Remic Ave. This year the WBCA has registered with the "Cleaning the Capital" campaign. For additional information visit their website at: http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/environment/community/capitalcleaning/index_en.html. Use the following safey tips, from Cleaning the Capital campaign, to ensure that safety comes first:
WBCA executive |
Hello friends and neighbours, Please join us for "Summer Sipping", a wine tasting hosted by former Ottawa Citizen wine columnist Peter Ward.
Tickets are $40, and all proceeds go to the Hampton-Iona fund for present and future community development issues. You can obtain tickets by contacting us at 728-1231 or 729-9535 or fundraising@hamptoniona.ca Tickets are in limited supply so order early. If you cannot attend, we would appreciate it if you could spread the word! Thanks, Hampton Iona Community Group
P.S. For a full Q & A on the Convent settlement, visit www.HamptonIona.ca WBCA Executive |
Hello; If you are looking for something to do, check out the upcoming event at First United Church, 347 Richmond Road.  WBCA Executive |
Hello; If you are looking for something to do, check out the upcoming coffeehouse at Wellington Bridgehead.  WBCA Executive |
Roy Duncan Park Phase I and II Phase One (2009) and Phase Two (2010) of the Roy Duncan Park were projects led by the Westboro Beach Community Association (WBCA) in conjunction with a number of partners. Phase 1 is now complete and was developed with the City of Ottawa, Dovercourt Recreation Centre and the Carlington Community Health Centre. The improvements to the park included new playground equipment, leveling and sod for the soccer field. WBCA was also successful in obtaining funding for a community garden. Funds for phase one included project money from the City of Ottawa’s 15 year replacement of captial assets and a financial contribution from the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa West. Phase 2 of the park project was undertaken in November 2010. It included the purchase of three benches, new fencing, a gate from the park to the larger Westboro Beach neighborhood, a flag pole, a community bulletin information board and the removal of debris from a wooded area close to the park. WBCA received $27,000 in funding from the City of Ottawa cash-in-lieu of parkland funding to complete this work. The WBCA received funds amounting to $5950 as a result of successfull applications to the Harry P. Ward Foundation,the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa West and the Max Keeping Foundation. The City of Ottawa Forestry Services Department will be planting four oak trees in the spring of 2011. One red oak is to be planted to the north of the bench and 3 burr oak will be planted along the slope next to 285 Churchill Avenue. The three planting will complete phase two of the park. Official Opening of Phase Two The Westboro Beach Community Association and the Van Lang Tenants Group will work with the Carlington Community Health Centre Moms and Tots Group to have a barbeque and official opening of phase two of the Park. The date of the event is either late June or July 1. Local dignitaries will raise the flag to commemorate the official opening of phase two of the park. Van Lang Community House Phase Three The WBCA is working with the Van Lang Mortimer Tenants Group and the Carlington Community Health Centre to establish a community house at the Van Lang /Scotthill Housing area. The town houses and one of the two towers is owned by Ottawa Community Housing. Two other apartment buildings adjacent to Van Lang would also be able to use the services of the community house. The 2008 survey of tenants carried out by community partners identified the need for space for community programming as a major concern. The community house is Phase Three of the renewal. The community house will be a place for the residents to meet as well as where services could be offered such as primary health care, English as a second language training, access to computers, youth drop in, youth employment services and other activities such as counselling services and community events. The need for a community house was made evident again last summer when an altercation with a youth living in Van Lang resulted in his shooting by Ottawa police (June 23, 2010). There was no space available for the community to debrief and get information in a timely manner. The tenants believe there is a need for programming and facilities that will help build community and find solutions to their concerns. A tenants group has been meeting in the last year to establish a tenants association so they can have a larger voice in their community. To date, they have organized a barbeque, a safety audit , a Halloween event, a community garden and a clean-up is planned for April 17 or May 1(rain date). The Carlington Community Health Centre hopes to dedicate a youth worker one or two days a week this summer to the Scotthill area that includes residents living in the Van Lang apartment building, the Vietnamese Non-Profit Housing Corporation and the Taiga Non-Profit Housing Corporation. The WBCA applied to the Community Foundation for funds to carry out a user survey to assess the needs of the community. In the last six months, WBCA met several times with Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) senior managers and CEO Jo-Anne Poirier to determine possible locations for a community house. Discussions centered on the workshop space at the end of the townhouses that now serves as the OCH workshop and an analysis of other off-site temporary locations. The WBCA and other community partners are looking at building more permanent community space on the Van Lang site. Award winning architect Barry Hobin has offered to draw up the architectural drawings for the community house room. At present, an architect is looking at the site plan to identify locations for the community room. Bonnie Campbell Westboro Beach Community Association |
Hello; The WBCA has obtained a copy of the Asset Management Plan for the Graham Spry Building on 250 Lanark Avenue. A copy of this file is attached to this article. See the article posted on this website "Rezoning of 250 Lanark Ave. (Old CBC Land) for Residential Development" on October 25 for additional information. WBCA Executive |
Hello: In April, 2011, the Westboro Beach Community Association (WBCA) requested that Public Works and Government Services Canada allow the land at 250 Lanark Ave. to be used for community green space. This land became available because of the demolition of the old CBC studio. When no response was received either by the WBCA or MP Paul Dewar, the WBCA submitted a formal Access to Information request. Shockingly, it discovered that the Government of Canada is examining the possibility of re-zoning the old CBC lands in order to allow for residential development. While the consultant’s report on potential use of the vacant land lists a number of options for the land and the remaining office tower, the recommendation is that Public Works and Government Services Canada should proceed to re-zone the land in order to allow for redevelopment. The current office tower is in good enough shape to be retained for use by the Government of Canada. Currently, it houses part of Health Canada. The deconstruction of the site under the supervision of SNC Lavelin is almost complete except for the landscaping and removal of surplus debris. A public meeting was held prior to the beginning of the demolition at the Graham Spry Building on Thursday, March 17, 2011. At that time, the consultants told a large group of residents that there were no plans for re-development or rezoning of the site. The WBCA will ask MP Paul Dewar to table a written question in the House of Commons for the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, the Hon. Rona Ambrose . The question will ask for specific details about when the application will be filed with the City of Ottawa to re-zone and sell the land. We need to prepare for the future. The maps of the site are on this web site under the post titled WBCA Requests Access to New Greenspace at 250 Lanark Avenue. WBCA executive |
Hello; As part of proposal for the development at 335 Roosevelt, Uniform has creating a Planning Rationale Report. The WBCA has reviewed that report and the key conclusions of the WBCA analysis are as follows: 1) The document “Planning Rationale Report”, prepared by Willis and Associates, (at in fact fails to provide any rationale whatsoever for exceeding the current height zoning for the former Fendor properties. 2) All of the problems with the current zoning that are alleged in the document are in fact problems with the “straw man” design (“building the zoning envelope”) that is proposed as the only alternative. There is no problem with the zoning. 3) The developer has so far refused to put forward any thoughtful designs that fit within the current zoning and conform to all applicable planning principles. 4) Building 194 units, in this way, on this property is not in character with the surrounding community and will result in serious impacts on the community, including serious traffic and shadowing impacts. The only way to avoid these problems is to stay within the current zoning and to build a significantly smaller number of units, i.e., less density. 5) The Planning Committee should reject this proposal, for two key reasons: i) There is no rationale for exceeding the current zoning; and ii) Accepting the proposal would create a very unfortunate precedent. Specifically, it would imply that the Planning Committee’s accepts the “straw man” argument that has been put forward by the developer. This would effectively declare “open season” for developers – and indeed private individuals – to make the same argument in respect of the properties they own. In this way, it would seriously undermine the credibility of the zoning bylaws, firmly establishing them as nothing more than a “jumping off point” for developer negotiations with communities, the City, the Planning Committee and Council for more height. As we have seen time and time again in Ottawa, this “gaming” of the bylaws by developers results in costly battles pitting citizens against each other, their Councillors, City staff and the Planning Committee. This costly gaming of the system by developers must end. Putting an end to this costly game must start by saying a firm “no” to Uniform’s proposal. See the attached file for the WBCA's full analysis of the Planning Rationale Report.In addition, there is a 2nd attached document created by the CMHC on a Transit-Orientated Development Case Study for the Metropole building. Have a good day. WBCA Executive |
Hello; The Westboro Beach Community Association's annual general meeting (AGM) is coming up soon. Please come out to meet your neighbors and discuss issues that are of concern to you. The award winning author & singer songwriter PHIL JENKINS "I’ve come to unearth a story." is the special guest. The AGM and elections will be held following Phil Jenkins. Date: Monday, November 7, 2011 Time: Churchill Seniors Centre Location: 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you there. WBCA Executive |
Hello; When a
property owner intends to make significant changes to an existing property e.g.
sever the lot, build a larger than permitted structure, etc, they must request
variance approval from the City of Ottawa Committee of Adjustment. The WBCA reviews these requests carefully and
works with the neighbours to oppose variance which are not in keeping with the
neighbourhood.
On November
16, 2011, there were 4 properties under consideration in the Westboro Beach
area. The decision of the Committee has
now been announced. 1. 289-291 Atlantis Ave
(developer Urban Strada). The developer
asked to sever the lot in half, and build 2 houses requiring reduced lot width
and reduced lot size. The fourth
request was to have the house be higher than the 8 metre height allowed for by
zoning.
Result: The application was
adjourned to be reviewed at the January meeting. This is to give the developer and neighbours
time to find a compromise. The application will be coming back to the Committee
of Adjustment.
2. 283 Kirchoffer Ave. (developer Greg Capello). The developer wants to duplicate what he
built at 285-289 Kirchoffer – something which was also not approved at the
Committee of Adjustment nor at the Ontario Municipal Board.
Result: The reserve decision of the Committee was to adjourn all of
Mr. Capello’s applications ‘Sine Die’. In order for Mr. Capello to reactivate
his applications he will have to pay a fee to the Committee for their
reactivation/recirculation and then in turn will re-notify everyone that is
within a 60 metres radius of this property of the new Hearing date. There is no
decision issued when the Committee adjourns applications ‘Sine Die (adjourned without assigning a
date).
3. 285 Selby Ave and 266, 268,
270 Ferndale Ave. (developer Uniform Urban Developments). The developer asked to sever the existing lot
into 4 lots and to have reduced lot size (20%) and lot width.
Result: Application approved.
"It is
the opinion of the Committee that the scale and massing of the proposed
development is appropriate for the subject property. The Committee acknowledges
that corner lots provide unique opportunities for intensification, and find this
particular corner lot provides a suitable lot area to accommodate the four
proposed parcels, with minimal adverse impact on surrounding development and
existing vegetation.”
4. 283 Lanark Ave and 272,274,276, 278 Beechgrove Ave.
(developer Sam Falsetto). The developer asked to sever the existing lot into 4 lots and to have
reduced lot size (40%) and lot width.
Result: Application
refused. “The applications for minor
variances having failed, therefore these applications must also
fail.” WBCA Executive |
