Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North Kanata North's Ward Picnic

Just a reminder that your Kanata North Ward Picnic is on Monday, July 30th 4-8 pm is on the Sandwell Green. There's a complementary barbeque, bouncies, face painting, Tai Chi demonstration, Bob FM, Ottawa's Blueslady, information, auto display and more. Plan to drop by to meet me and visit your neighbours. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a fun and relaxing evening. We'll be on rain or shine (unless it's a complete washout). The Sandwell Green is located between the Parkway (off Teron Road) and Leacock Drive in the Beaverbrook Community. Park at the Earl of March Highschool (entrance from the Parkway) as there is no stopping along the Parkway. The park is directly across the road from the parking lot entrance.

Public Meeting on the Zoning for Rona and Addition to the Ministry of Transportation Garage, Tuesday July 31st
Rona is planning to build at the corner of Didsbury and Campeau Drive. They've applied for a Plan of Subdivision and zoning for their property. They plan a large Rona store, a freestanding retail/restaurant building, a future business park development and conservation lands within the Carp corridor. The public meeting to discuss this application will take place from 7-9 pm on Tuesday, July 31st at the Mlacak Centre, 2500 Campeau Drive. If you cannot attend the meeting you can submit comments to the planner, Sally Switzer at 613580-2424 ext 27597. At the same time drawings will be available so you can view the proposed addition to the Ministry of Transportation Garage located adjacent to the Queensway at that end of the former Goulbourn Forced Road. There will also be adjustments to the site plan for a storm water pond, drainage and landscaping on this plan.

Cats
Owners of cats are reminded that they should keep their pets from going into neighbouring properties. It is also a good idea to have a bell or some other noise making item on their collar to protect birds and small animals in the community.

Better Service for Kanata

The Kanata Client Service Centre building at 580 Terry Fox Drive now provides some provincial services as well continuing to provide municipal services.

Residents will be able to purchase hunting and fishing licences, obtain assistance in submiting applications for birth certificates on-line, register a business and much more. Initially, health card registration and renewal services will be available one day a week, by appointment only, while demand is assessed. Appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling 1-888-376-5197. The cost of the fit-up and ongoing lease costs are being covered by Service Ontario so there is no new costs to the City. The Centre will be open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Sale of Land, Terry Fox at Kanata Avenue

The City is considereing selling land which was originally to be the location of Kanata Avenue but, due to the relocation of that road at the time of construction, is now considered surplus to city requirements. Local residents may recall that there was some discussion about the possibility of a gas station on this site. At present this land is still zoned agricultural so any development would require a zoning bylaw amendment. Staff have informed me that, in pre-consultations with the applicant, they indicated that a gas station was not being considered due to negative feedback from the community when they originally proposed the idea. The applicant has not submitted a Zoning By-law Amendment application at this time. Any zoning application requires notification to the community and a public meeting. I will recommend to the applicant that any proposal be discussed with the community through the Kanata Lakes Community Association before any application is made.

Road Safety Program

Julys emphasis will be on pedestrian safety and will also focus on unsafe lane changing. On Ottawa roads in 2006, 334 pedestrians were injured in traffic collisions, 32 of which were life-threatening injuries, and five pedestrians were killed. Also shockingly, in 2006, 843 reportable collisions occurred on Ottawa roads due to drivers changing lanes unsafely. These collisions resulted in 119 injuries, seven of them serious, and two deaths. Enforcement focuses on both pedestrian violations and motorists violating pedestrian rights to encourage both to share the road with one another safely and more respectfully.

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 City Hall at 613-580-2474 or by email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com