August Community Newsletter
Some of you receiving this newsletter are newly minted Community Association members signed up at the opening of the new outdoor pool at Bob Mitchell Park on July 1st. While the old “Crestview Pool/Bob Mitchell Park” sign remains out front of the property there was no reference made to "Crestview Pool" during the ceremony. While I have not asked formally one might speculate that the City could be reserving the right to formally give the new pool a new name perhaps to be named pool after some past municipal or community leader in the near future. We don’t think it will ever return to its original name, “Nameless Pool”.
Regarding the Pool Opening ceremony the Community Association would like to acknowledge the work of Councillor Chiarelli and his office staff for organizing the event and officiating at the ceremony. We would like to also recognize Kim Sczygiel the City’s Director of Aquatics for Specialized and City Wide Programs who spoke so well at the ceremony. She is a City staff person with personal history with the original Pool having been raised in the area and having worked there as a guard as a teenager. Thanks also goes to the following members of our CA executive, George Babbage, Charlene White and David Holder who assisted with the Membership drive. Thanks also to CA member Marcel Smit who took an array of photo’s which we hope to post on this site very shortly.
Finally community association members asked if the City could keep the pool any later than August 20th. We followed up on this the answer was a firm no as there is no budget to add any additional time to the pool’s calendar. Also someone wisely noted that the pool is deficient in bike racks. We have asked thru Councillor Chiarelli’s office how we might lobby for at least one additional bike rack for 2018.
A quick history the Crestview Meadowlands Community Association and its former antecedent the Crestview Community Association has a long history stretching back to the 1960’s when many of the original homes in this neighbourhood were built. A portion of the area was built in the 1950’s (on Oakridge) dovetailing some of the early development of City View. The homes on Sullivan, Whitehill, Donland and Parker were known originally as ‘Woodroffe on the Green’ when it was a new development. (the green being the natural space to the south of us). The Community Association or CA existed in various forms up to around 2011 and kind of petered out but was re-formulated in January of 2016 with mobilization resources and assistance being provided by some very good folks working in Councillor Chiarelli’s office.
The CA has been involved in advocating for many issues over the years. One of the more mobilizing issues the community has been involved with and one that remains in play is an attempt to maintain the natural space corridor at our south end (the natural open space abutting Crestview/Meadowlands with the CN main rail line between Merivale and Woodroffe). This fight involved in and around 2005 mobilization for a very large petition to at that time thwart an attempt by the load owner, the NCC to sell the property off for a housing development. Sadly that issue is still not dead. The NCC have recently declared this land surplus and of no environmental benefit. As well the City of Ottawa has abandoned plans to use it as a Light Rail Maintenance and Storage Facility. So this property we surmise could be in play once again.
The following is some current news:
193 Norice Student Apartment development: Many have asked when are the constructors going to start the building at 193 Norice. We checked at the City and have been told that the developer will be submitting their building permit in the next couple of weeks and starting construction likely in the fall with completion happening next spring and summer.
Viewmount Area Traffic Management Study – GOOD NEWS on this front. Some of you will recall the City having undertaken in late 2016 a Viewmount Traffic Management study. Long story short the consultants presented at a community meeting in the fall a series of traffic management measures for the stretch of Viewmount in our community, from Meadowlands to Merivale.
Two weeks ago City staff summoned Councillor Chiarelli and his staff to report that the measures for this section had moved up the priority list and that the City will be tendering for the complete package of mitigation measures in 2018. The caveat being if the construction costs exceed the budgetary allowance, priority will be given on the section from Meadowlands to Sullivan first, as that is where most of the various management devices were included in the final design. There is one sidewalk expansion further up Viewmount with a couple of re-located bus stops which may or may not happen depending on whether the cost is line with the available funds. This is good news because some will remember staff speculating these measures could be several years away. Apparently another project was taken off the list which moved ours up the queue. I, Greg Elliott your current CA President has a full “spread out on the table” copy of all of the traffic management plan and its complete recommendations so if anyone wants to borrow that copy you are welcome to, just call me at 613-225-6039.
A related traffic management question was recently asked: “Can more be done to mitigate racing traffic on Norice between Sullivan and Woodroffe”? The CA has inquired to the City to see if the traffic speed flex stakes we have had on Viewmount from Meadowlands to Norice, could be installed on this section of Norice. Seems there could be issue with the width of this street and the allowance for parking meaning some the parking allowance might have to removed and that can only be done thru a polling of the residents on the street. This is now in the mill but is not expected to occur until 2018.
Brooklane Outdoor Rink: The Community Association will be again administering the outdoor rink at St. Gregory’s school at Brooklane and Meadowlands this winter. There had been some requests to try and organize a community skating day which if enough folks step forward to assist with, we may try this winter.
thank you,
Published date August 22nd, 2017
Greg Elliott
President Crestview Meadowlands Community Association
OPENING OF THE NEW CRESTVIEW POOL AT BOB MITCHELL PARK
On Saturday July 1st. 2017 the new Crestview Pool was opened. Many thanks to Councillor Chiarelli and all of his efforts to make this happen, thanks to his staff for their assistance with the opening ceremony.
Special thanks to the Lee Mitchell and family, who on behalf the late Nepean community leader, Bob Mitchell, assisted with the ceremony by furnishing a wonderful celebratory cake. Thank you to former Nepean Mayer, Mary Pitt for her wonderful inspirational comments which reminded all of the heritage of these legacy City of Nepean parks and recreation and community facilities which were originally so carefully and prudently planned and financed by the former City of Nepean.
2017 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
On April 20th 2017 the Crestview Meadowlands Community Association held its Annual General Meeting in Room 1C at Ben Franklin Place om 101 Centrepointe Drive.
At this meeting it was resolved that three (3) positions of the CA Executive, namely that of the President, the Secretary and the Treasurer were not up for renewal as per the Community Association's Constitution.
Only Members at Large needed to be nominated for new terms. As a result the following Members at Large were nominated and affirmed by all in attendance, Gerry Brown, George Babbage, Charlene or Terry White, Amy Owen and Larry Parker.
The Community Association's Facebook Page is
https://www.facebook.com/crestviewmeadowlands/
The e-mail address for the Crestview Meadowlands Community Association remains
[email protected].
The Community Association's commitment to its Membership remains as follows:
2017 SPRING GENERAL MEETING
The Crestview Meadowlands Community Association conducted its Spring General Meeting on April 20th, 2017 in Meeting Room 1C at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive.
The first order of business involved welcoming Constable Sherry Jordan of the Ottawa Police Service who presented an overview of the Ottawa Police's new community policing model.
This was followed by a presentation by the Community Association's President, Greg Elliott, which summarized all of the issues that the Community Association had been monitoring over the past year 2016 into 2017.
Mr. Elliott also presented a preview of what activities and events are expected in 2017.
The Community Association then welcoming College Ward Councillor Rick Chiarelli who made a short presentation of his take on the issues being monitored by the Community Association, including the future of the Nepean Open Space corridor, Traffic Management issues in our area, issues around residents running businesses in their homes and owners who renovate their residences for multiple student tenants.
The Community Association had presented the Councillor's office in advance a number of questions regarding the City's Property Standards By-law.
The Spring General Meeting convened around 9:15 p.m.
Other Community Association News
Four (4) Storey Apartment Building - 193 Norice St.
The Community Association is attempting to confirm with with Saint Joseph Developments when the actual construction of the student apartment building on the 193 Norice St. property will be commencing. Original communication indicated some time in May and we are now moving to July with no activity at this site. As far as we know the student resident apartment building is still scheduled for occupancy, September 2018.
City of Ottawa Viewmount Area Traffic Management Study Update
The City hosted a public meeting regarding the Viewmount Area Traffic Management Study last fall. At that meeting, it presented the results of its earlier consultation (through a public questionnaire) and the resulting Viewmount Drive concept plan for your review and comment. The City's study team has been working through all of the comments received from interested citizens.
The City has advised that while the concept plan is good to help communicate the overall look and intent of the project, it does not provide the level of detail it needs to ensure it functions properly in reality, meets required standards, and considers best practices and design guidance (e.g. Can large vehicles make turns? How can the proposed features be designed to accommodate accessibility needs? How will the changes to the street affect maintenance, operations, and bus services? Etc.). To check functionality of the concept, the City must take the design further to address these considerations and refine it as we get further feedback from stakeholders on specific details. Once they feel they have a functional plan that has been vetted by the various stakeholder agencies and has received consensus, approval will be sought for a plan for the whole street from the City's General Manager of Transportation Services.
Once it is approved City staff will prepare our order for the detailed design and construction of the plan. The City cautions that implementation timing to actually deploy some of the mitigation measures and general improvement measures we all saw in the concept plan will depend on budget considerations and project workload in its Infrastructure Services group. As scheduling becomes more clear, the City will provide an update.
The Community Association has tried to impress upon City staff that some the minimal improvements such as bus stop accesses and changing of parking limits or rules could be implemented much sooner, and in fact should be. Also the general condition of the small stretches of paved boulevard (between on Viewmount between Norice and Sullivan) should be maintained much better.
Also the Community Association would encourage all residents to pay attention to attending to that small piece of City property in front of their homes on Viewmount, the piece of property between the road allowance and the sidewalk. It projects a better image of the community and certainly does not detract from property values for your homes and those of your neighbours.
The Future of the Major Open Space area known as the “Nepean Corridor”
Recently the City announced finalized plans to proceed with LRT Phase II which have now apparently ruled out having a light rail maintenance and storage facility on the property known as the Nepean Corridor which is the ribbon of major open space just south of our community, treasured and enjoyed by many.
What this means for the future of this property is matter of concern for the Community Association and we know for many residents and Association members.t Our goal is to have it remain as a major open space and not see any significant if any development.
Final decisions on its future are not likely until the City determines whether its newly proposed sites for a LRT Phase I Maintenance and Storage Facility 3 candidate sites in the Moodie Drive/Queensway intersection area are viable or not. This will be determined on or about June of this year.
St. Gregory's School - Outdoor Rink Operation Winter 2017
The Crestview Meadowlands Community Association successfully maintained and provide supervisory oversight for the outdoor rink located on the property of St. Gregory's Catholic Elementary School on Meadowlands Drive (at Brook Lane) for the 2017 winter season. This is part of a three (3) year Service Agreement entered into by the Community Association with the City of Ottawa.
Recent Hot Issues
SPEEDING ON NORICE BETWEEN SULLIVAN AN WOODROFFE.
The outshot of the new sewer work in this area from a few years back is a brand new paved Norice St. in the stretch between Sullivan and the light at Woodroffe. Its was a sore spot for many for years the cut through traffic coming east in the mornings and going west in the afternoon. The issue now however appears that many (and it could some of us) knowing they have a nice surface on this stretch of Norice surface are feeling free to accelerate to dangerous speeds to try and make the short light at Norice/Woodroffe. It is worrisome for many on Norice and we ask everyone in the Crestview Meadowlands community, that if you have ever even once partaken in this practice, to think of your neighbours and think if it was your street. The same goes for speeding for the light at Meadowlands and Viewmount, lets at least for us, not fall in this trap.
DO YOU HAVE A HOT ISSUE YOU'D LIKE US TO PUBLISH HERE, IF SO PLEASE E-MAIL US AT [email protected]
Greenspace Alliance
The Crestview Viewmount Community Association is a member in good standing and regular attendee of the Meetings of the Greenspace Alliance.
Federation of Ottawa Citizen’s Associations
The Crestview Viewmount Community Association was a member of the Federation of Ottawa Citizen’s Association for 2016 and has indicated to that organization it wishes to renew its membership for 2017. This is an association of Community Associations and other community bodies/interest groups that exists in Ottawa.
Some of you receiving this newsletter are newly minted Community Association members signed up at the opening of the new outdoor pool at Bob Mitchell Park on July 1st. While the old “Crestview Pool/Bob Mitchell Park” sign remains out front of the property there was no reference made to "Crestview Pool" during the ceremony. While I have not asked formally one might speculate that the City could be reserving the right to formally give the new pool a new name perhaps to be named pool after some past municipal or community leader in the near future. We don’t think it will ever return to its original name, “Nameless Pool”.
Regarding the Pool Opening ceremony the Community Association would like to acknowledge the work of Councillor Chiarelli and his office staff for organizing the event and officiating at the ceremony. We would like to also recognize Kim Sczygiel the City’s Director of Aquatics for Specialized and City Wide Programs who spoke so well at the ceremony. She is a City staff person with personal history with the original Pool having been raised in the area and having worked there as a guard as a teenager. Thanks also goes to the following members of our CA executive, George Babbage, Charlene White and David Holder who assisted with the Membership drive. Thanks also to CA member Marcel Smit who took an array of photo’s which we hope to post on this site very shortly.
Finally community association members asked if the City could keep the pool any later than August 20th. We followed up on this the answer was a firm no as there is no budget to add any additional time to the pool’s calendar. Also someone wisely noted that the pool is deficient in bike racks. We have asked thru Councillor Chiarelli’s office how we might lobby for at least one additional bike rack for 2018.
A quick history the Crestview Meadowlands Community Association and its former antecedent the Crestview Community Association has a long history stretching back to the 1960’s when many of the original homes in this neighbourhood were built. A portion of the area was built in the 1950’s (on Oakridge) dovetailing some of the early development of City View. The homes on Sullivan, Whitehill, Donland and Parker were known originally as ‘Woodroffe on the Green’ when it was a new development. (the green being the natural space to the south of us). The Community Association or CA existed in various forms up to around 2011 and kind of petered out but was re-formulated in January of 2016 with mobilization resources and assistance being provided by some very good folks working in Councillor Chiarelli’s office.
The CA has been involved in advocating for many issues over the years. One of the more mobilizing issues the community has been involved with and one that remains in play is an attempt to maintain the natural space corridor at our south end (the natural open space abutting Crestview/Meadowlands with the CN main rail line between Merivale and Woodroffe). This fight involved in and around 2005 mobilization for a very large petition to at that time thwart an attempt by the load owner, the NCC to sell the property off for a housing development. Sadly that issue is still not dead. The NCC have recently declared this land surplus and of no environmental benefit. As well the City of Ottawa has abandoned plans to use it as a Light Rail Maintenance and Storage Facility. So this property we surmise could be in play once again.
The following is some current news:
193 Norice Student Apartment development: Many have asked when are the constructors going to start the building at 193 Norice. We checked at the City and have been told that the developer will be submitting their building permit in the next couple of weeks and starting construction likely in the fall with completion happening next spring and summer.
Viewmount Area Traffic Management Study – GOOD NEWS on this front. Some of you will recall the City having undertaken in late 2016 a Viewmount Traffic Management study. Long story short the consultants presented at a community meeting in the fall a series of traffic management measures for the stretch of Viewmount in our community, from Meadowlands to Merivale.
Two weeks ago City staff summoned Councillor Chiarelli and his staff to report that the measures for this section had moved up the priority list and that the City will be tendering for the complete package of mitigation measures in 2018. The caveat being if the construction costs exceed the budgetary allowance, priority will be given on the section from Meadowlands to Sullivan first, as that is where most of the various management devices were included in the final design. There is one sidewalk expansion further up Viewmount with a couple of re-located bus stops which may or may not happen depending on whether the cost is line with the available funds. This is good news because some will remember staff speculating these measures could be several years away. Apparently another project was taken off the list which moved ours up the queue. I, Greg Elliott your current CA President has a full “spread out on the table” copy of all of the traffic management plan and its complete recommendations so if anyone wants to borrow that copy you are welcome to, just call me at 613-225-6039.
A related traffic management question was recently asked: “Can more be done to mitigate racing traffic on Norice between Sullivan and Woodroffe”? The CA has inquired to the City to see if the traffic speed flex stakes we have had on Viewmount from Meadowlands to Norice, could be installed on this section of Norice. Seems there could be issue with the width of this street and the allowance for parking meaning some the parking allowance might have to removed and that can only be done thru a polling of the residents on the street. This is now in the mill but is not expected to occur until 2018.
Brooklane Outdoor Rink: The Community Association will be again administering the outdoor rink at St. Gregory’s school at Brooklane and Meadowlands this winter. There had been some requests to try and organize a community skating day which if enough folks step forward to assist with, we may try this winter.
thank you,
Published date August 22nd, 2017
Greg Elliott
President Crestview Meadowlands Community Association
OPENING OF THE NEW CRESTVIEW POOL AT BOB MITCHELL PARK
On Saturday July 1st. 2017 the new Crestview Pool was opened. Many thanks to Councillor Chiarelli and all of his efforts to make this happen, thanks to his staff for their assistance with the opening ceremony.
Special thanks to the Lee Mitchell and family, who on behalf the late Nepean community leader, Bob Mitchell, assisted with the ceremony by furnishing a wonderful celebratory cake. Thank you to former Nepean Mayer, Mary Pitt for her wonderful inspirational comments which reminded all of the heritage of these legacy City of Nepean parks and recreation and community facilities which were originally so carefully and prudently planned and financed by the former City of Nepean.
2017 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
On April 20th 2017 the Crestview Meadowlands Community Association held its Annual General Meeting in Room 1C at Ben Franklin Place om 101 Centrepointe Drive.
At this meeting it was resolved that three (3) positions of the CA Executive, namely that of the President, the Secretary and the Treasurer were not up for renewal as per the Community Association's Constitution.
Only Members at Large needed to be nominated for new terms. As a result the following Members at Large were nominated and affirmed by all in attendance, Gerry Brown, George Babbage, Charlene or Terry White, Amy Owen and Larry Parker.
The Community Association's Facebook Page is
https://www.facebook.com/crestviewmeadowlands/
The e-mail address for the Crestview Meadowlands Community Association remains
[email protected].
The Community Association's commitment to its Membership remains as follows:
- To advocate for the interests of residents of the community residents within the decision making processes at all levels of government (municipal, provincial & federal) where there is sufficient consensus to so,
- b) To convey to Association members any information that could impact the community as this is disseminated to the Community Association from all levels of government,
- c) To inform Association members about pertinent activities and/or event opportunities whether these are being organized by the Association or by others,
- d) To encourage and participate in community building activities which promote community spirit, pride and fellowship amongst community residents,
- e) To monitor and document public opinion concerning issues affecting community residents, and
- f) To cooperate and support other organizations with community activities and projects that could be a benefit to community residents.
2017 SPRING GENERAL MEETING
The Crestview Meadowlands Community Association conducted its Spring General Meeting on April 20th, 2017 in Meeting Room 1C at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive.
The first order of business involved welcoming Constable Sherry Jordan of the Ottawa Police Service who presented an overview of the Ottawa Police's new community policing model.
This was followed by a presentation by the Community Association's President, Greg Elliott, which summarized all of the issues that the Community Association had been monitoring over the past year 2016 into 2017.
Mr. Elliott also presented a preview of what activities and events are expected in 2017.
The Community Association then welcoming College Ward Councillor Rick Chiarelli who made a short presentation of his take on the issues being monitored by the Community Association, including the future of the Nepean Open Space corridor, Traffic Management issues in our area, issues around residents running businesses in their homes and owners who renovate their residences for multiple student tenants.
The Community Association had presented the Councillor's office in advance a number of questions regarding the City's Property Standards By-law.
The Spring General Meeting convened around 9:15 p.m.
Other Community Association News
Four (4) Storey Apartment Building - 193 Norice St.
The Community Association is attempting to confirm with with Saint Joseph Developments when the actual construction of the student apartment building on the 193 Norice St. property will be commencing. Original communication indicated some time in May and we are now moving to July with no activity at this site. As far as we know the student resident apartment building is still scheduled for occupancy, September 2018.
City of Ottawa Viewmount Area Traffic Management Study Update
The City hosted a public meeting regarding the Viewmount Area Traffic Management Study last fall. At that meeting, it presented the results of its earlier consultation (through a public questionnaire) and the resulting Viewmount Drive concept plan for your review and comment. The City's study team has been working through all of the comments received from interested citizens.
The City has advised that while the concept plan is good to help communicate the overall look and intent of the project, it does not provide the level of detail it needs to ensure it functions properly in reality, meets required standards, and considers best practices and design guidance (e.g. Can large vehicles make turns? How can the proposed features be designed to accommodate accessibility needs? How will the changes to the street affect maintenance, operations, and bus services? Etc.). To check functionality of the concept, the City must take the design further to address these considerations and refine it as we get further feedback from stakeholders on specific details. Once they feel they have a functional plan that has been vetted by the various stakeholder agencies and has received consensus, approval will be sought for a plan for the whole street from the City's General Manager of Transportation Services.
Once it is approved City staff will prepare our order for the detailed design and construction of the plan. The City cautions that implementation timing to actually deploy some of the mitigation measures and general improvement measures we all saw in the concept plan will depend on budget considerations and project workload in its Infrastructure Services group. As scheduling becomes more clear, the City will provide an update.
The Community Association has tried to impress upon City staff that some the minimal improvements such as bus stop accesses and changing of parking limits or rules could be implemented much sooner, and in fact should be. Also the general condition of the small stretches of paved boulevard (between on Viewmount between Norice and Sullivan) should be maintained much better.
Also the Community Association would encourage all residents to pay attention to attending to that small piece of City property in front of their homes on Viewmount, the piece of property between the road allowance and the sidewalk. It projects a better image of the community and certainly does not detract from property values for your homes and those of your neighbours.
The Future of the Major Open Space area known as the “Nepean Corridor”
Recently the City announced finalized plans to proceed with LRT Phase II which have now apparently ruled out having a light rail maintenance and storage facility on the property known as the Nepean Corridor which is the ribbon of major open space just south of our community, treasured and enjoyed by many.
What this means for the future of this property is matter of concern for the Community Association and we know for many residents and Association members.t Our goal is to have it remain as a major open space and not see any significant if any development.
Final decisions on its future are not likely until the City determines whether its newly proposed sites for a LRT Phase I Maintenance and Storage Facility 3 candidate sites in the Moodie Drive/Queensway intersection area are viable or not. This will be determined on or about June of this year.
St. Gregory's School - Outdoor Rink Operation Winter 2017
The Crestview Meadowlands Community Association successfully maintained and provide supervisory oversight for the outdoor rink located on the property of St. Gregory's Catholic Elementary School on Meadowlands Drive (at Brook Lane) for the 2017 winter season. This is part of a three (3) year Service Agreement entered into by the Community Association with the City of Ottawa.
Recent Hot Issues
SPEEDING ON NORICE BETWEEN SULLIVAN AN WOODROFFE.
The outshot of the new sewer work in this area from a few years back is a brand new paved Norice St. in the stretch between Sullivan and the light at Woodroffe. Its was a sore spot for many for years the cut through traffic coming east in the mornings and going west in the afternoon. The issue now however appears that many (and it could some of us) knowing they have a nice surface on this stretch of Norice surface are feeling free to accelerate to dangerous speeds to try and make the short light at Norice/Woodroffe. It is worrisome for many on Norice and we ask everyone in the Crestview Meadowlands community, that if you have ever even once partaken in this practice, to think of your neighbours and think if it was your street. The same goes for speeding for the light at Meadowlands and Viewmount, lets at least for us, not fall in this trap.
DO YOU HAVE A HOT ISSUE YOU'D LIKE US TO PUBLISH HERE, IF SO PLEASE E-MAIL US AT [email protected]
Greenspace Alliance
The Crestview Viewmount Community Association is a member in good standing and regular attendee of the Meetings of the Greenspace Alliance.
Federation of Ottawa Citizen’s Associations
The Crestview Viewmount Community Association was a member of the Federation of Ottawa Citizen’s Association for 2016 and has indicated to that organization it wishes to renew its membership for 2017. This is an association of Community Associations and other community bodies/interest groups that exists in Ottawa.