GCA pushes for a livable community

Community Transportation Study

Did you attend the GCA’s consultation open house on June 7 for our Active Transportation Study? If not, there will be other opportunities to comment on the project looking at how we walk, cycle or otherwise move around the neighbourhood without using a motorized vehicle. “Active transportation” is an important component of a livable city. If you have ideas, check out the survey at Glebeca.ca – it’s open until June 16.

Street Trees are Infrastructure

The Glebe is one of Ottawa’s oldest communities, and many trees have aged along with our neighbourhood. Thirty years ago, our street had a good share of large trees. Since then, the infamous ice storm, warmer winters that allow insect pests to thrive, last spring’s derecho and this winter’s wind and ice storm have taken their toll. Not to mention the chainsaws that came out when the road was rebuilt.

In his campaign for mayor, Mark Sutcliffe promised to double the city’s annual tree planting goal to about 250,000 a year – 148,000 street trees and another 50,000 in parks. The 40-per-cent target is in the city’s New Official Plan and climate change master plan. Although there is no plan yet to indicate how it will be achieved, it’s a good goal and important as we try to cope with a rapidly changing climate.

To this end, the Glebe Community Association has a suggestion. At our May meeting, we passed a motion calling on the city to adopt a proactive tree-planting strategy where City of Ottawa staff automatically plant street trees on the city-owned frontage of private properties to achieve the 40-percent tree canopy coverage necessary to mitigate the impacts of climate change in Ottawa neighbourhoods.

The motion refers to the city-owned part of front lawns. This is where the city infrastructure goes – lamp posts, hydro poles, fire hydrants, traffic signs, etc. Trees are infrastructure and, like other infrastructure that is damaged or destroyed, the city needs to replace it.

This approach would eliminate the requirement for property owners to request replacement trees. Many people assume the city does it automatically – it doesn’t.

What Makes a Liveable City?

Trees, green space, accessible amenities, good roads and efficient public transportation – these are all important elements of a liveable city. Another important component is openness, transparency and due democratic process. When it comes to democratic process, the City of Ottawa often falls short.

Which brings us to Lansdowne 2.0. Again.

The GCA has been working with the City of Ottawa, the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group and the Glebe BIA for many years to make sure Lansdowne Park is a vibrant site that will benefit both our community and residents across the city. The effects and costs of the proposed Lansdowne 2.0 is not “just” a central Ottawa issue.

The proposal on the table has city-wide implications – that’s why it was on the agenda of the Federation of Community Associations Annual General Meeting in May.

The GCA is on the record as being in favour of the city’s objectives for intensification, which include increased density in the Glebe and the downtown core. We have called for the City to build deeply affordable housing, and the Lansdowne redevelopment plans provide an opportunity to ensure additional units are built.

Nevertheless, the GCA is concerned about overdevelopment, the loss of accessible green/park space and the impact on public space of the proposed redevelopment – which includes apartment towers of 40 storeys or more.

The main question: Is this a good deal for taxpayers? Has due diligence been done? Is there a proper financial analysis, or are taxpayers massively subsidizing a private venture?

An example is the roughly $200-million proposal to build a new arena/ performance centre. Is this a good investment given all the buzz about potential new buyers for the Senators hockey team and discussion about whether a new arena will be built on LeBreton Flats or some other location closer to the LRT? Wouldn’t it be a good idea to slow down the decision-making process on Lansdowne until we know for sure if a new arena is in the cards?

These considerations were part of a motion passed by the GCA at its last meeting that calls on the City to develop alternative concepts for the revitalization of Lansdowne. Specifically, it requests:

• No decisions on a potential Lansdowne redevelopment plan to be taken by Council until decisions are taken regarding a new Sens arena;

• The City to develop and commit funding to a transportation plan to get visitors and new residents to and from Lansdowne Park in keeping with whatever decisions are made to redevelop or enhance the site;

• The City to provide detailed financial analysis for any alternative redevelopment plans; and

• The City not to schedule any decisions on such an important file during the summer months when it is clear to all that public engagement is compromised. Ramming through a decision during the summer months is something the old City Council might have tried. We expect more from the current Council. The GCA has produced a graphic on the proposed financial scheme for Lansdowne 2.0. Just scan the QR code on this page to follow the money.

Upcoming meetings

Please join us for the GCA’s Annual General Meeting at the Glebe Community Centre, Tuesday June 13, 7–9 p.m. After a short business agenda, there will be time to socialize with your neighbours. The next GCA board meeting will be held online Tuesday, June 27, at 7 p.m.