WCA has a new website

Check it out at www.westborovillage.ca - and don't forget to update your bookmarks.

Thank you!

Working towards a greener Westboro

The Green Partnership Program has funds available for local community associations, service clubs, non-profit groups, local Business Improvement Agencies, and community members to undertake environmental enhancement or beautification projects on public properties. The program supports a broad range of clean and green environmentally focused projects such as: establishing wildflower meadows, butterfly habitats, restoration of natural habitat, installation of educational signs, designing and planting a floral display or community garden, schoolyard greening, and more! Deadline to apply for program funding is April 15, 2008.

The WCA is applying for this funding. What we'd like to know is this: what area(s) of Westboro do you think could use some "greening" ? Please post your ideas in the comments below. Thank you!

update on Golden closure

As a follow-up to our December letter regarding the possible closure of Golden Avenue between Richmond and Byron, I and WCA vice-chair Cherolyn Knapp recently met with Councillor Leadman to clarify the status of this proposal.

We are able to confirm that:

• Bourk Family Developments (owners of Westboro Station) do not intend to proceed with their application to close the street at this time.
• No other closure applications for Golden Avenue are currently on the table or in the pipeline.
• In the near future the Councillor intends to use funds from her office to sponsor an analysis of the transportation impacts of any future closing. This study will take into account the issues and recommendations already identified in the Westboro/Highland/McKellar Park Area Traffic Management Study which is nearing completion.

Wallace Beaton
WCA Chair

Committee of Adjustment Mar 5, 2008

There are two applications for minor variances being heard by the Committee of Adjustment on March 5th. One is for 348 Tweedsmuir Ave for a reduced side yard and the other is for 487 Evered for a reduced front yard. If you have objections or concerns about either of these please contact us before Mar 5th.

Gary Ludington

Symposium on the Ottawa Official Plan

How should the City balance intensification with the Community’s vision?
How should the City ensure they respect those responsibilities?

Date: Saturday March 1st
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Auditorium of Nepean High school, 574 Broadview Ave

Parking is limited. Please consider ridesharing, walking, or taking public transit.

The City of Ottawa will be reviewing the Official Plan in the year to come (Official Plan, Transportation Master Plan, Infrastructure Master Plan, Community Design Plans).

The white papers are on the review are available at: http://ottawa.ca/residents/public_consult/beyond_2020/index_en.html

Design Lansdowne

The City of Ottawa has launched Design Lansdowne, a design competition that will create a bold, new vision for the 40-acre site adjacent to the historic Rideau Canal. This competition will tap into the insights of design professionals to revitalize Lansdowne Park in a way that maximizes the public benefit in the most economically feasible manner. The entire process will include extensive public consultation.

Read more about it - and how you can be involved - on the City of Ottawa website.

The City of Ottawa 2008 Planning Primer Program

The City of Ottawa Planning, Transit and the Environment Department is offering a Planning Primer Program to help residents become more aware of, and more involved in, the land-use planning process.

More information is available on the City of Ottawa website.