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THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012
www.YourOttawaRegion.com
Group looks to save Byron Park from light rail Report reveals top west corridor options
A Fisher Heights resident has won an award for his work on cycling advocacy in Ottawa. – Page 3
CITY HALL SPECIAL REPORT
When it comes to school fundraising, the playing field is far from level. A Metroland special report looks at the cash flow divide at Ontario schools. – Page 9
COMMUNITY
Laura Mueller
laura.mueller@metroland.com
EMC news - As the city narrows down routes for a western extension of the future light-rail transit line, a new group of residents who want to protect Byron Park is forming. The Friends of Byron Park held their first meeting coincidently the same day the city released an interim report on preferred route for LRT between Tunney’s Pasture westward to Lincoln Fields and continuing on to Baseline Station. The report indicates that city staff have narrowed the top options down to four – a list that does not include the contentious (and popular among many Westboro-area residents) Carling Avenue route. The preferred options were narrowed down from 15 to the following four: • Richmond Road/Byron Avenue via Churchill Avenue • Ottawa River Parkway • Richmond/Byron via Ottawa River Parkway • Richmond/Byron via Rochester Field The 15 options examined
for a rapid LRT corridor range in cost from $562 million to $2.5 billion and the four preferred options were the most financially feasible of the bunch, according to a city report. The emphasis on the Richmond/Byron corridor – a former tramway that was converted into a linear park – troubled Trevor Jones, who called the first meeting of the Friends of Byron Park on May 30. Around 50 people came to the meeting, both those opposed to light rail on Byron/ Richmond, as well as a contingent who support that option, Jones said. Part of the problem is that it is unclear where people in McKellar Park, Westboro and Westboro Beach stand on the issue. Jones is a board member of the McKellar Park Community Association, which has already come out in support of the Byron/Richmond options. So for people like Jones who want to see the boulevard remain a park, creating a separate group is the best way to make their voices heard, Jones said. See FRIENDS, page 12
Kristy Strauss
Back on track
Hintonburg resident and triathlete Naomi Gilker took the opportunity to return to action in an activity she loves – running – and contribute to a cause that’s close to her heart when she participated in the Brain Tumour Foundation’s Spring Sprint event. To read the full story, turn to page 15.
Tega reduces height of proposed condo tower Kristy Strauss
kristy.strauss@metroland.com
Teens living in Britannia Woods were honoured recently for dedicaiton to their community. – Page 17
EMC news - Following a proposal by Tega Homes to build a 36-storey tower in the heart of Hintonburg last summer, the developer has come back to the community with a revised proposal featuring a building half the height of the original. Residents, however, still aren’t convinced the develop-
ment would be good for the community. “They’re proposing to put this 18-storey tower on a block that’s next to single family homes, next to Parkdale Park,” said Jeff Leiper, president of the Hintonburg Community Association. “We’re deeply disappointed.” Leiper said Tega Homes met with the community on May 1 and presented a rough
plan that included an 18-storey tower on the Hamilton Avenue frontage of a site bounded by Spencer and Armstrong streets and Parkdale and Hamilton avenues. The proposal also featured an eight-storey tower on the Parkdale Avenue side. The whole block, except for the Carleton Tavern, is to be included in the development. Leiper said the community
association has concerns with the visual impact of the building from Parkdale, and has questions over the building’s “architectural excellence.” “There’s nothing about this proposal that gives the community any benefit that would justify going higher than what the CDP proposes,” said Leiper, referring to the neighbourhood’s community design plan that was passed
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last year. The Wellington West Community Design Plan was adopted last spring and includes a six-storey height limit along the community’s main street. Sites that aren’t subject to the six-storey rule include 345 Carleton Ave., 1451 Wellington St. and 369 Island Park Dr. These sites are designated See MORE, page 2
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