Action Sandy Hill notebook
Notes from the community association meeting September 30
Jan Finlay
The Swiss Hotel is now a corporate sponsor of Action Sandy Hill.
Bylaw: Joel Mader, Director, has resigned from the ASH board. Larry Newman has agreed to resume responsibility for overfsight of ASH bylaws. He is looking for volunteers to join his committee to help with three files: monitoring front yard parking, graffiti, and garbage enclosures. If anyone is interested in helping Larry monitor these things in the community, he can be reached via info@ash-acs.ca.
City bylaw officer Tyler Patterson reported on the top 14 problematic properties on his list. Those that missed their compliance dates had their non-compliance issues contracted out to a third party to be dealt with (grass cutting for example). The third party charges will be sent to the property owners.
Social media outreach: Jen Cox has agreed to be responsible for ASH’s outreach. She will keep the FaceBook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts up to date.
R-4 Zoning Review: ASH submitted a report to the City regarding the R-4 review and has had a response from Tim Moerman of the Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development department. Public consultation on the study will be coming shortly.
Rental Accommodation Housing Study: ASH’s comments on the City’s Housing Options paper has been posted on the ASH website. The original survey is there as well. City staff report will be on the City website ottawa.ca/en/city hall/public engagement/projects/rental accommodations study and will go to Community and Social Services Committee.
Environment: ASH’s input into Ottawa’s Tree Bylaw Review has been posted on the ASH website.
The event team was led by Mélanie Bellefeuille from the University and Paula Tchen from ASH. They raised more than $200 in donations for St Joe’s Supper Table.
Photo Bob Forbes
Activities: The uOttawa/ASH walk-about went well in spite of the wet weather.
Garage sale: Cathy Major reported that the Sandy Hill Garage Sale was successful. There were 35 vendors. The new map posted on the ASH website showing the location of the vendors was very helpful.
Youth Mentoring committee: The committee is working on their Feb. 9 mentoring event for interested local youth. They are researching what these neighbours feel they need help with: job hunting, tutoring, résumé writing to name a few. When research is complete they will be looking for community volunteers to fill these priority needs.
Traffic and buses: New bus schedules will be set as of Oct. 6. Watch for new traffic rules for Laurier and Waller, and Nicholas and Laurier. The east-bound entrance to the Queensway off Lees should be open to regular traffic mid-October.
Ottawa Public Library: Reminder that design consultations are taking place. Councillor Fleury urges Sandy Hill residents to take part: https://ottawacentrallibrary.ca/get-involved.
Ottawa 2020 Budget consultations: The Rideau-Vanier Ward specific event will take place October 16. On November 5 at 5 p.m. at City Hall (Jean Pigott) there will be a public consultation on Transit, Social Services and Housing.
Community safety: Councillor Fleury is planning to hold a follow-up meeting (see article, page 3). Representatives from Ottawa Public Health, Public Health Prevention, Social Services, and the Attorney General’s Office will be invited to answer questions that were raised at the first meeting. ASH’s report on the first meeting can be found on the ASH website.