GCA Board Meeting Minutes

 

Tuesday, May 26, 7:00 p.m.
via videoconference

 

Present: Elizabeth Ballard, Jackie Bastianon, Bob Brocklebank, Anthony Carricato, Dan Chook Reid (proxy for Sam Harris), June Creelman, John Crump, Colette Downie, Sylvia Grandi, Rochelle Handelman, Jennifer Humphries, Carolyn Mackenzie, Carol Macleod, Brenda Perras, Steph Small, Laura Smith, Sue Stefko, Judy Wilson, Josh Van Noppen, Sarah Viehbeck, Caroline Warburton

 

Others: Jane Barton, Sébastien Brideau, Dylan D., Joan Freeman, Ross Guiller, Peter Hook, Danielle Kontolemos, Marcel Mathurin, Jonathan McLeod, Shawn Menard, Kerstin Meyer, Bob Monaghan, Mary Nicholson

 

Regrets: Sam Harris

 

WELCOME

Sarah welcomed everyone to the meeting and acknowledged that she was located on Algonquin territory.

 

AGENDA AND MINUTES

The agenda was approved with a few changes (i.e., Sarah Viehbeck chairing, the addition of a report from the Planning Committee) (Brenda / Dan). The minutes from the April meeting were approved without changes (Elizabeth / June).

 

REPORT FROM THE COUNCILLOR

Shawn reported on work he and his office have been doing recently:

  • Preparing for council’s debate on the urban boundary
  • Working with Councillor McKenney on the Hotels to Homes campaign
  • Consulting on the proposed development at 24-30 Pretoria
  • Liaising with the BIA and Bank St. businesses regarding Bank St. transportation

 

In response to a question regarding active transportation throughout the city, Shawn identified the City’s Transportation Committee meeting on June 3 as a good opportunity to engage. He confirmed that the goal of the Bank St. initiative would be to create space for physical distancing in the context of COVID-19. 

 

In response to a question about the Hotels to Homes campaign, Shawn said that they are currently working with hotels and the federal government to look at funding options.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS / MOTIONS / Q&A

 

Great Glebe Garage Sale

Colette reported that two Ottawa companies have approached her with ideas to raise money for the Ottawa Food Bank, in the absence of the garage sale this tear: Ruckify (renting out donated goods), and Give Shop (posting things to sell online).

 

In general, Board members were supportive of learning more. Some spoke to whether this should be a short-term replacement experiment as opposed to something more permanent. 

 

Colette will follow-up with the companies to ask if they would do short presentations for the Board at our next meeting.

 

Membership

Carol provided an update on the membership campaign, which has approximately 300 households right now. Steph will send out at least one more message to solicit memberships. Committee chairs were asked to be in touch with their own committee members as well. Carol also presented some options for moving forward, including an additional ad in the Glebe Report and postcards (about $2000).

 

Board members had several comments:

  • There was support for block reps emailing people directly. This would also be a way to check in with people about community issues. (Area reps would need to help with data entry; those present expressed a willingness to do this.) 
  • A fall canvas could take place to supplement the efforts made this spring.
  • Only 12 memberships have come through the Glebe Report, which is now online. It is not clear that another ad would be successful in getting more memberships.
  • Web ads, on the Glebe Report’s home page, may be more effective. It might be worth looking into the cost of these.
  • Postcards would help access those living in apartment buildings/condos. We could look into targeting Canada Post postcard deliveries to those homes that are hard to reach.
  • The Canada Post option is expensive considering that membership revenue is usually around $11,000.
  • We could reach out to the property management or boards of apartment buildings/condos.

 

Carol and the Membership Committee will continue to look at options and may present a financial motion with respect to a postcard campaign at a future meeting.

 

Planning

Peter Hook provided an update regarding the potential development on Pretoria (near Loblaws). Nearby residents are supportive of a compromise that includes a five-storey development.

 

Motion A – Pretoria development

Whereas, this re-zoning application does not take into consideration the character and building height of the homes immediately adjacent as well as those in the larger neighbourhood;

Whereas, this re-zoning application, if approved, would set a precedent for future development on residential streets in Glebe neighbourhoods and lead to overbuilding and overcrowding;

Whereas, a 5 storey building would likely still result in excess of 40 units, which represents significant intensification in relation to the 3 dwelling units that occupy the existing lots;

Whereas a building height of 5 storeys will transition more appropriately to established low-rise residential properties;

 

Be it resolved that the GCA strongly supports modifications to the proposal for 24-30 Pretoria Avenue to include: 

  • Reduction of building height to 5 storeys
  • Inclusion of enforceable provisions for planting and maintenance of rear yard trees and maintenance of existing mature front yard tree.

Be it also resolved that the GCA continue to work collaboratively with the City of Ottawa, the developer, and residents toward resolving any other outstanding issues relating to the proposal for 24-30 Pretoria.

 

Discussion: Peter presented the motion. There was some discussion about the zoning details in the area, the protection of trees, LEED standards, the nature of the units (e.g., affordable housing, units for families), and intensification in general. A nearby resident, speaking on behalf of several residents, spoke in favour of the motion. The Board thanked Carolyn, Peter and the Planning Committee, the Environment Committee, and residents, for their work on this.

 

Shawn added that he is raising three issues with staff and the developer: affordable housing, trees and greenspace, and the height of the building.

 

(Bob / John) Carried

 

OTHER UPDATES

 

Bank St. update

Sarah has heard concerns from the BIA regarding concerns from local businesses. Board members raised several points during a discussion:

  • There is support for the businesses on Bank St.
  • It seems like we can look at the specific concerns of the businesses and try to find solutions that would address these and provide more pedestrian space.
  • There has been confusion about whether this would be activity space or safety space.

 

Shawn provided background about the process so far, and identified that he and his office are in discussions with the BIA and businesses.

 

Sarah offered the engagement of the GCA in a conversation with the BIA, if that were helpful.

 

Cannabis store application – 852 Bank St.

Sarah shared that there is a new application for a cannabis store in the neighbourhood, and that we have received some comments from residents. Some concern was raised regarding the proximity to the application that was made for the Mrs. Tiggy Winkles location.

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Sarah provided updates on a few items:

  • The Follow Your Money report was released yesterday.
  • The survey on the Mutchmor Rink has received a few hundred responses.

 

She also provided some reflections on trade-offs being seen in debates in our city these days (such as intensification/sprawl).

 

With respect to the survey, Dan added that the Health, Housing and Social Services and Education committees have been working with Mutchmor school, GNAG and the City on this. It closes at the end of May. Please fill it out if you haven’t done so already.

 

COMMENTS / ISSUES FROM COMMUNITY

N/A

 

OTHER BUSINESS

N/A

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm. (John / Elizabeth)