KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North Vol.

7, Issue 3 - March, 2013 SAVE THE DATE

for an informal chat with Marianne at Tim Hortons at Carling Ave & March Road on Saturday, April 6, 9:30 a.m. 11 a.m. Drop by, get yourself a coffee, and chat with me about our community and what youd like to see here in the future. Your ideas are always welcome.

WARD COUNCIL FIND OUT WHATS HAPPENING IN KANATA NORTH Monday, March 25, 7 p.m., Program Room, Kanata Seniors Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr.
This month there will be a discussion on what should be included in the Citys Official Plan to ensure that the identity of each of our communities is protected. The initial report on what is going into the Plan is being discussed at the Planning Committee the next day, so this is a timely discussion. You will also hear about the Richcraft Recreation Centre Kanata. As well as an update on the building program, there will be information on how the public can be involved in both program selection and contributing to the funding needed for the extras provided. Find out how to participate in putting items into a time capsule that will be opened in 50 years and how to have your family name on a paver leading to the front door. Ill have the site plan for the Outlet Mall, where 95 specialty stores are planned, and other information on development that is ongoing from the blasting along Kanata Ave., to servicing in the Carp Valley, to the status of 2 The Parkway and 1131 Teron Road. Also hear a report from Ottawa Police, new public school plans, a Kanata North Community Recognition Award event, Cleaning the Capital in 2013, the final Town Centre Zoning, planning the expansion lands on March Road and whats happening in the community. All are welcome to attend, raise issues, ask questions and make suggestions.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE OR HAPPEN IN KANATA NORTHS BUSINESS PARK? Deadline - March 29
Businesses, employees and local residents can send in their ideas and suggestions for improvements in the Business Area. Just go to KNBIA to vote, comment or share your response to this question What ideas do you have to improve the future of the Kanata North business area? These ideas will help the new Business Improvement Area support our area businesses.

KANATA NORTH COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARDS DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE IN KANATA NORTH WHOS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY?
Nominate them for a community award, in appreciation of their contributions. Awards will be given for a Youth Citizen of the Year (under 20), a Senior Citizen of the Year (65 or older), a Citizen of the Year (adults) and Business of the Year. Nomination forms are on my website, and are available at my Ward Office or the Library depot in the Beaverbrook Mall. Please include as much detail as possible in your nomination.

ZONING FOR THE TOWN CENTRE LANDS along Campeau Drive is on the agenda of the Planning Committee on Tuesday, March 26.
This zoning has been thoroughly discussed by many community members and changes have been made to address the communitys concerns. I hope to resolve some outstanding issues so that any development on this site will proceed as discussed. I should have more information at the upcoming Ward Council meeting.

OUTLET MALL SITE PLAN

Zoning for the outlet mall was approved last month and I have now received the detailed site plan drawings which show the details for the development. These will be discussed at the Ward Council meeting. The plan shows preservation of the natural environment along the Creek, extensive landscaping, a roundabout on Huntmar and more.

THE OFFICIAL PLAN AND SATELLITE TOWNS

Kanata is a satellite town, not a suburb. Satellite towns are full communities with a town centre, employment, retail services, community services, transit and various types of residential development and Kanata has all of that. As the Official Plan (OP) is currently being reviewed and discussed, it is important to have policies that recognize the character of each of the satellite towns (Kanata, Stittsville, Barrhaven and Orleans). It is essential that the OP contain policies that protect the integrity of the type of communities found in each town. Intensification needs to happen. It can be achieved in the town centres and within communities by only approving buildings that fit into each community (with lower elevations within residential areas). On March 26, Planning Committee will consider a report about the 2013 Official Plan Review, which will provide an update and address some of the challenges and benefits of urban intensification,

including within Kanata. To ensure our voice is part of the discussion, I have added it to Mondays Ward Council meeting for discussion.

WHAT WILL 2063 BE LIKE? BUY A TIME CAPSULE AND YOU OR YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL SEE THE DIFFERENCE FROM TODAY WHEN OUR TIME CAPSULES ARE OPENED THAT YEAR.
We are awaiting delivery of 1,700 bamboo tubes that, for $20 towards the fundraising goal for the Richcraft Recreation Complex Kanata, you can fill with family mementos. These time capsules will then be placed into the concrete vault in the floor of the Complex, sealed, and opened in 50 years. For details of times and locations to bring your items and fill your time capsule, go to www. Richcraftcomplex.ca and fill in the Join Our Mailing List on the front page. You will then be informed of the time and location to fill your capsule, including updates about the complex.

WEST DISTRICT LIBRARY (former Beaverbrook Branch)

The contract has been awarded and the Building Permit has just been issued, so construction will be underway within days. During the library closure, you can pick up materials youve ordered, return them, read local papers and select materials and books from a limited collection at the depot in the Beaverbrook Mall, 2 Beaverbrook Road. Its a busy place!

EMERALD ASH BORER PANEL DISCUSSION WILL BE HELD MARCH 27, 7-9 P.M. HALL D, MLACAK CENTRE, 2500 CAMPEAU DR.
With the arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer, almost a third of Ottawa's tree canopy, including many in Kanata, is in jeopardy. How can we protect the ash trees in our community? What are our options for ensuring a healthy canopy in the future? Come to hear the facts and participate in a discussion about the trees in your community. The panel will include City Forestry Staff, the Policy Co-ordinator for Ecology Ottawa and the V.P. of the Briarbrook/Morgans Grant Community Association. This information is beneficial for residents in any area of Ottawa, so please invite your friends and family from other locations to come.

MARCH 18 MEETING ON BLANDING TURTLE AND DRAINAGE STUDY

A report on the status of the Blanding Turtles was presented by City Staff outlining the risk and conservation needs assessment. (This study was prepared by Dillon Consulting, and peer-reviewed by

two experts.) The Needs Assessment concluded that a variety of historic, current and future stressors have placed the South March Highlands population at substantial risk of decline and local extinction Several specific measures need to be implemented to improve the viability of the population. You can view a copy of the presentation slides on my website at www.mariannewilkinson.com. The Shirleys Brook and Watts Creek Stormwater Management Study-Phase 2 Draft Report was presented by City Staff and AECOM Consulting. It updates an earlier study done 25 years ago for developing the Kanata Lakes area, which drains through Shirleys Brook and Watts Creek. More is known now about the impact on watercourses resulting from development, such as increased flooding, erosion and damage to natural habitat. In addition, the Kizell wetland has been designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland which provides habitat for the Blanding Turtle. The City undertook this study to provide an updated analysis and understanding of the existing conditions in the two subwatersheds. This analysis has identified capacity constraints in the existing Beaver Pond storm water pond. These issues need to be resolved by KNL in their drainage and development phases. The Phase 2 study will provide a summary of the required approvals and additional technical studies for storm water management alternatives that can be considered for the remaining KNL development phases. You can find a copy of this presentation on my website.

PLAN TO JOIN a Native and Invasive Flora in Trillium Woods Walk on Saturday, April 27
Meet Sarah Dehler and Holly Bickerton at 9:30 am at the intersection of Klondike Road and Second Line Road to learn about this wonderful conservation forest and how you can support them in keeping invasive plants from taking over.

EASTER SCHEDULE CHANGES AND WALK OF THE CROSS

Schedules for City facilities and OC buses are modified during the Easter weekend. Check the City and OC websites for any change that may affect you. One event that I participate in each year is the Walk of the Cross. Started by the Interfaith Council more than 30 years ago, the walk goes through parts of the community each year, with participants carrying the large (and very heavy) cross. This year it will start at St. Pauls Anglican Church, 20 Young Road, at noon on Friday, March 29.

APRIL IS DAFFODIL MONTH

You can be a Daffodil Ambassador for the Canadian Cancer Society the weekend of April 5, 6, 7. Go to www.myccsschedule.ca to sign up.

20 YEARS OF SPRING CLEANING THE CAPITAL BEGINS APRIL 14TH

Play your part in keeping our communities clear of litter and debris. Early bird registration (March 15 to April 14) is open now for Spring Cleaning the Capital. Volunteers who register their cleanup project during this period have a chance to win one of the many early bird prizes donated by sponsors. Regular registration ends May 15th. Just choose a clean up location, such as a park, school or pathway in your area and register at this direct link at ottawa.ca. When you are finished, submit your online cleanup report by May 31 to be eligible for more prizes. You can organize your family, neighbours, church group, community association, etc. to work together to keep our neighbourhoods clean and beautiful. This is a great way for high school students to earn their community volunteer hours. Clean up kits are available on request when you register.

FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES (FCM) MEETINGS

I recently attended FCM Committee Meetings in Prince George, BC. At these meetings communities from across Canada address issues affecting all of us, particularly the need for ongoing funds to cover infrastructure deficiencies, and the need to have gas tax funds provided to municipalities (used by Ottawa for Transit Projects) indexed to inflation. This fund has been the same since its inception, so that the buying power is continually reducing. We also discussed the Trade Agreement with Europe and its impact on municipalities, international work funded by CIDA to help municipalities in a number of countries in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, and many other issues where working together leads to improvements in municipal operations.

SPRING TIME WARNING

Now the days are longer and the weather is milder, snow and ice are melting and everyone is enjoying being outdoors. At this time of year, children and teens love to explore their surroundings and this often involves investigating creeks and ponds. Remember to talk to your children about safety around bodies of water at this time of year. Ensure that your children keep away from the water edge and off the remaining ice. Despite our recent snow, spring is coming with higher water levels and faster moving streams that can create quite a hazard.

EPIC WALK
On Saturday, June 1, The Epic Walk in support of womens cancers is being held in Ottawa. The proceeds will be directed to the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation where the west end cancer clinic is located. I am a member of the organizing team and am looking for some local residents to participate in this event. Please contact me if you can help with the organization and particularly if you can walk to support this important event.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Monday, March 25, 7-9 p.m., Program Room, Kanata Seniors Centre: Ward Council Wednesday, Wednesday, March 27, 7 9 p.m., Mlacak Centre, Hall D: Ash Tree Panel Discussion Friday, Friday, March 29: Deadline for online inputs on how to improve the Kanata North Business Area; go to KNBIA Saturday, April 6, 9:30 11:00 a.m., Tim Hortons on March Road: Informal chat with Marianne Wednesday, April 10, 7 9 p.m., Mlacak Centre: Session on improving the Citys public consultation processes; register at ottawa.ca or by calling 311 or visiting a Client Service Centre Saturday, April 27, 9:30 a.m.: Native and Invasive Flora in Trillium Woods Walk, meet at intersection of Klondike Road and Second Line Road Tuesday, April 9, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Dick Brule Community Centre, 170 Castlefrank Rd.: Lions Welcome Night - The Kanata Hazeldean Lions invite you to come and see what Lions do for our community - and have some fun! Come and meet us and enjoy some refreshments. For more information, call 613 986 3609