Please be advised that the contact email for the CHNA is now CHNA4U@gmail.com
If you have questions, comments or concerns, please use this email to get in touch.
Friday, July 24, 2009
CHNA PUBLIC MEETING DATE
Please be advised that there will be a public meeting taking place on Tuesday, August 11th at 7:30 pm.
The meeting will take place in the lecture theatre of the Civic Hospital - on the second floor through the main entrance. There is an elevator for those who may require assistance.
Despite a busy agenda, we are hopeful that Christine Leadman will be able to attend the meeting, and in addition to the agenda, would make opening comments at the beginning of the meeting.
The agenda is referenced in a previous bulleting but will be as follows:
1. Discussion on speed and traffic issues - 20 minutes
2. Presentation from Kathryn Williams on proposal for a monument at the Sherwood, Fairmont, Kenilworth "5 corners" - 5 minutes
3. Update on current Civic Hospital planning - 5 minutes
4. Presentation from Hobin Design on 53 Young Street Development (30 Minutes)
5. Presentation from the developer of the current Civic Hospital Parking Lot at Carling and Champagne Avenue (30 Minutes)
The meeting will end at 9 pm.
The meeting will take place in the lecture theatre of the Civic Hospital - on the second floor through the main entrance. There is an elevator for those who may require assistance.
Despite a busy agenda, we are hopeful that Christine Leadman will be able to attend the meeting, and in addition to the agenda, would make opening comments at the beginning of the meeting.
The agenda is referenced in a previous bulleting but will be as follows:
1. Discussion on speed and traffic issues - 20 minutes
2. Presentation from Kathryn Williams on proposal for a monument at the Sherwood, Fairmont, Kenilworth "5 corners" - 5 minutes
3. Update on current Civic Hospital planning - 5 minutes
4. Presentation from Hobin Design on 53 Young Street Development (30 Minutes)
5. Presentation from the developer of the current Civic Hospital Parking Lot at Carling and Champagne Avenue (30 Minutes)
The meeting will end at 9 pm.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
EXECUTIVE MEETING UPDATE - PUBLIC MEETING AUGUST 11th (TENT)
The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association met Thursday evening to review a number of issues. The following is a summary of these issues:
1. Public Meeting August 11th (location TBD) - Given a number of issues as listed below, including two significant development files, we will be holding a public meeting on August 11th. While recognizing it is summer and some people will be holidays, this will hopefully provide an opportunity to solidify a community voice on these current files. We have made a request to use the lecture hall at the Civic Hospital, and will should know Monday as to availability. A public notice will also be posted. We will plan to commence at 7:30 pm.
2. Sherwood Drive & Broader Neighbourhood Traffic Issues - We have received a number of comments and concerns regarding the speed of traffic through the neighbourhood, both east of Parkdale, and in the block between Parkdale and Holland Avenues. In the past few months, two dogs have been killed when struck by cars, and the grave concern is that the next incident may involve a child or a senior. While drivers were not necessarily to blame in both instances, the ability of a driver to react at 40 km/h rather than 70 km/h is substantially different.
A number of other areas and neighbourhoods throughout the City of Ottawa have been able to institute traffic calming measures, including signage and speed bumps. While the issue of speed bumps was not raised, there was consensus that a recommendation be made to reduce the speed of side streets to 40 km/h, and implement a number of "Children at Play" signs. The construction of the new seniors facility on Carling Avenue also further increases the need for appropriate stop signs and signage throughout the neighbourhood.
We had a lengthy discussion to ensure that traffic calming measures were not implemented on one particular street that would then have an impact on other surrounding streets. Instead, the objective was to raise the issue of an overall neighbourhood plan. We are aware that the City wants to keep traffic flowing between Parkdale and Holland and through to Carling Avenue on Sherwood and Kenilworth. The objective is to get people to slow down.
We would allot time to have this issue discussed at the Public Meeting.
3. 53 Young Street - We have received a request from a developer to review the proposal to build an 18-unit townhome structure at 53 Young Street - currently a vacant lot just south of the Queensway. We will be providing 30 minutes for a presentation and Q&A on this proposal.
4. Champagne Avenue Property Development - We had not been made aware of this development, rather the plans were made public by the developer. This site runs just west of the O-Train tracks south of Carling and East of Champagne, at the eastern boundary of the Neighbourhood. A number of residents in the area have asked that we review this project as well. Councillor Leadman has asked the developer to appear at the Public Meeting on the 11th, and we will be providing 30 minutes for this to take place. Given the time available, we will be asking that the developers of both projects be available for questions prior to the meeting if required.
5. "5 Corners" monument proposal - For the past year, Kathryn Williams and a number of other residents have been leading efforts to better utilize the triangle of land that stands at the "5 corners" intesection of Kenilworth, Sherwood and Fairmont. She has some great ideas, including the idea of a structure to recognize the founding residents of the community. Kathryn has offered to speak to these ideas at the public meeting.
6. Civic Hospital Parks and Recreation Committee - Amanda Farris provided an update from the most recent Civic Hospital Parks and Recreation Committee. It is important to note that the CHPRC operates as a separate entity from the Neighbourhood Association, but yet we do work in parallel. Sylvain de Margarie and this organization have been doing great work on a number of files, notably the Reid Farmhouse project. While the following comment is a simplistic suggestion of how both groups function, it may be easier to view the CHPRC as having a social/community programming mandate, and the CHNA as having an advocacy mandate. Amanda is serving as the communications link between both organizations, but again, do want to reinforce that we are working in concert.
7. Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus Update - Kate Harrigan informed the Committee that we were made aware that the Ottawa Hospital has made an application to the LHIN to fund their long-term strategic plan study. This is an expected move, and the next step towards any future consultation and development. There is otherwise no immediate issues related to the plans for the Civic Campus. Kate and Keith Hobbs continue to serve on the Community Access Committee, and track this project closely.
1. Public Meeting August 11th (location TBD) - Given a number of issues as listed below, including two significant development files, we will be holding a public meeting on August 11th. While recognizing it is summer and some people will be holidays, this will hopefully provide an opportunity to solidify a community voice on these current files. We have made a request to use the lecture hall at the Civic Hospital, and will should know Monday as to availability. A public notice will also be posted. We will plan to commence at 7:30 pm.
2. Sherwood Drive & Broader Neighbourhood Traffic Issues - We have received a number of comments and concerns regarding the speed of traffic through the neighbourhood, both east of Parkdale, and in the block between Parkdale and Holland Avenues. In the past few months, two dogs have been killed when struck by cars, and the grave concern is that the next incident may involve a child or a senior. While drivers were not necessarily to blame in both instances, the ability of a driver to react at 40 km/h rather than 70 km/h is substantially different.
A number of other areas and neighbourhoods throughout the City of Ottawa have been able to institute traffic calming measures, including signage and speed bumps. While the issue of speed bumps was not raised, there was consensus that a recommendation be made to reduce the speed of side streets to 40 km/h, and implement a number of "Children at Play" signs. The construction of the new seniors facility on Carling Avenue also further increases the need for appropriate stop signs and signage throughout the neighbourhood.
We had a lengthy discussion to ensure that traffic calming measures were not implemented on one particular street that would then have an impact on other surrounding streets. Instead, the objective was to raise the issue of an overall neighbourhood plan. We are aware that the City wants to keep traffic flowing between Parkdale and Holland and through to Carling Avenue on Sherwood and Kenilworth. The objective is to get people to slow down.
We would allot time to have this issue discussed at the Public Meeting.
3. 53 Young Street - We have received a request from a developer to review the proposal to build an 18-unit townhome structure at 53 Young Street - currently a vacant lot just south of the Queensway. We will be providing 30 minutes for a presentation and Q&A on this proposal.
4. Champagne Avenue Property Development - We had not been made aware of this development, rather the plans were made public by the developer. This site runs just west of the O-Train tracks south of Carling and East of Champagne, at the eastern boundary of the Neighbourhood. A number of residents in the area have asked that we review this project as well. Councillor Leadman has asked the developer to appear at the Public Meeting on the 11th, and we will be providing 30 minutes for this to take place. Given the time available, we will be asking that the developers of both projects be available for questions prior to the meeting if required.
5. "5 Corners" monument proposal - For the past year, Kathryn Williams and a number of other residents have been leading efforts to better utilize the triangle of land that stands at the "5 corners" intesection of Kenilworth, Sherwood and Fairmont. She has some great ideas, including the idea of a structure to recognize the founding residents of the community. Kathryn has offered to speak to these ideas at the public meeting.
6. Civic Hospital Parks and Recreation Committee - Amanda Farris provided an update from the most recent Civic Hospital Parks and Recreation Committee. It is important to note that the CHPRC operates as a separate entity from the Neighbourhood Association, but yet we do work in parallel. Sylvain de Margarie and this organization have been doing great work on a number of files, notably the Reid Farmhouse project. While the following comment is a simplistic suggestion of how both groups function, it may be easier to view the CHPRC as having a social/community programming mandate, and the CHNA as having an advocacy mandate. Amanda is serving as the communications link between both organizations, but again, do want to reinforce that we are working in concert.
7. Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus Update - Kate Harrigan informed the Committee that we were made aware that the Ottawa Hospital has made an application to the LHIN to fund their long-term strategic plan study. This is an expected move, and the next step towards any future consultation and development. There is otherwise no immediate issues related to the plans for the Civic Campus. Kate and Keith Hobbs continue to serve on the Community Access Committee, and track this project closely.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Update and Comment on Civic Hospital Plans
As you may have read in this morning's Ottawa Citizen, in an editorial board meeting yesterday, Dr. Jack Kitts expressed his views on a preferred location for the new "Civic" campus - suggesting that remaining on the Carling corridor would be his choice.
You can find the article online here at the tail end of this story detailing Kitts' suggestion that we need more nursing home beds:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Health/Ontario+needs+more+nursing+homes+Kitts/1470950/story.html
You can also get more detail and commentary on Ken Gray's "Bulldog" blog here:
http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/bulldog/archive/2009/04/06/kitts-backs-carling-avenue-as-new-site-for-civic-campus.aspx
Here's what we've been doing as a Neighbourhood Association:
Before making a specific note on Dr. Kitts' comments, you should be aware of what we've been up to as an association.
Two weeks ago, the CHNA Civic Campus Plan Working Group met with The Ottawa Hospital's VP of Public Affairs, Nicolas Ruszkowski. Keith Hobbs, Amanda Farris, Kate Harrigan and myself participated in this meeting.
The purpose of this session was to 1) get an update from TOH on their recent meetings with Ministry of Health and other officials at Queen's Park with regards to the expansion planning process; 2) understand anticipated timelines as the planning cycle moves forward and where we and other neighbourhood associations will be engaged in the process; and 3) discuss other pressing TOH issues - notably ALC (alternative levels of care) for elderly patients and the strain this is putting on current hospital resources.
The tone of the meeting was consultative, and collectively, we felt TOH is committed to working with community associations throughout the planning process to get this project "right". We are off to a positive start, and want to maintain this positive tone and approach.
That being said, there is no intent to soft-pedal our views, or stop advocating for outcomes that we believe reflect the community as a whole. It has been made clear to TOH by the Ministry of Health, and political leaders, that community consultation will be a critical component of this project moving forward. We will continue to ensure this is upheld.
There were a number of takeaways that came out of this discussion:
1. Legacy of the Site - It was made clear that we believe some sort of health care facility should remain at the current Civic site. What shape or form this takes remains to be debated, and whether or not this remains the respsibility of TOH or part of a larger Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) healthcare delivery model, is for future discussion;
2. Grant Approval - In terms of timeline for the project, it is important to note that we are still at early stages. TOH has yet to receive a grant to start the formal planning process - although I do believe they are hoping to initiate that sometime in the next few months. Still, even once funding is in place, the process will still take 18-24 months before a formal request goes forward to the LHIN and Ministry of Health as the next step. We are still early days into a process that could take a decade.
3. Next Steps in Community Consultation - We need to continue to expand the reach of this consultative effort, including engaging our partner community associations, and reaching out to the LHIN and political leaders. We have not yet pinned down a date for a next public meeting, but would suggest we do something in May.
Comment on Dr. Kitts' views:
Which leads us back to Dr. Jack Kitts' comments yesterday regarding his preference to have the new hospital site built in the same general area as the Civic Campus - or rather, across the street on Experimental Farm property.
The following comments reflect my personal opinion, not specifically those of the CHNA. Please recognize that your input and thinking is very much appreciated and welcome in the "Comments" section below.
Jack Kitts' candour in making known his views known isn't a bad thing. One of the objectives that many of us would like to see throughout this proceses is openness and transparency from the Ottawa Hospital, and we have that. I do not believe he was trying to be strategic or political in his comments.
I also remain hopeful that the senior management team at the Hospital are committed to getting the plan for the new hospital right -which means meeting not only the objectives of the hospital and their internal stakeholders, but the community as a whole. We’ve already had one open meeting with the VP Planning – Cameron Love, and are in regular contact with Nicolas Ruszkowski as referenced above.
My belief to date is that the various community and residents groups showing an interest in this project, are being given some credit and clout by the hospital executive, and that the TOH end objectives can be met by being transparent, open and consultative throughout the length of this process. I could be cynical and suggest they are only doing what they are mandated to do, but let's take our early progress as positive first steps.
Dr. Kitts comments should also not be perceived to pre-empt what I think all of us in the Civic neighbourhood would like to see - a thorough and consultative planning exercise to ensure the new hospital meets the needs of the community in terms of 1) services offered; 2) ease of access to these services and 3) a planned legacy for the current Civic site.
There is no reason why this project can't be a win for all concerned.
Our open meeting held in January brought forward a diverse number of views – from incorporating the expansion into transit and “densification” plans for the City, to ensuring adequate access to care in a “downtown” hospital. These are all issues that we will continue to push forward, and in part appear to be issues Dr. Kitts addressed in his editorial board comments. Let's take that as a positive sign.
But I would also add that our local community, and our civic leaders, needs to start thinking bigger on this project – and quickly.
As one of two options, a proposal to move across Carling Avenue to the Experimental Farm will be difficult to accomplish. The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association does not have a specific mandate related to the Experimental Farm, but clearly, many in our neighbourhood care deeply about the property. Again, what is important is that we keep the lines of communication open with TOH and the LHIN, and also work to ensure that all other potential stakeholders - from Agriculture Canada to the City to the NCC are also engaged in an equally transparent manner.
You should be also aware that we will be formally asking the LHIN why an “expansion up” option isn’t being considered. The Toronto General Hospital model has been raised in our local meetings (where they’ve undertaken a major expansion on a small footprint). The current response is that such a project would double the cost of the new hospital. It’s a fair argument, but to rule it out, there should be a formal response as to whether this statement is accurate.
Again, your input and comments are vital to reinforcing the interest our community has in this issue. We've had two very well attended meetings in the past 6 months, and expect the next meeting when scheduled, will have an equally strong showing. Any formal positions that we do take as an association will be table to the community prior to any public meetings, and will be debated publicly.
If you wish to discuss directly, I can reached by email at scottbradleyottawa@gmail.com
You can find the article online here at the tail end of this story detailing Kitts' suggestion that we need more nursing home beds:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Health/Ontario+needs+more+nursing+homes+Kitts/1470950/story.html
You can also get more detail and commentary on Ken Gray's "Bulldog" blog here:
http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/bulldog/archive/2009/04/06/kitts-backs-carling-avenue-as-new-site-for-civic-campus.aspx
Here's what we've been doing as a Neighbourhood Association:
Before making a specific note on Dr. Kitts' comments, you should be aware of what we've been up to as an association.
Two weeks ago, the CHNA Civic Campus Plan Working Group met with The Ottawa Hospital's VP of Public Affairs, Nicolas Ruszkowski. Keith Hobbs, Amanda Farris, Kate Harrigan and myself participated in this meeting.
The purpose of this session was to 1) get an update from TOH on their recent meetings with Ministry of Health and other officials at Queen's Park with regards to the expansion planning process; 2) understand anticipated timelines as the planning cycle moves forward and where we and other neighbourhood associations will be engaged in the process; and 3) discuss other pressing TOH issues - notably ALC (alternative levels of care) for elderly patients and the strain this is putting on current hospital resources.
The tone of the meeting was consultative, and collectively, we felt TOH is committed to working with community associations throughout the planning process to get this project "right". We are off to a positive start, and want to maintain this positive tone and approach.
That being said, there is no intent to soft-pedal our views, or stop advocating for outcomes that we believe reflect the community as a whole. It has been made clear to TOH by the Ministry of Health, and political leaders, that community consultation will be a critical component of this project moving forward. We will continue to ensure this is upheld.
There were a number of takeaways that came out of this discussion:
1. Legacy of the Site - It was made clear that we believe some sort of health care facility should remain at the current Civic site. What shape or form this takes remains to be debated, and whether or not this remains the respsibility of TOH or part of a larger Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) healthcare delivery model, is for future discussion;
2. Grant Approval - In terms of timeline for the project, it is important to note that we are still at early stages. TOH has yet to receive a grant to start the formal planning process - although I do believe they are hoping to initiate that sometime in the next few months. Still, even once funding is in place, the process will still take 18-24 months before a formal request goes forward to the LHIN and Ministry of Health as the next step. We are still early days into a process that could take a decade.
3. Next Steps in Community Consultation - We need to continue to expand the reach of this consultative effort, including engaging our partner community associations, and reaching out to the LHIN and political leaders. We have not yet pinned down a date for a next public meeting, but would suggest we do something in May.
Comment on Dr. Kitts' views:
Which leads us back to Dr. Jack Kitts' comments yesterday regarding his preference to have the new hospital site built in the same general area as the Civic Campus - or rather, across the street on Experimental Farm property.
The following comments reflect my personal opinion, not specifically those of the CHNA. Please recognize that your input and thinking is very much appreciated and welcome in the "Comments" section below.
Jack Kitts' candour in making known his views known isn't a bad thing. One of the objectives that many of us would like to see throughout this proceses is openness and transparency from the Ottawa Hospital, and we have that. I do not believe he was trying to be strategic or political in his comments.
I also remain hopeful that the senior management team at the Hospital are committed to getting the plan for the new hospital right -which means meeting not only the objectives of the hospital and their internal stakeholders, but the community as a whole. We’ve already had one open meeting with the VP Planning – Cameron Love, and are in regular contact with Nicolas Ruszkowski as referenced above.
My belief to date is that the various community and residents groups showing an interest in this project, are being given some credit and clout by the hospital executive, and that the TOH end objectives can be met by being transparent, open and consultative throughout the length of this process. I could be cynical and suggest they are only doing what they are mandated to do, but let's take our early progress as positive first steps.
Dr. Kitts comments should also not be perceived to pre-empt what I think all of us in the Civic neighbourhood would like to see - a thorough and consultative planning exercise to ensure the new hospital meets the needs of the community in terms of 1) services offered; 2) ease of access to these services and 3) a planned legacy for the current Civic site.
There is no reason why this project can't be a win for all concerned.
Our open meeting held in January brought forward a diverse number of views – from incorporating the expansion into transit and “densification” plans for the City, to ensuring adequate access to care in a “downtown” hospital. These are all issues that we will continue to push forward, and in part appear to be issues Dr. Kitts addressed in his editorial board comments. Let's take that as a positive sign.
But I would also add that our local community, and our civic leaders, needs to start thinking bigger on this project – and quickly.
As one of two options, a proposal to move across Carling Avenue to the Experimental Farm will be difficult to accomplish. The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association does not have a specific mandate related to the Experimental Farm, but clearly, many in our neighbourhood care deeply about the property. Again, what is important is that we keep the lines of communication open with TOH and the LHIN, and also work to ensure that all other potential stakeholders - from Agriculture Canada to the City to the NCC are also engaged in an equally transparent manner.
You should be also aware that we will be formally asking the LHIN why an “expansion up” option isn’t being considered. The Toronto General Hospital model has been raised in our local meetings (where they’ve undertaken a major expansion on a small footprint). The current response is that such a project would double the cost of the new hospital. It’s a fair argument, but to rule it out, there should be a formal response as to whether this statement is accurate.
Again, your input and comments are vital to reinforcing the interest our community has in this issue. We've had two very well attended meetings in the past 6 months, and expect the next meeting when scheduled, will have an equally strong showing. Any formal positions that we do take as an association will be table to the community prior to any public meetings, and will be debated publicly.
If you wish to discuss directly, I can reached by email at scottbradleyottawa@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
PARKING RULES BACK FOR FEB. 23
Had a conversation with Christine Leadman's office today to follow up on an inquiry made by a couple of neighbourhood residents with regards to the parking easements that were put in place for the transit strike.
Regular parking restrictions will be reinstated on February 23rd. By-law officers will be not be issuing tickets, but rather warning notices on this date, and will resume regular ticketing on the 24th.
Start practicing your smiles and tactful negotiating skills now!
Regular parking restrictions will be reinstated on February 23rd. By-law officers will be not be issuing tickets, but rather warning notices on this date, and will resume regular ticketing on the 24th.
Start practicing your smiles and tactful negotiating skills now!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Slides from Presentation
Vic Champman was kind enough to convert the slides from the Ottawa Hospital presentation a few weeks back, and I've posted a few of the key ones below for your reference and information.
There is also an article in this week's Kitchissippi Times referencing our Open Meeting. No new news in the past two weeks, but we will continue to keep you posted as the file progresses.
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