SECONDARY DWELLING UNITS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

The City of Ottawa presently permits a secondary dwelling unit within a dwelling unit
(single, semi-detached or town houses) under certain conditions. The City is now
considering zoning amendments that would permit a separate building, often called a
coach house, to be built on residential properties. These could be in the backyard of a
home or along a laneway. To find out more about this proposal, go to www.ottawa.ca
and search for Secondary Dwelling Units in Accessory Structures Zoning Study. The
initial time for comments has passed, but I can submit further information to staff, so
send any comments to me and Ill forward them. This policy is being undertaken to
provide affordable housing but the impact on a community could be substantial on
community appearance, parking, traffic and more. The study is considering the
standards needed, zoning provisions and may limit the types of dwelling units that can
have a secondary unit within an accessory structure.

WINTER WEATHER
There has been a number of major storms this year that have impacted our ability to
get around on the road or sidewalk. The City policy on winter operations is based on
the service level of the road or sidewalk, with road plowing starting early in the storm
and sidewalk plowing that follows. In Kanata North, the highest level of service is for
arterial roads (March, Terry Fox & Campeau), next comes major collectors (Kanata,
Teron, Halton are examples), then minor collectors (such as Walden, Leacock, Shirleys
Brook) and then the local streets that connect to the collector system. Similar
categories are used for sidewalks and pathways leading to places like schools. During a
major storm it is crucial to keep the major network open for emergency vehicles and
transit so these roads receive service first. During heavy snowfalls the roads may need
to be plowed a number of times. Local roads are to be cleared within 10-12 hours after
the conclusion of the storm but may take longer when record amounts of snow falls.
They are cleared to a snowpack state, resulting in rutting when a thaw occurs. Trucking
snow away to reduce mounds (the most expensive part of winter operations) occurs
where snow cannot be pushed back in order to keep main routes open. When freezing
rain occurs, all streets will receive salt following the same priorities. Sidewalk clearing
starts 4 hours after the start of the storm so that ridges from road plows can be cleared
where sidewalks meet roads. The manager for winter services was to be at my February
Town Hall but that was cancelled due to a storm! This will now take place at the March
23rd Town Hall.

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY

You are invited to attend my International Womens Day Breakfast on March 10 th 7am
8:30am at the Mlacak Centre. This is an opportunity to hear from the keynote speaker
MP Anita Vandenbeld (Ottawa West-Nepean). As an advisor to the United Nations, Anita
managed a global online network to promote womens political rights and participation.
Shell be speaking about her work with women around the world. Network with women
in the community and meet local women authors and artists. As space is limited please
RSVP to kanatanorth@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2474.

CALL TO ARTISTS for Public Art at the Park and Ride on Innovation. Deadline is
March 9th. Contact Hannah.kingscote@ottawa.ca for details.

PROJECT UPDATES & COMING EVENTS

Online Registration for summer recreation programs is March 7th at 9 pm for aquatics
and March 9th for other programs.
March 10, 7 am, Kanata Norths International Womens Day Breakfast
March 10, Womens Day Celebration Banquet, Intercultural Dialogue Institute, 335
Michael Cowpland Dr. 6:30 pm. Tickets are $15. Visit www.eventbrite.ca to purchase
tickets.