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Monday, January 3, 2011

Ready, Set, 2011! CCCA off to a quick start

The following message was sent to the CCCA's e-mail announcement list yesterday, announcing upcoming events. Contact ccca@centretowncitizens.ca to be added to this list to receive CCCA e-mail updates a couple times per month.


Dear CCCA members and followers,

First, I'd like to wish everyone a happy new year, and thank everyone who has participated in CCCA activities, including the numerous-but-important December meetings. Below is a a summary of what's coming up in January 2011, plus a recap of the December 21 Board meeting in item 5.

I hope we'll see you at some of these events. Your participation is crucial to the healthy growth of our community.

Summary of this month's events:
(1) Planning & Development Review Committee Meeting #1 - Jan 8
(2) Planning & Development Review Committee Meeting #2 - Jan 10
(3) CCCA welcomes John Woodhouse to the Board
(4) Fundraising added to Communications Committee mandate
(5) December Board meeting updates
(6) CCCA Members and volunteers wanted!
(7) Sen's Mile Charity Chili cook-off


(1) Planning & Development Review Committee Meeting #1 - Jan 8
re: Mid-Centretown Community Design Plan and Section 37
Saturday, January 8, 2011, 1pm, Ottawa City Hall (Billings Room)


Because of the heavy agenda, the January PDR meeting has been split into two. On Saturday, January 8, we will be discussing the mid-Centretown Community Design Plan and Section 37. Three CCCA members met with Councillor Holmes just before Christmas to work on a coordinated response to these issues. These issues will guide development in Centretown for years to come--not to mention the many applications coming down the pipe in 2011! (See next item)

The consultants for the mid-Centretown Community Design Plan (http://midcentretown.wordpress.com) have the following four questions, and we'd like to hear your responses to them. Send us your comments at ccca@centretowncitizens.ca


1. Do you agree with [the consultants'] proposals for where new growth should be directed to and what it should look like?

2. Do you agree with [the consultants'] proposals for softening Centretown's (sic) with new 'green' initiatives around park improvements, the creation of new public and semi-public spaces (tied to development opportunities), streetscaping and tree planting?

3. Do you agree with [the consultants'] proposals for making Centretown easier to move around by foot, bicycle, car and bus? Tell us if we missed any important new ideas for moving around Centretown and making it a more pleasant and safer experience?

4. Do you agree with [the consultants'] proposals for what types of facilities are most needed to serve Centretown's existing and future population? Tell us what is missing today and what you think would be important to have in the future.



(2) Planning & Development Review Committee Meeting #2 - Jan 10
re: Upcoming Development Applications
Monday, January 10, 2011, 5:30pm, Ottawa City Hall (Billings Room)


Because of the heavy agenda, the January PDR meeting has been split in two. On Monday, January 10, we will be discussing the CCCA's position on a number of development applications in Centretown, including some for which we heard presentations at the December meeting:
- 260 MacLaren (Zoning amendment, 9-storey condo by Claridge)
- Cathedral Hill (Zoning amendment, 24-storey residential and 12-storey office, by Christ Church)
- 89-91 Nepean updates (Zoning amendment, 27-storey condo by Claridge)
- 108-110 Lisgar (Site plan, 20-storey condo by Charlesfort)
- "Block 265 Catherine" (Greyhound site, plans for future development. No formal application made yet)


(3) CCCA welcomes John Woodhouse to the Board
At the December CCCA Board meeting, the Board of Directors appointed John Woodhouse to fill the vacancy left by Danielle McGee, who is now working in the office of Mayor Jim Watson. John has many interests, but focuses on accessibility issues so that wheelchair users like himself are included in plans for road and building work.


(4) Fundraising added to Communications Committee mandate
The CCCA's communications committee received new life in December as Vice-President Jordan Charbonneau agreed to take charge of the committee. The committee will be reviewing the structure of the website, and looking at ways to promote the CCCA, raise funds, and promote membership. If you are interested in participating in the CCCA's Communications Committee, please contact jordan at vicepresident@centretowncitizens.ca


(5) December Board meeting updates
The next regular CCCA Board meeting is on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 7pm at City Hall (Honeywell Room)

The Board an orientation meeting on December 7, 2010, to review the CCCA's appointments, representatives to other groups, and liaisons, including the Centretown Buzz newspaper, which we co-own with the Dalhousie Community Association.

At the regular December Board meeting on December 21, 2010, the Board covered much ground, including the following
- Congratulate new and re-elected councillors, and on joining committees
- Support making the U-Pass a permanent program
- Support increased numbers and better distribution of Ring and Post bike parking locations, year round
- Add accessibility to the CCCA Transportation Committee's terms of reference
- Discuss Planning & Development issues (see items 1 and 2, above)


(6) CCCA Members and volunteers wanted!
We have posted the CCCA membership form on the "contact us" page of the CCCA website. Download it here (pdf).

You can download and fill out the form and bring it to one of our meetings or events with your $5 membership fee, or give it to one of our Board members when you see us around town, to pass along to the Membership Secretary.

We're also looking for volunteers to help out with our fundraisers, including the Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club event and the Minto Park Sale in June. Committees (despite the bureaucratic name) are an accessible way to get involved in a specific interest. Check out the CCCA home pages for a list of committees, contacts, and next meeting.


(7) Sen's Mile Charity Chili cook-off
Sunday, January 16, 2011, 11:00pm-3:00pm
As mentioned on the front and back pages of the December 2010 Centretown Buzz, there will be a fundraising event at Minto Park, Jack Purcell Community Centre, Jack Purcell Park Skating Rink, and Woody's Pub. Funds raised will benefit the Jack Purcell Park Redevelopment Project, aiming to provide the first accessible play area for children of all ages and abilities in downtown Ottawa. For more information, contact 613-564-3780 or senschili@woodyspub.ca


I hope to see you at many of these upcoming events. If not, I wish you all the best for the new year and hope we'll see you around town. If you have any questions or comments about the CCCA, feel free to contact ccca@centretowncitizens.ca .

Cheers,

Charles Akben-Marchand
President
Centretown Citizens Community Association (CCCA)
www.CentretownCitizens.ca

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