February, 2008 - Glebe Report

GCA
Why the sudden rush to re-develop Lansdowne?
By
Bob
Brocklebank
Parking
One of the issues that seems to
have seized the neighbourhood is the
decision by city council to raise rates
for parking meters and to extend the
time that meters need to be fed.
There are several concerns which
have led the GCA to express opposition
to the decision and to request
that it be reconsidered.
Although the impact of higher
parking charges on our local businesses
is of concern, we worry most
about the effect on community activity.
The need at odd hours to run out
in the middle of fitness class or choir
practice to stuff coins in a parking
meter may scare away friends who
regularly come to the Glebe.
The decision on parking fees was
a sudden grab for funds in the midst
of the city budget debate. It was not
a thoughtful examination taking into
account the effect of asking that
meters be fed on Sunday mornings
or weekday evenings. A more comprehensive
discussion of parking
issues is needed.
Residencial property tax
The press has been filled with dire
warnings about the impact of
reassessments and the increased tax
burden to be placed on dwellers in
the city centre. There is probably
good reason to be concerned
although the new assessments by
MPAC are not scheduled for release
until the autumn.
But back in August 2006 the
provincial government, in association
with the Association of Municipalities
of Ontario, launched a
“Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and
Service Delivery Review” with a
timetable calling for a report in
spring 2008. There have been no
leaks, no trial balloons, in short –
nothing from the review deliberations
since it was established.
Free parking
Some cynical people thought that
the review was simply a way to stifle
all discussion of property taxes and
similar problems for the provincial
election. I thought it was a genuine
attempt to find solutions and I hope
we will soon learn what the review
recommends. If the review fails to
consider property tax reform, it will
be a bitter disappointment, considering
the number of politicians and
community spokesmen who have
described the tax system as “broken.”
Sunnyside public library
At the January GCA board meeting
we heard from Doug Casey of
Charlesfort Developements about his
concept of redevelopment of the
Sunnyside public library. We welcome
such presentations at the idea
stage of a project as it gives the community
time to think about the pros
and cons of a proposal, before it has
gone too far. The idea, and that is all
it is, would see the site of the library
hosting a tower of condos with a new
library on the lower floors of the
building. Mr. Casey indicated that he
was about to begin discussions with
the city concerning his ideas.
Board members at the meeting
asked questions about this concept –
some were beginning to form opinions
for and against the idea. But at
the moment, there is no specific project
proposal and the GCA has taken
no position with respect to the concept.
Lansdowne Park
The GCA had been pressing for
public consultations on the future
development of Lansdowne Park
and the city has responded, notably
with a workshop held on Jan. 29 and
another to be held Feb. 26. We are
pleased that the public will have a
say and we want to encourage
everyone with an interest to participate
on Feb. 26 and in the online
forum on Lansdowne on the city
website.
We do have two areas of concern
about the process for addressing the
future of Lansdowne Park. First, the
process has a very aggressive
timetable. After doing virtually nothing
for years (with the sole exception
of saving the Aberdeen Pavilion)
why are we in such a rush? In particular,
why are we in such a haste to
come up with a design brief? Surely
we need to decide what we want on
Glebe Pet Hospital
Serving theGlebearea since1976...
233-8326
595 Bank Street
(just south of the Queensway)
Weekdays 8-7, Saturday 9-2:30
Housecalls available
Students & seniors welcome.
We care for dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, reptiles, birds & other pets
Dr. Hussein Fattah
DANJO CREATIONS (613)526-4424
Sunnyside public library
the site before we start asking for
designs.
The second concern is about the
idea of offering “right to develop” to
the successful competitor. This
forces the formation of consortia
bringing together architects,
builders, developers, and financiers.
The winning team, which might have
the worst plan for development but
the best financing and project management
skills, would be granted the
approval to proceed to redevelop the
entire Lansdowne site in accordance
with their plan.
Public-private partnerships
Both the idea for the Sunnyside
public library site and the competition
for Lansdowne Park are possible
examples of public-private partnerships
(often abbreviated to P3).
I have no ideological position of
opposition to P3 proposals. Some
Glebe Report February 15, 2008 7
things are better done by government,
others by private companies.
Often the two can work together. The
challenge is to find the right mix.
Our experience in Ottawa with P3
projects is neither all bad nor all
good. We should approach such proposals
cautiously but with an open
mind. Frankly, I was surprised to
read comments by a P3 proponent
who made negative remarks about
public servants. That is no basis for a
reasoned discussion, particularly in
this city, traditionally dominated by
the civil service.
Next meeting
The GCA board meets Mon., Feb.
25 at 7:30 at the Glebe Community
Centre. (The meeting is moved from
Tuesday to permit full participation
in the city workshop on Lansdowne
Park on Feb. 26 from 6:30 p.m., in
salons A & B of the Civic Centre.)
Enjoy Winterlude 2008!
Photo courtesy of the City of Ottawa
Always available to answer
your real estate questions.
“Service built our business.
Let us be of service to you and
your family.” Jeff Hooper
PHOTO: MURRAY MCGREGOR