Glebe Annex Community Association (GACA)
Board Meeting – Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7:00 p.m.
Held Via Zoom
Present:
- Avery Steinberg
- Carrie Bolton
- David Perkins
- Gabrielle Dallaporta
- Joanne Benoit
- Laurent Carbonneau
- Marni Crossley
- Robert Logie
- Sue Stefko
- Jonathan McLeod (Assistant, Office of Shawn Menard, Councillor, Capital Ward)
1. Call to Order
The meeting commenced at 7:05 p.m.
2. Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was approved
3. Minutes from January 12th Meeting
The minutes were approved.
4. Business Arising from our last meeting – January 12, 2022
Katasa, 275 Carling
This item arising from our last meeting will be discussed in Sue’s update, item 7.
5. Occupation of Downtown Ottawa
Jon provided an update. A motion made by Councillor McKenney to pause all committee meetings for the next week was passed. The exception is tomorrow’s planning committee. The city also increased the fines for contravening idling, noise and parking bylaws, which can now be up to $1,000. The fines are enforceable throughout the city. We were told that delivery of gas to the protesters would be stopped, but it has not. Robert’s draft letter to the mayor and provincial and federal representatives was also discussed. The gap between the protesters and the government is too big for this to end through mediation or dialogue in the near term. The purpose behind the GACA letter is to ask for action from whatever level of government is required – whatever the solution may be. It was suggested and agreed to add Minister Blair, Minister for Emergency Preparedness. Appreciation for the letter drafted by Robert was expressed and it was approved for submission.
6. GACA AGM – Sue
At our last meeting we considered, but were undecided on, asking Katasa to be a speaker. Sue has reached out to Joshua of the John Howard Society (JHS) and asked if the AGM could be an opportune time to do a presentation on the building. It will be about a month or so before it opens, though it could be delayed more. He was enthusiastic about doing a virtual tour of the building and talking about some of the JHS programming. The lack of a grocery store in our area was brought up as a possible topic of discussion. A grocery store was in the plans for the Arnon development on Preston but there have been no updates for some time. Security was suggested as a topic, on a broader scale than our community, such as what happened during the convoy. The city’s new Official Plan (OP) was put forward as a topic, particularly what the official plan means to our community and future builds. In the end, the OP and JHS as topics were the subjects most supported. Marni is going to look into the outreach for future residents at the JHS and put together a list of needed items for residents that we can put out to the community.
7. General Update – Sue
7.1 – 7 Maclean
7 Maclean is for sale; they are asking $1.35M for the property and plans.
7.2 Canada Lands Corporation (CLC) 299 Carling
The zoning has been approved. The next stage of the process will be a park consultation. It’s difficult to say how quickly the area could be developed. The zoning approval is a turning point though, and a step towards the development of the lot and the community gaining some amenities.
7.3 – Katasa Build – 275 Carling
- GACA has been asked by some concerned residents to reach out to others to see if they are also concerned about blasting potentially damaging their properties. GACA will send an email out to our membership.
- City Committee of Adjustment – This meeting took place last week but we don’t yet have a decision. Both Fotenn and Katasa attended. They expressed that although the community feels the proposed amenity space is a 17th floor, they did not feel it was. The committee asked several questions about the proposed space. A decision should be made soon.
7.4 Developer Influence
Councillor Menard is hosting a town hall on developer influence, the impact, and how this issue can be addressed. It will be held on February 24th.
7.5 – 774 Bronson Katasa
The Dow’s Lake Residents’ Association was at the planning committee on this proposal. They have indicated that they feel that their efforts are making a difference and that they are hopeful that the builder is considering lowering the height to 22 stories and potentially considering a park there, although the developer is concerned about liability.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
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