KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North INFILL IN BEAVERBROOK

Kanata was designed as a garden city with development integrated into open spaces and natural areas, as evident in Beaverbrook. When Bill Teron started his new town on the more than 3,000 acres he had acquired in March Township, his vision was to create a total city with different communities, a town centre, employment and amenities. He started with Beaverbrook, a community where every home cluster had open space on at least one side; where groups of home clusters formed the 3 neighbourhoods of Leacock, Varley and Penfield; and where the community they created had amenities at the centre, including a shopping centre, community centre and community pool. The Township added a library and fire hall. Later additions include a child care centre, church, and local mall. Housing was mixed, so that people of all incomes and needs could share the community. Beaverbrook has had rental town houses and an apartment complex from the beginning. The concept was that multiple housing would be placed on large sites, which would provide privately owned open space to augment community parks. In the present City of Ottawa, residential communities are designated as general urban in the official plan. This designation permits housing of various types, as well as limited retail, open spaces and institutional uses. Zoning to implement these uses is in place, but such zoning can be changed by Council as long as the new zone meets the official plan policies. In the official plan the most important sections to consider are 2.5.1 and 4.11, which deal with Urban Design and Compatibility. These policies, together with the Citys policies on intensification, are the policies that impact present and future development. Fighting to keep the same zoning, if the property owner wants another use that fits within the official plan, will likely lead to failure. What needs to be done is to clearly articulate the way in which Beaverbrook was designed and built, and to show the urban design and compatibility which would permit development that would suit the community. Thats not easy to do but work is underway in Beaverbrook to put together a template that can be used to judge any new proposal. Such a template can be used to ensure that developers, planning staff and members of the Planning Committee understand what is needed to ensure compatible development in the community.

Other areas in Kanata North are not yet facing the same pressures but it makes sense for each community to determine what matters in their community design, so that they are prepared for what could come forward in the future.

PUBLIC MEETINGS
May 23rd 6-8 pm - Mlacak D, skate board park concept design May 28th, 7-9 pm - Ward Council, Kanata Seniors Centre May 29th, 7-9 pm - Mlacak C, Zoning for the Outlet Mall June 5th - meeting about subdivision for 11 lots at 120 Flamborough Way, details to come

NOTES OF INTEREST
Kanata Choral Society 25th Anniversary Concert, St. Pauls, May 12th, 7:30 pm Naming of Juanita Snelgrove Park, May 17th, 2pm