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Writer's pictureCatherine Kitts
Jul 1510 min read

Orléans South-Navan Community Update | July 15th, 2024


Councillor's Message


When it rains, it pours! Both literally and figuratively.


Record rainfall in June and the beginning of July with the remnants of Hurricane Beryl has put significant stress on our stormwater infrastructure. I want to thank you for reaching out to my office and 3-1-1 with any issues as they come up. I continue to work with staff on addressing problem areas, including being proactive with catch basins. I have a few recent posts on my Facebook page for tips and tricks, including how crews respond to record rainfall. I'm also aware and actively investigating persistent flooding on multiple farmers' fields in our community. 


Amidst these challenges, casework in my office continues at record levels and remains high. I want to thank you for your patience as my team and I work through to help you given how much is going on in the ward lately. (The delayed send of this newsletter is one such case!)


Last week, the Front-Ending Agreement for Ashcroft Homes' Eastboro subdivision was approved by Council. While finding a resolution to these legal proceedings was needed, the settlement has huge implications for our community. Below you’ll find a more fulsome update which I do encourage you do read in full.


For my rural constituents, it’s been a whirlwind these last couple of weeks. I want to thank you for your involvement as multiple engagement sessions took up your time, including the provincially-directed Wetland Mapping exercise that was causing a lot of concern in our community. Thanks to the efforts of myself and other rural councillors pressing the province and conservation authorities to rethink this exercise, we now understand that the Ontario government is intending to cancel its plans for updated wetlands mapping, and conservation authorities, including South Nation, are expecting further direction from the province in that regard. You can read more about the situation in a recent CBC article here.


Summer is in full swing, and there are a lot of great activities happening throughout the City and ward! I’m looking forward to seeing you throughout the rest of July and August. For an updated list of community events I’ll be attending, please visit my website here: https://www.catherinekitts.com/events. I hope you can take a moment to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with family and friends.


My best,





Annual culvert work continues across the ward 


Thank you for your understanding as culvert replacement crews have been hard at work on Navan, Renaud, and now Russell making upgrades. Work is slated to start at the end of the month and into August on Birchgrove and Magladry. Below are a few more to be aware of for traffic impacts. Please plan your trips accordingly. A reminder that crew availability and weather can shift work schedules and timelines.


  • RUSSELL RD & 0.75KM EAST OF RUISSELLETT RD – Scheduled July 15 to July 19. Russell Road will be down to one lane controlled by flaggers (alternating traffic flows) during off-peak hours.

  • MAGLADRY RD & 0.53KM EAST OF HEUVELMANS RD – Scheduled July 29 to August 2. Road Closure of Magladry Rd will be in place between Heuvelmans Rd to Dunning Rd with signed detours in place. Local Traffic Access will be maintained.

  • MAGLADRY RD & 0.01KM EAST OF BIRCHGROVE RD – Scheduled August 6 to August 12. Road Closure of Magladry Rd will be in place between Birchgrove Rd to Canaan Rd with signed detours in place. Local Traffic Access will be maintained.

  • BIRCHGROVE RD & 0.01KM NORTH OF MAGLADRY RD – Scheduled August 26 to August 30. Road Closure of Birchgrove Rd will be in place between Watson Rd to Magladry Rd with signed detours in place. Local Traffic Access will be maintained.



Road rehabilitation work on Wall Road starts this week - July 15


Starting this week, crews will begin work on Wall Road from Mer Bleue to Tenth Line.


You might have already seen signs and traffic controls in place already.


Thank you for your patience as we move forward on important road infrastructure projects across the ward. Currently, work is also being done on Frank Kenny and on Innes.



Multi-month closure on Étienne Road starts today Monday, July 15


On Étienne Road, a cast-in-past culvert needs to be replaced. To facilitate those repairs, Étienne will be closed from Birchgrove to Canaan.


Any homes impacted in and around the closures were notified by city staff via mail handouts. Local access for homeowners within the closure will be maintained.


I know how difficult a multi-month closure can be, especially on this important rural road. I am in consistent communication with city staff and will pass along any updates that I receive.



Council approves Front-Ending Agreement for Ashcroft Homes’ Eastboro subdivsion


Many of you may have been aware that Ashcroft launched litigation against the City re: a front-ending agreement that was required to proceed with the construction of a storm water connection that is required to service its Eastboro subdivision. What has hung in the balance as this dispute prolonged was the hundreds of families who purchased homes in 2019 and have not been able to move into their homes, or have any clarity on when that might be possible.


Navigating the complexities of this project and its impact has been one of the most challenging files I've dealt with. The City’s position on payment for the storm sewer detailed in this agreement has not changed, and it could have come forward months ago, not only saving those families strife but it would have given all of us more notice for the construction work that is going to be incredibly impactful for our community.


After the previous one-directional closure of Navan Road in 2022, I maintained the position that another closure is not tenable. Let me be clear, the reason work stalled on the Eastboro subdivision was because of the dispute over payment, but as those conversations were taking place, I have spent countless hours in meetings with staff from all departments and consultants, advocating for alternatives, and exploring every possible option to avoid a closure. Unfortunately, we are left with geographic constraints and operational space limitations that make a full closure necessary. My hands are tied in this situation, but I dissented on the full closure and timeline despite the settlement passing.


While the exact construction timelines are not yet clear, a stipulation in the negotiated agreement was 30-day notice before issuing a permit. I communicated to staff that this was not reasonable notice for businesses, community groups and area schools, but legal counsel informed us without that stipulation the settlement would not proceed, meaning years of uncertainty for those families and years of legal costs for taxpayers.


Despite this 30-day minimum, at my request, staff did negotiate several obligations before the permit can be issued including a communications plan, public meeting to be held by the developer, "business as usual signage", etc. As Ashcroft will need to secure a contractor and provide the City with financial securities, I'm not sure 30 days is a realistic timeline to mobilize, and I am hopeful that we will have more time to get organized as a community.


Ashcroft has indicated that the work is likely to take 6 months, but the City has also included incentives to stick to that timeline as we know the last closure extended past it's originally communicated end date.


In the 24 hours between when we considered this at committee and went it come forward to council, I worked tirelessly with staff to ensure our community receives as much support as possible above and beyond what is required within the legal agreement with Ashcroft. This includes arranging a City-led information session for local business owners, enhanced signage, detailed traffic management plans, and coordinating communications materials, ensuring the road is closed at the last possible moment and that options be explored to expedite the work including weekend work. These efforts are reflected in the motion that was unanimously carried at council, which you can view here.


With alternate routes already over capacity and return-to-office in September, I have been sick over the impact this will have on people’s quality of life and their livelihoods. This is the last thing we need in an area already over-capacity and beyond stretched with inadequate transportation infrastructure. Navan Road is a critical arterial link for our community, and it pains me that we have already endured several extended closures for work by this specific developer.


You’re likely wondering, what’s next? I’ve requested further clarity on construction timelines, specific closure parameters and their locations on Navan Road, which I hope to have for you as soon as possible. Over the coming days and weeks, I look forward to providing you with more information and clarity on those timelines and other information, as detailed in the motion carried.


Please watch the videos below for my remarks as committee considered this settlement. As well, there is a link below for the comments I made at council, my comments that were included in the report, and recent media coverage. I will continue to hold the developer accountable for their proposed traffic management plans and work with staff on proactive communication with our community.


Thank you for your ongoing support on what has truly been one of the most difficult files to ever come across my desk.







Update on intersection modifications for Brian Coburn at Tenth Line


I wanted to let you know that work continues to advance the engineered intersection modifications at Brian Coburn at Tenth Line. Specifically, the widening of the south side of Brian Coburn Boulevard to extend the eastbound left-turn lane to mitigate queuing issues.


Approvals are in place, and it has now been sent to detailed design, which is slated to take until spring of next year. After that, the rough estimate on construction timelines is summer 2025.


I will continue to keep you updated as the file progresses.



REMINDER - Please fill out the Transportation Master Plan surveys


A reminder that this is your opportunity to inform staff about the transportation issues you experience in our community with two surveys. This review will influence funding and prioritization of projects like the expansion of Brian Coburn and the Cumberland bus-rapid transitway, guiding infrastructure investment for the next 20 years.


Orléans South has seen rapid growth, and it's crucial to invest in infrastructure to support our community. I've been advocating for better connectivity in our ward, addressing traffic congestion, inadequate public transportation, and limited active transportation infrastructure. Now, I need your help.


There are two surveys, one is a mapping exercise where you can pinpoint your daily issues, and the second, what infrastructure improvements should be prioritized financially. Both can be found here: https://ow.ly/g92450SlvCY


This is our chance to make the case for investment in Ward 19, and we can't let the opportunity pass us by!


Also, if you haven’t read my Ottawa Citizen op-ed from TMP Part 1, please take a moment and check it out here:  Kitts: Ottawa’s new transportation plan must not overlook South Orléans


While I always love hearing from you directly, do note that the best way to have your feedback on this issue captured at this time is to fill out the surveys above.



South Innes Expansion Lands open house


I want to thank everyone from the community who came out on Wednesday evening to ask questions and provide feedback on the City-led open house to discuss the future Neighbourhood Plan for the Innes Road Expansion Lands. Please note that residential development is slated for these expansion lands in the north-east portion of the identified parcel and Millennium Park is not impacted.


In 2020, before I was elected, City Council made the decision to expand our urban boundary in line with provincial requirements to accommodate for the rapid growth of our city. 60% of the growth was also directed to intensifying the already built-up area. Wednesday's session was the first step in the planning process and future sessions will be considering the planning of this neighbourhood as it integrates with the existing neighbourhood. I encourage residents to stay engaged in the process.


For those that have concerns about our infrastructure supporting this growth - I share them and speak about this constantly at committee, at council and with various stakeholders every single day. I have been speaking and meeting with the Mayor and City Manager about the urgent need to address this if we are to proceed with the housing planned for our community. Filling out the surveys above is a great way to emphasize this. 



Mayor’s First Community BBQ at Millennium Park


Join Mayor Mark Sutcliffe & I on Saturday, August 10 from 11 am – 3 pm for the Mayor's inaugural free community BBQ!


You can register today to secure your spot for a free afternoon of food fun, and festivities. https://ca.mar.medallia.com/BBQRSVP2024


Since I know you've all come to love seeing Monkey Rock at my own annual Millennium BBQ, we've secured the band to perform yet again, so make sure to mark it in your kiddos' calendar. 


I can’t wait to see you there!


Fireside chat on the New Zoning By-law at Ben Franklin Place


I had a great time at a fireside chat hosted in partnership with Councillors Laine Johnson and Jeff Leiper at Ben Franklin Place on Monday, where we discussed the implications of the new zoning by-law. If you missed it, it’s available on Youtube here.


It was fantastic to hear questions from the audience on the draft and to get answers from expert panelists who specialize in affordable housing, architecture, and residential development.


If you haven't already, please provide your feedback on Engage Ottawa here. I am planning an east-end specific consultation with my colleagues at the end of August—stay tuned for details!



Update on wildflower seeding in the Hydro corridor


Recently, I’ve been fielding questions from the community about the timeline for wildflower seeding behind Auburn Ridge. After connecting with the team at Hydro One, it was determined that the seeding done last year did not grow in one area of the corridor, unfortunately.


That being said, Hydro One has confirmed with my office that they will now be undertaking new seeding this summer to address the area in question that has not grown, which is great news!


Thank you to everyone who brought this to my attention.

 


Parks and Facilities By-law Review Open House taking place at Millennium Park


The City is currently undertaking a review of the Parks and Facilities By-law. This review is essential to ensure our indoor and outdoor recreational spaces continue to foster community engagement and provide opportunities for recreational and cultural activities that are inclusive, safe and accessible to all.


To facilitate feedback, staff have planned for an open house at Millennium Park on July 23 from 11:30-2:00 pm to gather park users' feedback.


Staff will be on-site, along with a booth to inform people of the Parks and Facilities By-law Review and to discuss their experience with parks and facilities.



O-Train Line 1 will close for planned maintenance 


From Monday, July 15 to Sunday, July 28, O-Train Line 1 will close between Tunney’s Pasture to Rideau stations:


  • Trains will only run between Blair and uOttawa stations.

  • R1 replacement bus service will run between Tunney’s Pasture and Hurdman stations.

  • E1 Shuttle Express bus service will run seven days a week during O-Train Line 1 service hours.

  • During peak periods, E1 Shuttle Express will run between Blair and Lyon stations.


OC Transpo appreciates your patience as they perform the necessary maintenance.



Help shape a city where older adults age well


The City is planning for the development of its Older Adult Plan and they want to hear from you!


In collaboration with partners, staff are consulting with residents and community agencies to determine the priorities and structure needed to facilitate the implementation of a new plan.


Your opinion matters. Please take a few moments to complete the survey using the link provided below: engage.ottawa.ca/oap


The Survey will be open until September 2, 2024. If you have questions, email olderadults@ottawa.ca


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