We are local residents and concerned citizens who have this week received notice or been made aware of a City of Ottawa Planning and Environment Committee meeting scheduled for 14 September 2010 which is to consider a Report to the Committee and to Council, dated 10 August 2010, regarding the proposed Zoning changes for Lansdowne Park in accordance with the Lansdowne Partnership Plan;

This is the first notice local residents have had of the Report and the specific zoning amendments recommended by the Report, due to be considered next week;

The City has not previously undertaken consultation with the local community regarding this Report or these recommendations;

The undersigned local residents and concerned citizens have serious reservations about the opinions and conclusions in the Report, and more importantly serious concerns about the development the Zoning amendments will allow, including:

     Removal of parkland (Sylvia Holden Park, being known municipally as 945 Bank Street and being known locally as that greenspace with mature trees on the south side of Holmwood Avenue stretching from Bank Street to O'Connor Street and bordered by a chain link fence from the paved areas of "Lansdowne Park" please see attached schematic overleaf);

    Undue adverse effects upon the quality of life from the removal of parkland for residential and commercial development;

    Blocking of light due to inordinately high buildings and limited setbacks that would be permitted under the requested zoning amendment;

    Creation of a "canyon wall" of buildings up to 30m (100 feet) high directly facing residential areas that will not resemble or be sensitive to low profile, two-sided streetscapes found elsewhere in the neighbourhood, nor reflect the blocking pattern of the Glebe;

    Creation of 18 hour-a-day activities throughout the year that are not presently supported or expected in the nearby residential community;

    Increased on-street parking on Holmwood Avenue and surrounding residential streets;

Until the City provides appropriate consultation with the local community over these concerns, we will not consider our concerns have been addressed;

Therefore, we the undersigned call upon the Committee to reject Recommendation 1 of the Report and not recommend its adoption by City Council.

Dated:  18 August 2010