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(Ottawa) – March is Fraud Prevention Month and the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) wants to equip residents with information on how to avoid some common scams.

 “We have been seeing a significant increase in grandparent schemes in the Ottawa area, where the person identifies themselves as a family member in crisis and asks for immediate financial help, typically in the form of cash for bail or lawyer fees,” said Fraud Unit Staff Sergeant Cameron Graham. “It’s important to educate yourself on some of these more common scams to avoid falling victim.”

 According to our partners at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), it received reports of $530 million in victim losses last year. This was nearly a 40 percent increase from 2021, where 75 percent of those reports were tied to cybercrime. The CAFC estimates that only between 5 and 10 percent of victims report fraud-related incidents.

 Over the next month, the OPS will share some common scams and how to counter them on our social media channels (@OttawaPolice on Twitter, @ottawapolice on Instagram, and OttawaPoliceService on Facebook). Watch your social media feeds for helpful information.

 “It’s important that adult children look after parents who are not comfortable with how computers work,” said S/Sgt. Graham. “A lot of these scams target the elderly online.”

 Common frauds include: Investment scams, spear phishing, and phishing scams. You can read more about types of frauds and how to avoid them by visiting the CAFC website.

Cst Brad Burleau  #1835
Ottawa Police Service
Community Safety Services
613-236-1222  ext 8591
burleaub@ottawapolice.ca

 Make The Right Call:
Life-threatening emergency or crime in progress: 9-1-1
Telephone report: 613-236-1222  ext. 7300
Online Reporting: : http://bit.ly/1rHsIT1 [bit.ly]

FHCA UPDATE: Winter 2023

LOCAL CONSTRUCTION MATTERS

Hydro Ottawa Policy Replacement Project in Faircrest Heights (February 27-April 7 2023)

Hydro Ottawa will be replacing hydro poles on Heath Street, Balmoral Place, Norwood Avenue, Logan Avenue, Roger Road and Alta Vista Drive with the longer term goal to prevent larger and longer unplanned outages from occurring in the future. Customers will receive a written notice advising them of these updates and notice informing them of any interruption to their power supply. We can also expect increased construction vehicle presence. Specific questions can be sent to Peter Mierzwa, System Designer, at 613-223-7154 or via email at cr@hydroottawa.com.

Tree Trimming and Power Outage in Faircrest Heights (March 2 2023)

Hydro Ottawa and Asplundh will be completing tree trimming work on Smyth Road, Simpson Road, Highland Terrace, Roger Road, Highridge Avenue and South Haven Place on Thursday March 2, 2023 to prevent trees and branches from coming into contact with overhead power lines. Planned power outage will be between 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and is anticipated to impact some 50 customers. Specific questions can be sent to Greg Tipman, at 613-738-5499 ext. 7358 or via email at cr@hydroottawa.com.

VACANT UNIT TAX

Reminder that all owners of residential property in Ottawa must complete a declaration of occupancy for each of their properties every year. This declaration must be completed by March 16 2023 on My.Service.Ottawa.ca or at Ottawa.ca/VUT or the property will be deemed vacant and a tax of 1% of the assessed value of the property will be charged. If you have not yet received a letter contact the City by email at VUT_ILF@Ottawa.ca or call Revenue Services at 613-580-2444.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Proposed Development at CHEO Smyth Road Campus

The Ottawa General Hospital is planning a number of upgrades to the current campus on Smyth Road. Phase 1A comprises a 7 storey parking garage for 1050 spaces to be built over an existing outdoor parking lot at the Hospital Ring Road and the entrance to the General Hospital. This parking garage replaces loss of spaces and also provide additional spaces for CHEO’s future growth. A decorative architectural screen is being planned for the façade facing the Ring Road, to reduce the visual impact of the structure and to give it more architectural interest and curb appeal. Phase 1B comprises a proposed new 20, 000 square foot “1Door4Care” public-private establishment will be built over a separate existing parking lot at the Hospital Ring Road and the entrance to the Children’s Hospital. This two part project is separate and apart from a proposed Ronald McDonald House expansion to build a 3 storey addition to provide for an additional 22 guest suites.

Proposed Development at Ottawa General Hospital Riverside Drive Campus

An updated site plan and documents have been filed with the City to develop this property to create a seniors care community consisting of a Long Term Care Home (256 beds) and a 15 storey registered retirement home (270 beds) and shared amenity space in the second phase.

Re-Zoning Exercise

On Jan. 31, 2023, the City’s Planning and Housing Committee approved revised timelines for the comprehensive re-zoning process. The re-zoning process will be lengthy, with the first draft of revised by-laws to be published in the first quarter of 2024. The final product will not be completed until the fourth quarter of 2025. The first step will be the release of seven Zoning Discussion Papers for public comment in late 2023. The Discussion Papers focus on key policy directions in the already approved Official Plan that must be implemented in the Zoning By-law: Climate Change, Resiliency and Public Health; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Land Use; Neighbourhood Zoning; Neighbourhood Character; Trees and Rural Zoning Issues. These papers will underpin the policy framework around the new zoning. We will share a copy of the Papers once released.

Information Session on Provincial Bills 109 and 23 and impact on future development in Ottawa

On March 7th at 6:30 pm City of Ottawa Planning Department is hosting an online information session on the impacts of these provincial bills on the City’ new Official Plan and other planning matters. If interested, you may register for this event at https://engage.ottawa.ca/provincial-legislation-planning/news_feed/march-7th-public-information-session

NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFETY

There continue to be a number of car break ins in the ward, and while Faircrest Heights seems to see less than most parts of the ward, there was a recent attempted break in on Briar Avenue. Please remember to lock your cars and to not keep an valuables in sight. Canterbury Community Association is hosting a Town Hall on Safety matters on Tuesday February 28, 2023 from 7-9 pm (2815 Arch Street, Hall B) and the Ottawa Policy Service will be on hand to discuss crime and public safety in the ward in the event you would like to be further apprised of ward safety issues.

COUNCILLOR MARTY CARR

Councillor Carr is staffing up her office and can be reached at marty.carr@ottawa.ca. Sara Falkowsky at Sarah.falkowsky@ottawa.ca is her point of contact on community issues.
The Councillor’s weekly e-newsletter is a good source of information. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, send an email to either Marty or Sarah.Given the delayed release of the Zoning Policy Papers until late March we will have a virtual FHCA meeting in spring 2023.

Wishing all a good end to winter.
Judy Korecky
President – Faircrest Heights Community Association

New Councillor Marty Carr

Councillor Marty Carr is in the process of reaching out to key contacts within the Ward, at the City, and other groups to get up to speed on files. During a recent meeting with me as President of FHCA, we discussed the Riverside hospital development (height and massing, impact on parking and the need to maintain a bike path), the impacts of Bill 23 (More Houses Built Faster Act) and the approved Official Plan, the upcoming zoning exercise, among other issues. FHCA will continue to engage with the Councillor on an ongoing basis.

Councillor Carr is staffing up her office and can be reached at marty.carr@ottawa.ca. Sara Falkowsky at sarah.falkowsky@ottawa.ca is her point of contact on community issues.

The Councillor’s e-newsletter is being revamped and will be set up by early January. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, send an email to either Marty or Sarah.

You can meet Marty and neighbours this Saturday 10 am to 1 pm at the Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink at Canterbury Park for a Holiday Skate in support of the Blair Court Community Food Bank (Stand Claus Visit, Skating, Camp Fire, Hot Chocolate, Gift Bags, Photos). Please bring a non-perishable donation.

Bill 23/ More Houses Faster Act

As you may be aware this Bill was rushed through provincial Parliament and approved on November 28 2022 despite a large number of concerns, with the exception of the development community, from all other key stakeholders, including municipal planning departments, municipalities, environmental groups, housing groups, heritage groups, residents, and most recently Parks Canada.

The City of Ottawa Treasurer has warned Council of the financial implications of this Act that will likely have to be born in large part by residents through higher taxes and diminished services.

FHCA is following this Bill/Act closely and made a joint submission with the Alta Vista Community Association to the Standing Committee studying the Bill (click here to read submission). FHCA and AVCA have written an article on the Bill that can be found in the latest issue of Vistas (Pages 1, 14 and 15). We will continue to closely follow the implementation of this bill that will among other things, speed up the City of Ottawa zoning review process as relevant bylaw provisions related to this Bill must be implemented within one year.

Vacant Unit Tax

Most of you should have received a letter on this new tax. All owners of residential property in Ottawa must complete a declaration of occupancy for each of their properties every year. This declaration must be completed between January 1 and March 16 2023 on My.Service.Ottawa.ca or at Ottawa.ca/VUT or the property will be deemed vacant and a tax of 1% of the assessed value of the property will be charged. If you have not yet received a letter contact the City by email at VUT_ILF@Ottawa.ca or call Revenue Services at 613-580-2444.

Neighbourhood Safety

There continue to be a number of car break ins in the ward. Please remember to lock your cars and to not keep any valuables in sight.

The safety upgrades at Billings Avenue and Lynda Lane are advancing and are scheduled to be completed by Christmas. There is new signage and a cross walk with lights for pedestrians and cyclists crossing Lynda Lane as well as a better bike connection between the bike path through the field and the bike path on the west side of Lynda Lane south of Billings Avenue.

Faircrest Heights Community Association

This has been a busy fall with the election events and various planning issues. As a recap FHCA was involved in three municipal events (Meet the Ward Candidates, Ward Candidate Debate (Debate Questions Committee) and the Mayoral Candidates Debate (Debate Questions Committee). On the planning front there was continued engagement on a number of issues including those referenced above as well as the Riverside Hospital Development, and submissions were made to the Committee of Adjustment regarding minor variances on the severance at Alta Vista/Crestview and on the re-development at 2055 Riverside Drive at Pleasant Park (to seek to address safety issues for residents driving and cycling down Pleasant Park).

Thanks to those residents who have stepped forward to pitch in with FHCA: Tom Saikaly, Ken Kary and Nina Dekker.

We had planned to have a FHCA virtual meeting after the new Council was in place, the approval of the new Official Plan (November 4th) and the release of the City of Ottawa Zoning Policy Papers (that were to closely follow Official Plan approval). However, as the release of these policy papers have now postponed to January to incorporate the new More Houses Built Faster Act we instead have a virtual FHCA meeting in early 2023.