Faircrest Heights
 Community Association

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President's Message

On behalf of all the residents of the Faircrest Heights Community, I would like to thank the members of your executive for their contribution to your community and the support they have given me over the past year. I would particularly like to acknowledge the effort Joyce Wright has made in bringing the Faircrest Heights Park to reality.

Below is a report of the possible options we may have with respect to the future of the green space associated with the Immaculate Heart of Mary School. I urge you to read the report carefully and cast your ballot as you see fit. If you have questions regarding this report there will be an opportunity to address them at the annual meeting on Monday November 9th

As I have mentioned in the past we are looking for volunteers. More specifically to fill the following positions on your executive;

  • Secretary

  • Treasurer

  • Oak Park Representative

Also, I want to remind you that I took on the position of President for a three year term which will end at the annual general meeting to be held in November 2010.I am not prepared to extend my term as President beyond that date as I have made other commitments. If you are willing to help or know someone who might be interested in helping with any of these positions please contact me at alemoine@rogers.com or call 613-737-4177.

Looking forward to seeing you at the fall meeting on Monday November 9th. Please remember to complete and return your ballot.

Tony Le Moine


Oakpark

The Oakpark Retirement Community sponsors morning concerts on the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. On November 12th there will be a Solo Jazz piano with Garrett Leaver. The concerts are free but they ask that you RSVP at 613-260-7144. A complete list for the next few months will be found on our Notice Board at the AGM

 
Billings Playground

The City has informed us that the wooden play structure at the park has reached the end of its life cycle and is scheduled to be replaced. As a great deal of community involvement went into the original, the new plan is designed to be in keeping with the original structure. The new play structure drawings will be on display at the AGM. The work will be done from November 17th to 19th.

 


Faircrest Heights Park

Have you been to our park on Smyth Road, just opposite the Ottawa General? One can see people wandering through the area and others sitting for a few moments to relax on one of the park benches. There have been some very flattering comments from residents and visitors to the hospital about the design and location of the park.

There was a flurry of activity and excitement a few weeks ago when the day finally arrived to plant the garden. A huge truck arrived to dump a large load of mulch near the site. Then the plants, chosen carefully by Ritchie’s Feed & Seed, came at just the right moment for Yards Unlimited landscapers to prepare the area and put in the plants. Within two days we had an attractive designer garden and everything was neat and tidy.

Two more benches will be installed soon and the City is already replacing some of the trees which did not make it through the summer.

It has taken many years but at last we have our Faircrest Heights Park.

Look forward to the ‘official’ opening next spring when the trees and plants will be in full bloom.


Immaculate Heart of Mary School Playing Field

Located on the south side of Billings Avenue east of Ronald Ave.

Councillor Hume has indicated that if he sees documented evidence of community support, he will argue in council for exercising the prerogative of the City to have first refusal on this playing field, whenever the School Board decides to dispose of it. If the City did acquire the land, it would be available for ‘public use’. Possible uses could include a soccer field, a basketball court, or a children’s garden among others.

When this possibility was raised at the spring public meeting of the association, there were some who indicated that a residential development would be a more satisfactory alternative. In order to make a decision on the possible future use of this land it is important to understand the development options currently available to a potential owner.

The current Ottawa City official plan calls for higher population densities for new communities, and for raising the population densities in existing older communities such as ours. This means that the development industry is being encouraged by the official plan to build multi-storey residential buildings.

The playing field site is currently zoned institutional (I1a). According to the official plan, a developer would be able to apply for rezoning of the site to allow mid- to high-density housing. A residential zoning could allow a wide mix of residential building forms ranging from detached houses to mid-high rise (four to five stories) apartment dwellings.

It goes without saying that any developer would endeavour to maximize the return by building to the highest density possible. The result would probably be buildings that are not in context with the single-family dwellings in the neighbourhood and result in a substantial increase in traffic.

This is why your executive has decided to ”recommend to you, the Faircrest Heights community, that the City acquires the land for public use, if and when it becomes available”.

To obtain a consensus from the community on this issue we are asking all residents in the Faircrest Heights community to complete a ballot that asks the following question:

DO YOU SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE EXECUTIVE OF THE FAIRCREST HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION THAT THE CITY MOVE TO OBTAIN THE LAND ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL PROPERTY, IF IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND HOLD IT FOR PUBLIC USE?

In the newsletter that was recently delivered to you home, there was a separate ballot that was included.  I urge you to register your opinion on this issue and at the same time support your association by completing the membership form.

Thank you

Anthony Le Moine

President

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President - Tony Le Moine


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Last update - 06 December, 2009

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