A for profit entity has been lobbying the City of Ottawa, to build a large 81-unit affordable/mixed rental housing development, on Kennedy Lane, Orleans, which would intrude into the middle of the River Ridge neighbourhood’s only greenspace. It would be located within a few feet of a children’s playground, wedged between a quiet park, walking path, church and a large senior’s home. This cannot be supported, as is, due to the following concerns:

1)  Traffic hazard caused by the addition of 120 to 150 more vehicles funnelled onto Kennedy Lane by a single exit, which would routinely require a left turn into the only entry/exit point at Prestone Dr. It is an intersection at the top of a blind hill and on a curve.

2)  Endangerment to senior pedestrians, in the area, who use walkers or other assisted mobility devices, due to increased traffic.

3)  Endangerment to small children, in the playground that abuts the proposed location, due to increased vehicular activity on streets and in parking lots.

4)  Deny on street parking that is already limited because of inadequate space of 61 parking spaces and “No Parking” area streets (e.g. – Monica Cres.). This would affect users of the adjacent park, especially during sporting events, due to vehicle overcrowding. Parking for visitors to the seniors’ home would further exacerbate the problem.  

5)  Chronic flooding in the area, which has gone unabated for many years. Only assurances from the city with no specific plan.

6)  Urbanising an otherwise quiet neighbourhood, with noise and loss of privacy. This would penalise long established homeowners, who paid a premium to back onto an established greenspace. Sound environmental policy says all existing greenspaces must be preserved and protected from the intrusion of urbanism.

7)  Negative effect on existing home values, according to local real estate agents.

8)  Destructive implementation of the government’s new “infill” policy.

9)  Availability of alternative current and future housing, made possible by the province’s newly liberalized housing legislation. The CMHC says Ottawa housing starts are at a 50-year high and climbing rapidly.

10)  Absence of any comprehensive risk management, traffic simulation or parking plan, contained in the Planning report. .

11)  Destruction of 21 mature trees, which abut and border the adjoining park.

12)  Myth about practical walking or cycling distance to local amenities (e.g. – Place d ’Orleans is 1.7 km away, on a steep hill that is icy and hazardous in the winter months.

13)  Limited input by affected area residents, confined to a few brief moments at a single Zoom meeting that was controlled by the city. 

14)  Failure of the developers or the city to consult the Community, such as an open in person (masks mandatory) meeting, to facilitate true 2-way consultation.