Westboro residents come together against over-intensification in their community
Over recent years, many Westboro residents have approached the Community Association expressing concern about overly intensive triplex development in our neighbourhoods. This development has been well outside the limits of existing R3 zoning for three-unit dwellings, and is characterized by eliminating virtually all green space and squeezing two triplexes onto single lots previously occupied by modest single-family homes.
Prompted to action when multiple triplexes were proposed on their streets, groups of neighbours on Edison, Roosevelt and nearby Cole Avenues launched a campaign to urge the City to find a more suitable intensification solution that would maintain the character of Westboro neighbourhoods. By creating an email group (SaveWestboro) and pounding the pavement delivering flyers, this small group of residents brought together over 100 of their Westboro neighbours to join them in their campaign.
Their strategy worked. On Wednesday, Ottawa City Council passed a motion by Kitchissippi Councillor Jeff Leiper to enact an “Interim Control Bylaw” that will prevent developers from getting approval for triplexes that are too big for the lots, that don’t meet the requirements of the R3 zoning, and that require approval of “minor variances” by the Committee of Adjustment. The Bylaw will be in place for one year, while the City conducts a study about the suitability and compatibility of triplexes in this area.
For more information on this neighbourhood initiative, please contact the organizers atsavewestboro@icloud.com
You can make a difference too. Join us at our AGM- Your Community Association needs you!
The success of the SaveWestboro community group shows how a small group of neighbours can make a big difference. You can make a difference too. Join us at our Annual General Meeting this Tuesday, October 16 at Churchill Seniors Centre (agenda attached below) and hear about the work we do. Your Community Association needs new members who can bring their talents to our community.
What can you bring to your community? You can serve on our board of directors or you can work on ad hoc projects. We need people to fill our executive positions. We need people to plan our social and cultural activities, to manage our website, and to liaise with the Westboro business association. Do you have a specific skill? We would love to create a pool of professionals such as lawyers, engineers, communications specialists, technical experts, designers or architects on whom we can call periodically as resource persons to review documents or help draft a response to a particular project.
What can you get from your community involvement? The chance to meet your neighbours. The chance to connect with other community associations, the city, and nonprofit organizations on the issues that matter to you. Work on projects related to the environment, housing, our built heritage and transportation. Or simply work with others on your street to solve a local problem.
Please plan to attend the AGM. Membership is only $10 ($20/family). If you can’t attend, you can download a membership application at the following URL:
https://lovewestboro.wordpress.com/membership-forms-for-new-members/
Questions or interest in becoming a board member or community resource person? Email us athelloWestboro@yahoo.ca or contactnormmorrisson@rogers.com or karenljohnson@sympatico.ca