Congratulation to Jamil Jivani, for winning the Durham Riding by-election yesterday!
Interestingly, for the next federal election the name and boundaries of this riding will be changed. The Constitution of Canada requires that every 10 years, after the census is conducted, the number of electoral districts and their boundaries are revised to reflect population shifts and growth. After studies conducted by the federal election commissions, among the many riding boundary changes that were proposed and recently made final, the next federal election will have the current Durham Riding changed in 2 big ways. Currently it includes north Oshawa (north of Taunton Rd.) all of Clarington and Scugog Township. It will be renamed BOWMANVILLE-NORTH OSHAWA Riding; and it will not include Scugog Twp., which will form part of a new LAKE SIMCOE-UXBRIDGE Riding Tomorrow, Monday, March 4, 2024 is Election Day for Durham Riding! Since all of Ward 1 Oshawa (and half of Ward 2) is in Durham Riding I am sending out this BY-ELECTION REMINDER (called because the Riding's seat has been vacant since MP Erin O'Toole retired). Polls are open for 12 hours from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. If you have any questions about the process, here's the Elections Canada website https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=ele&dir=2024/35023&document=index&lang=e
FYI below is the Durham Riding map and profile. I put a heart over north Oshawa, which shows how all of Oshawa north of Taunton Rd is in Durham Riding, together with Scugog and Clarington. In addition to the free swim/skate sponsored by Oshawa Power this Friday March 8th as part of the launch for this year's Oshawa Centennial celebrations (see: https://www.oshawa.ca/.../parks.../100th-anniversary.aspx ) NOTE there is a FIRST-EVER FAMILY SPRING SPLASH scheduled for Saturday March 23rd at the Delpark Homes Centre! REGISTRATION for this new event opens at 9am Thurs March 7, 2024. The fun planned for the morning and afternoon sessions will begin with a bunny scavenger hunt &/or a family photo with a special bunny & a sweet treat to take home.
All participants must register in advance to secure their spot Space is limited; families are asked to register for one time slot only https://register.oshawa.ca/.../category/browse/SPRINGSPLASH Below is my summary of the agenda for tomorrow's 1:30 p.m. Economic & Development Services Committee meeting Here is a link to the detailed agenda
pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=9683825d-8679-45bf-9b9d-422ce01b0584&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English This Monday's Corporate & Finance Committee meeting at 9:30 a.m. has some interesting subject matters up for discussion. Here is a link to the detailed agenda https://calendar.oshawa.ca/.../04c402ae-8cb0-4541-9e54... and below is my 2 page summary with a couple of my take-aways.
In addition to the above there are 3 items pulled from the Information Package
CNCL-24-15 - Kennisha Dyer, Director, Rotary Club of Oshawa Submitting Correspondence concerning an In-Kind Grant Request for Ribfest 2024 (Formerly INFO-24-26) (All Wards) CNCL-24-16 - Correspondence submitted by Ara Saatjian concerning a Sign Variance Application for 33 Simcoe Street South (Formerly INFO-24-05) (Ward 4) CNCL-24-22 - Various Residents Submitting Correspondence Regarding the Harmony Creek Trail Extension Project (Formerly INFO-24-52) (Ward 1) and 3 NOTICES OF MOTION CNCL-24-18 - Notice of Motion - Traffic Controls at Verne Bowen/Riverton Streets and Conlin Road East (Ward 1) CNCL-24-19 - Notice of Motion - Proposed Ontario Get it Done Act (All Wards) CNCL-24-20 - Notice of Motion - Outdoor Ice Rink Portable Chillers (All Wards) Durham Region transit just installed new temporary bus stops on Conlin Rd E. The missing infrastructure on this Oshawa arterial road has raised SERIOUS SAFETY concerns for too long. Full-on effort requesting streetlights/sidewalks/transit stops are finally getting attention.
Notice of motion for TRAFFIC LIGHTS at Verne Bowen St/Riverton St and Conlin is on tomorrow's Oshawa Council meeting agenda. With the RAPID construction of new homes and LARGE NUMBER of new families taking occupancy in the massive N/E Oshawa urban development area (with 11 plans of subdivision on the north side of Conlin Rd. E.) the troubling traffic and pedestrian conditions along this still-seeming-rural-and-not-urban Conlin Rd East from Ritson Rd. N to Townline Rd. N. continue to be a growing problem. PLEASE USE CAUTION when driving on Conlin Rd. E. while the City and Region try to fast track the needed improvements to mitigate the current situation. Some of the developers building along here, Nideva, Sorbara, Medallion have been activated to advance sections of the Conlin Rd East sidewalk as soon as feasible. Kudos to Fieldgate, the one developer who went ahead early and installed a sidewalk from Coppermine to Grandview. Conlin Road E. Oshawa is planned to be 4 lanes, with three roundabouts, one at Wilson/Conlin and another at Grandview/Conlin where design is well underway, and the third between Ritson and Wilson at a yet un-named street. RALLY FOR UKRAINE at NOON today, Sat Feb 24, 2024, outside LVIV Hall, near Albert Street & Highway 401 MARKING 2ND YEAR SINCE THE INVASION OF UKRAINE. Darlene Matyczak says 'it would be absolutely heartwarming to see a lot of people show up on the bridge with us said Matyczak. I know it isn’t always possible – people work, people have family obligations – but on this Saturday afternoon, if we had a large turnout, it would show to us that Canada – the government of Canada, the officials of our city and our friends and neighbours here in Oshawa and in the Durham Region – they stand with Ukraine. They pray with us for peace and victory. That is the ultimate goal.'
The above word about the rally in Oshawa today is from Durham radio. The link cannot be copied here in response to Canadian government legislation, it can not be shared. IMO the government's power with blocking access to information like this IS OFFENSIVE OVERREACH Really, it is time Durham Region residents, businesses, institutions, associations, politicians & others with vision EN MASSE speak up and write the Province PRONTO about banning the Hwy 407E tolls! Yes, THE GET IT DONE ACT introduced in a Thursday February 15th News Release by the Minister of Transportation, may sound positive: "our government under the leadership of Premier Ford is on a mission to keep costs down for families and businesses,” Here's the link: news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004192/ontario-banning-road-tolls-freezing-drivers-licence-fees-to-keep-costs-down Note that the measures the Province of Ontario is expecting to kick off with the Get It Done Act "Ontario Banning Road Tolls, Freezing Driver’s Licence Fees to Keep Costs Down" for the Legislature's spring sitting beginning on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 has the goal of a ban on future tolls on all provincial highways "in order to help reduce household costs, build on the government’s commitments to date to streamline approvals for major infrastructure projects and housing, keep costs down for people and businesses, and support economic growth for long-term prosperity". But they are not eliminating existing highway tolls, the ban is only for FUTURE tolls. BURNING QUESTION: Why isn't the Province taking the tolls off the Hwy 407E. extension through Durham Region? This is the only tolled Ontario highway section NOT LEASED. Last year (effective June 2023) the province removed the tolls on the 412 and 418 north/south connectors to Hwy 401. This was accomplished when the Provincial government approved changes to the Highway 407 East Act, 2012, as part of the Fewer Fees, Better Services Act, passed in 2022. Clearly it is within the power of the province's elected to remove the tolls on the Hwy 407E extension from Brock Rd. to Hwy 35/115 and NOW IS THE TIME! Write the Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce who both tweeted about the proposed new legislation. Make the request not to ignore the elephant in the room with the GET IT DONE Act. Work on getting it right. Durham Region is hurting. Removing the tolls across Durham Region will not only boost the economy, help create new jobs, but it will ease the traffic burden on highway 401 east of Brock Rd. making it safer. Send this message to all Members of Provincial Government who represent Durham Riding and Premier Ford — that GTA East families and businesses need not be burdened with tolls as the GET IT DONE Act advocates, especially when it is within their power to help make this right in Durham Region! Emails and contact information: Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria Email: Prabmeet.Sarkaria@pc.ola.org Tel: 905-796-8669 or Ministry office: 416-327-9200 Minister of Education Stephen Lecce Email: Stephen.Lecce@pc.ola.org Tel.: 647-560-9700 or Ministry office: 416-325-2600 Ajax MPP PATRICE BARNES Email: Patrice.Barnes@pc.ola.org Tel.: 905-427-2060 Clarington, Scugog and North Oshawa (Durham Riding) MPP TODD MCCARTHY Email: todd.mccarthy@pc.ola.org Phone Tel: 905-697-1501 Oshawa MPP JENNIFER FRENCH Email: jfrench-qp@ndp.on.ca Tel: 905-723-2411 or 416-325-0117 Pickering , Uxbridge MPP PETER BETHLENFALVY Email: Peter.Bethlenfalvy@pc.ola.org Tel.: 905-509-0336 Toll free: 1-888-444-1730 Whitby MPP LORNE COE Email: Lorne.Coe@pc.ola.org Tel.: 905-430-1141 REMINDER: This winter Oshawa is conducting a SURVEY on the City's SNOW CLEARING OPERATIONS. Feedback received through the survey will be considered in adjusting winter operations.
Here is the link to fill out the survey https://connectoshawa.ca/snow NOTE: The City "encourages community members to complete a feedback form 48 hours after each winter storm this season." If you visit the City's Snow Clearing Activity webpage you will see the latest snow event started Feb 15 and ended Feb 16, 2024. So now is the time to get your feedback in! Each winter snowfall I receive many calls as a City Councillor. Some are from residents who live on a court or street with a bend or centre median and find the plow driver is driving in a direction that results in an excessive size windrow. Operations staff indicate they make the effort for new plow drivers to learn the correct method to minimize this. However, it still seems to happen. But perhaps the greatest number of calls relate to the delay in the City clearing snow from the sidewalk/windrows under the Snow Clearing Assistance Program. Under the snow clearing priority system the assistance program timeline is spelled out as “No later than 5 p.m. the second day following the end of a storm.” Many are asking why can't the Assistance Program sidewalk/windrow clearing plow not be scheduled to follow the street plow within a couple of hours. Imo it is a good question to ask. Hopefully interested Oshawans sending this message are heard and improvements made! The Province should remove Hwy 407 tolls as the Region of Durham is requesting to avoid heavy traffic disruption during the construction widening Winchester Rd. during two construction seasons. (see letter sent to Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria below)
The soon-to-be-constructed NEW ARBORWOOD RECREATIONAL PAVED TRAIL SECTION plus PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, will extend the existing north east Oshawa trail along Harmony Creek on the EAST SIDE of Grandview St. N. behind Esterbrook Drive. Note that at this time the City is looking for feedback to be considered as part of the design and related to accessibility, such as rest areas, viewing areas, and amenities along the trail.
Questions: call or email Project Manager, Sophia Wouters, at 905-436-3311 Ext 2004, swouters@oshawa.ca The extension will begin just beyond the Esterbrook Stormwater retention pond, where the trail currently ends. Here the new trail will go east and cross the Harmony Creek at a elevated bridge to be constructed behind Arborwood Parkette. Then it continues NORTH (on the east side of the creek, west of ARBORWOOD DR and west of KUNKING CRT) and includes a pedestrian crossing at WOODSTREAM AVE, and ends at Conlin Rd E Copied below is a map staff posted yesterday on the City's website and here is a link to the Notice of the Trail Study https://www.oshawa.ca/.../notice-to-extend-the-harmony... and here is the CALL FOR PUBLIC FEEDBACK, OPEN UNTIL 4pm MON, FEB 12, 2024 : https://www.oshawa.ca/.../parks-planning-and-development... Note there also is good news that the bulk of the trail construction costs were approved under a grant from the Canadian government. Although this trail extension was planned over a decade ago and endorsed by Oshawa Council with the 2015 Oshawa Active Transportation Master Plan, as well as being on the City's Development Charges By-law, funding for it was secured recently when the City was awarded a $1,500,000 Federal Active Transportation Fund Grant towards the construction costs. Below is a list of the applications on the Oshawa Committee of Adjustment Meeting Agenda for this Wednesday Jan 24, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m. For more details see here: https://www.oshawa.ca/.../resou.../COA/2024-01-24-Agenda.pdf In addition to the many new accessory apartments, increasing in number each year, actually amounting to over 500 new basement apartments in Oshawa in the past 2 years....there is one application, A-2023-138 for the new development project on Lockie Dr. and Harmony Rd N., that in my opinion is quite troublesome. After the public process for City Council approving the developer's plan of subdivision last term of Council, the developer Conlin (Oshawa) 130 acres is now seeking major changes at the Committee of Adjustments for its block townhome plans. Knowing that City Council has no say in Committee of Adjustment decisions, it seems outrageous to me that the developer is requesting the widespread changes it is after: "reduced yard depths, reduced landscaped open space abutting the internal road, reduced visitor parking & density as well as requesting increased building height, & to permit parking & accessory structures in the front yard". For a developer of a large project seeming to push the envelope in this way imo erodes Oshawa's future urban landscape and good planning and design efforts. See in comments below the list, more on this particular application Here are details on the Conlin (Oshawa) 130 Acres Inc. application to the Committee of Adjustments: Reduce the Minimum Front Yard Depth from 6.0m to 5.5m Reduce the Minimum Interior Side Yard Depth from 3.0m to 1.5m Reduce the Minimum Interior Side Yard &Rear Yard Depth Abutting a Residential Zone: from 9.0m to 2.5m Reduce the Minimum Rear Yard Depth from 7.5m to 2.5m Change the Maximum Height from 10.5m to 12.5 Change the Maximum Height For Any Building Located Less Than 11.0m from a Residential Zone from 9.0m to 11.5m Reduce the Min Landscaped Open Space Abutting a Residential Zone from 4.5m to 1m Reduce the Min Landscaped Open Space in the Yard abutting the Common Elements Condominium Road for Rear Lane Block Townhouse Parcels of Tied Land from 50% to 0% Reduce the Minimum Landscaped Open Space in the Yard abutting the Common Elements Condominium Road for all Block Townhouse Parcels of Tied Land other than Rear Lane Block Townhouse Parcels from 50% to 45% Change Visitor Parking in the Front Yard where it is not permitted to be permitted Reduce the Minimum Distance of Parking Area to Lockie Drive Street Line from individual townhouse unit driveway only from 3.0m to 1m Reduce the Minimum Visitor Parking spaces per dwelling unit from 0.35 to .30 spaces Change Accessory Building or Structure in the Front Yard from Not Permitted to Be Permitted Increase Minimum Residential Density units per hectare from 48 to 60 Lockie Drive and Harmony Rd. N. (n/w) corner Conlin and Harmony
Further to the changes Conlin (Oshawa) 130 Acres Inc. is asking at Wednesday's Committee of Adjustment meeting here is a copy of the site plan Good article in Oshawa This Week by writer Danny Gallagher about the vacant lot in the historic Olive Avenue row houses being turned into a new home. It was interesting to learn a bit more about the old 'Staceyville' in Oshawa and how this lot, vacant for more than 45 years, is about to get a new life
Oshawa's Outdoor ice rinks are Officially Open Today! Free skating at the natural outdoor rinks at either Delpark Homes Centre (1661 Harmony Rd. N.) or at Stone St Park (1535 Cedar St.) Hours at Delpark Homes Centre are 9 am to 10 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 9 pm on weekends (located at southeast sport field near DHC's main entrance. The rink at Stone Street Park is open daily from 9 to 9. Note that Outdoor Rinks may experience adjusted hours of operation or temporary closures due to weather or ice conditions. To stay informed about the latest operational status call 905-436-3311 and saying "outdoor rinks" or dial ext. 2385. In the event of a closure, signage will be posted at the rink locations. View scheduled times for outdoor leisure skating, stick and puck and shinny hockey at Oshawa.ca/OutdoorRinks or through posted signage at the rinks. ►Benches are located next to the rinks for skaters to put on skates and helmets. ►Only persons wearing skates or sledges are permitted on the ice. ►C.S.A. approved hockey helmets are strongly recommended for all skaters and appropriate hockey equipment for stick and puck and shinny hockey. ►Rinks are monitored hourly by City of Oshawa staff. Report any concerns to the Delpark Homes Centre by calling 905-436-5455 or South Oshawa Community Centre at 905-436-5474. ►Washroom access is available at Delpark Homes Centre from 9 am to 10 pm Mon to Fri and 9 to 9 on weekends, and at the South Oshawa Community Centre from 9 to 9 Visit Oshawa.ca/OutdoorRinks for additional information. Wednesday Jan 10th from 10am-1pm visit a Pop-Up table at Delpark Homes Centre with METROLINX! Check it out if you have questions about the Bowmanville Extension, Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit, and GO Expansion.
For more details see here: www.oshawa.ca/en/news/metrolinx-notice-stop-by-and-say-hi.aspx NEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS at GRANDVIEW St. N. and GREENHILL/ESTERBROOK intersection are being installed and expected to be operational before the end of January, 2024. Backstory -these lights are to prepare for the eventual opening of the GREENHILL AVE. EXTENSION TO HARMONY RD. N.
The below photos taken this morning show not only where the new traffic lights are being installed, but also include a couple of pictures where the missing part of the Greenhill Ave extension remains incomplete. In addition, see the 2 Attachments below copied from just the released Report ED-24-08, which many residents should find of great interest — Attachment 1 is a map showing the property ownership and Attachment 4 is the site plan for the new high school I have been inquiring for the past 4 years when the Greenhill Ave extension will be open, as it sure looked to be nearing completion during this time. However, as recently as two months ago staff were still indicating it would only be completed in conjunction with the development of the land in the immediate area and that there were outstanding matters related to property ownership and development. Now, on the Agenda for the MONDAY Jan 8, 2024, 1:30 p.m. Economic Development Services Committee meeting there is Report-24-08 (made public yesterday, Wed. Jan 3, 2024) with clearer details about what is happening with the land development for the future Greenhill extension and the planned Durham Catholic District School Board high school and the developer 'Sitwell' owned land. Here is a link to the 19 page report pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=14605 Oshawa New Year's Eve family fun event at Delpark Homes Centre 6 - 9 pm Sunday Dec 31, 2023
For details about the activities, from swimming, skating, magic show, movies, crafts, etc. see: https://www.oshawa.ca/en/parks-recreation-and-culture/oshawa-celebrates.aspx This Oshawa Snow Clearing Feedback Form is a good City survey for Oshawans to respond to this winter! https://connectoshawa.ca/snow/surveys/snowff You can help see improvements in the City's snow operations by sharing your concerns and suggestions.
Snow Clearing Feedback Form | Connect Oshawa Below is a list of of the Items on the Consent Agenda for the Oshawa Council meeting, Monday Dec 11, 2023 (last scheduled Council meeting of 2023). Council members may pull items for discussion, questions, referral or for a recorded vote. Items not pulled are considered approved under the Consent Agenda. For more details on the Agenda Items see: https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
One item on the meeting Agenda which does not appear on the Consent Agenda list below (because it was forwarded from the Economic Development Committee to City Council without a recommendation and will require a direction) is : ED-23-216 - Appraisal Reports and Amended Options for Certain City-owned land located on the south side of Athol Street East, between Celina and Albert Street (Ward 4) 19 applications on the Committee of Agenda meeting this Wednesday Dec 13 2023 @ 6pm.
For more details on these applications listed below see https://www.oshawa.ca/.../resou.../COA/2023-12-13-Agenda.pdf At the December 1, 2023 Special Council Meeting, Council passed the Mayor's City of Oshawa 2024 Budget with its 3.89% tax levy increase.
For details see here: 2024 Oshawa City Budget adopted - City of Oshawa |