New ward boundary? OCA objects.
Proposed ward boundary change and how it affects Overbrook
Letter to Councillors objecting to proposed change
Ward boundary proposal and how it affects Overbrook
On December 9, City Council will be voting on NEW WARD BOUNDARIES.
We need you to tell the City that you want all of Overbrook to stay in Ward 13, Rideau Rockliffe and not be split between Ward 13 and Ward 12, Rideau-Vanier. The City is proposing to shift the northern boundary of our Ward 13 from where it is now between McArthur Avenue and Donald Street to Donald St from the Rideau River to Brant St.
The Overbrook Community Association is advocating to keep the current boundary because the proposed change:
gives priority to boundaries that run along streets over listening to residents.
divides a neighbourhood that is building capacity and cohesion among culturally, socially and economically diverse residents.
was recommended after public consultations for the city-wide ward review were closed, giving us no opportunity for input.
Overbrook would be split into two wards. If you live on the streets below, you would live in Rideau-Vanier (Ward 12):
Stevens, south side - North River Rd and Marguerite Ave between Stevens and Donald - Wolff St - Ontario St - Donald St, south side from Rideau River to Brant St - Beaudry St. - Eve St. -Spartan Ave - Fullerton Ave - Lola St, from Donald to Spartan - Brant St, west side.
VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION, too, by contacting Mayor Watson and City Councillors by Tuesday, December 8: for contact information, click here.
Le 9 décembre, le conseil municipal votera sur les NOUVELLES LIMITES DES QUARTIERS.
Nous avons besoin que vous disiez à la ville que vous voulez qu’Overbrook reste dans le quartier 13, Rideau-Rockliffe et qu’il ne soit pas coupé en deux entre le Quartier 13 et le Quartier 12, Rideau-Vanier. La ville veut déplacer la limite nord de notre quartier, de son emplacement actuel à mi-chemin entre McArthur ave. et la rue Donald, à la rue Donald, de la rivière Rideau à la rue Brant.
L'association d'Overbrook veut garder la limite actuelle parce que ce changement:
accorde plus d’importance à avoir des limites qui suivent de belles lignes droites plutôt que d’écouter les résidents.
divise un quartier qui travaille fort pour renforcer la cohésion entre des résidents culturellement, socialement et économiquement divers.
a été recommandée après que les consultations publiques se soient terminées, et nous n'avons pas été consultés.
Overbrook serait divisé en deux quartiers. Si vous vivez sur les rues plus bas, vous seriez dans Rideau-Vanier (quartier 12):
Stevens, côté sud - North River Rd et Marguerite Ave entre Stevens et Donald - Wolff St - Ontario St - Donald St, côté sud de Rideau River à Brant St - Beaudry St - Eve St -Spartan Ave - Fullerton Ave - Lola St, de Donald à Spartan - Brant St, côté ouest.
EXPRIMEZ VOTRE OPPOSITION en contactant le maire Watson et les conseillers municipaux avant le mardi 8 décembre: vous trouverez les coordonnées en cliquant ici.
OCA letter to Councillors: Strong objection to proposed ward boundary change
OCA sent the following letter this morning, copied to Mayor Watson and all City Councillors.
Overbrook Community Association
Re: Strong objection to proposed boundary change between existing Ward 12 (Rideau-Vanier) and Ward 13 (Rideau-Rockcliffe)
Dear Councillor King and Councillor Fleury:
The Overbrook Community Association wishes to voice our strong objection to the proposed changes to the southern boundary between proposed wards RW-16 (Rideau-Rockcliffe) and RW-17 (Rideau-Vanier) as recommended by a last minute change at the recent meeting of the Finance and Economic Development Committee. We do not support that recommended change. We support the retention of the existing southern boundary between the two existing wards (current Wards 12 and 13). Your support and that of other councillors copied this letter is sought to address this matter at the upcoming Council meeting when final ward boundary recommendations will be voted on.
We were very surprised to see in their final recommendations that the consultants leading the ward review recommended moving Rideau-Vanier’s southern border to the north to McArthur Avenue without prior public discussion. As you know there had been no proposal for such a change during recent consultations in advance of the Option 6. The Finance and Economic Development Committee then responded to the justifiable concern expressed by Vanier residents over impacts to their communities and that of minority interests. The Committee’s response was not to restore the current boundary as requested, but to move it southward to Donald Street and this with providing no opportunity for input from Overbrook residents.
There was zero consultation or notification to those affected residents shown in the below map. The Vanier problem of community splitting or truncation then became one of an Overbrook problem with 17% of the residential area of our community proposed to be removed and added to Rideau-Vanier. Both proposed changes have been the result of a badly flawed process.
Vanier and Overbrook are good neighbours but we are distinct communities with different histories and characters. It is in the best interests of both communities to retain the current boundaries. It helps each of us continue our efforts to build strong and cohesive neighbourhoods, which is far more important than the administrative convenience of having boundaries that run along major streets.
Please see below resolution wording that references the balancing of components of ward boundary review and how that should properly apply to Vanier and Overbrook. We request that you make every effort to ensure the current southern ward boundary is retained. It is the only fair solution for both communities.
Sincerely,
Heather Amys
President, Overbrook Community Association
c.c. Marjolaine Provost, Director at Large/OCA Media spokesperson
OCA Board of Directors, Mayor Watson, City Councillors, Local OCDSB Trustee Ellis, neighbouring CAs, media
WHEREAS the ward boundaries proposed for RW-16 (Rideau-Rockcliffe) and RW-17 (Rideau-Vanier) by the Finance and Economic Development Committee need further modification to better balance the components of the ward boundary review; and,
WHEREAS the components of geographic communities of interest and minority interest are to be balanced against the component of natural/physical boundaries such as main roadways, nonetheless a main roadway boundary should not be used as the prime component if it will give raise to detrimental impacts on communities of interest and minority interests; and,
WHEREAS moving the south ward boundary to the north (McArthur Avenue) would gravely impact the former City of Vanier or moving it to the south (Donald Street) would likewise impact Overbrook a neighbourhood of Ottawa (and former Police Village of Overbrook) such that a significant portion of either community would be lost one to the other or vice versa; and,
WHEREAS both communities strongly believe that the existing ward boundary, not a main road, should be maintained as there is not ability is select a main road as ward boundary that would not divide or truncate existing communities of interest;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the recommendations for a new City of Ottawa ward boundary structure as set out in the report titled, “Recommended Ward Boundaries: Final Report (November 13, 2020),” be further amended as follows:
That the southern boundary between RW-16 (Rideau-Rockcliffe) and RW-17 (Rideau-Vanier) be maintained at its current location mid-way between McArthur Avenue and Donald Street with it extending eastward to Moorvale Street and then north to De L’Église Street.
