The Issues

Tyandaga

Naming the New City Park
After surveying several community groups the City has come up with three proposed names for the new park in Tyandaga. They are: “Escarpment Park”, “City View Park” and “Escarpment Heights Park”. What do you think? To vote on your choice for the name of the new park click here. 

Skateboarding
It’s amazing how things get distorted in the media!  As you know I am proposing a $100 fine for illegal and aggressive skateboarding and long-boarding on City roads. I am getting calls from people afraid that I am proposing a “ban” on skateboarding. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am a big supporter of skateboarding when it is done properly and safely. But, like many things, it is the minority who ruin it for everyone. There is a long history of unsafe, skate-boarding practices on public streets in Tyandaga. Sometimes young people race down streets in the dark at night. This activity is already illegal.  All I am proposing, on the advice of Police, is that we add a fine so that police can use their discretion to deal with the worst abusers. Staff are expected to report to a committee of Council on this issue in April.

Ian Road
The City is moving ahead with plans for the resurfacing of Ian Road, Bryanston Court, Crozier Court and Christina Court in 2012. A public meeting to show plans to the neighbours and respond to questions will be held Thursday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tyandaga Golf Club House.

Red Light Camera
The Region of Halton, as part of its traffic safety effort, is installing a red light camera at the intersection of Dundas and Brant Streets. This is one of two lights in Halton. Eventually there will be as many as twelve. The camera is still being tested but is expected to be operational by the end of February. It will photograph vehicles “running” red lights illegally, resulting in fines.

Annual Tyandaga Golf Course Report
Very poor weather early in the 2011 golfing season reduced revenues and rounds played. In the end the Tyandaga Golf Course had revenues of $1,225,288 and expenses of $1,202,769 resulting in a “profit” of $22,769 which goes into a reserve fund for future operations. The City operates the course as a separate business. Tax dollars are not used for its operations.

Beach/Maple

Green Space at Ecole Renaissance
I am pleased to advise you that the green space at the school has now been re-opened after school hours. The school has agreed to this on a trial basis with the hope that users will show greater respect for the property than in the past. Specifically, dogs are not to run free and animal poop is to be picked up. If the green space is abused again the school will be entirely within its rights to close it off. This space is not a “park” and the City has no jurisdiction over it.

Region of Halton will Support City Study of Residences on the Beach.
Following Burlington Council’s request, Halton Regional Council has agreed to the idea of studying the long term sustainability of the residential enclave on the Beach. This study will take place simultaneous with the broader and ongoing discussions about the future of the Beach Master Plan. The current plan calls for the eventual purchasing of all the remaining homes by government in order to complete the Waterfront Park. Obviously, this is a controversial policy. Now all sides seem willing to study the issue further. Meanwhile, the Region hosted a public meeting in Milton about the future of the Beach. This was a repeat of the much larger meeting held late last year in Burlington. While a variety of issues were discussed in Milton, there were no new developments.

More Doctors Coming to Ward One
McMaster Health Sciences has announced that it will locate its long anticipated Family Health Centre at Joseph Brant Hospital. The clinic will be made of up family doctors and students. It will consist of 15,000 square feet on two floors of the expanded hospital. It is hoped that the clinic will be in operation by the end of 2013, bringing more health services to Burlington residents.

Aldershot

Sign Bylaw – Public Meeting Monday
As you know the city is currently reviewing its sign bylaw. This includes a discussion about the large, mobile signs on Plains Road. The City is hosting a public meeting about the sign bylaw at 6:30 pm on Monday, February 13 at the Aldershot Arena Community Room, 494 Townsend Ave. Over the years I have received many complaints about the mobile signs, but in some cases they are necessary for the success of local businesses.  In recent months I have had discussions with both the Plains Road Village Vision (representing residents) and the Aldershot Village BIA (representing businesses) to discuss this matter.

Councillor Craven Open House in Aldershot
Wednesday, February 15, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Fortinos. For individual questions and concerns. No appointment required. Just drop by!

Redesign of Intersection
The second in a series of public meetings about the proposed redesign of the intersection of Plains, LaSalle and Waterdown Roads will be held on Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Matthews Church. The City is hoping to rebuild the intersection in 2014.

Falcon Issue to be Heard Next Month
The proposed construction of a four-storey condominium building on Falcon Blvd in Aldershot has raised issues and concerns for the past two years. Staff anticipate bringing their final recommendation on whether to approve the proposal, to a Community Development Committee meeting on the evening of Monday, March 26.  The staff report should be available a week earlier. If you wish to speak at this meeting (delegate) you need to contact the Committee Clerk, Danielle Pitoscia at 335-7600 ext. 7375

Mayor Goldring
During the Mayor’s recent “State of the City” address he commented on the positive changes taking place in Aldershot. …….”Plains Road is in the process of transitioning from an old suburban highway to a vibrant urban main street. The newer residential and commercial buildings have more cohesive design features that result in a more vibrant and attractive area of the City. There are many examples of this and the most recent is the brand new “Aldershot Library”.

Plains Road Team
Congratulations to Aldershot’s Plains Road Village Vision Group (PRVV) and the Village Business Improvement Area (BIA). The two groups have officially joined forces in the ongoing effort to improve Aldershot’s main street. At the recent B.I.A. annual meeting it was announced that the PRVV will become a formal subcommittee of the BIA. In my view this initiative will strengthen both groups and serve the interests of Aldershot very well.

Protecting the Salamanders
City Councillors have agreed to a recommendation from Conservation Halton to temporarily close King Road in the spring to protect the Jefferson Salamanders. Last year the province declared these salamanders to be an endangered species in Ontario. In the spring each year, around mid March to mid April, the salamanders migrate and sometimes cross King Road, north of Bayview Park. A voluntary closure of the road was put in place last year but this is not sufficient.  From now on, signs and barriers will be in place during the 3 week closure on an annual basis.

Aldershot Storm Water Study
Many Aldershot residents are aware that there are a variety of storm water issues in the area south of Plains Road.  As a result, the City is undertaking a study to develop a Storm Water Master Plan for the area so that we can begin fixing all the problems. Once this study is completed the City will be better able to address the issue of the reconstruction of Townsend Avenue from LaSalle to Eagle Drive and answer the question about whether to install a sidewalk along Townsend.

Save the Date
Thursday, April 26, Fundraising Dinner for Aldershot’s Plains Road Village Vision.  More details to come.

Maplehurst School
Maplehurst is about to celebrate its 100^th anniversary and would appreciate hearing from anyone with memorabilia to share.