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October Update 2016

Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,

1) Fun video about Crossfit at Queen.
2) Serious Concern: School properties should be designated green spaces
3) Learn about the latest revisions to the five-year update of the City of Kingston’s Official Plan
4) Four Ontario Municipal Board challenges have been filed against the IN8 proposal
5) Plea for anyone interested in helping the Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour!!
6) Reminder: Death by Chocolate Fundraiser for Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre
7) Upcoming Public Meeting re North King’s Town – TBA

1) Fun video about Crossfit on Queen.
Ever wonder what goes on in the basement of that old church on Queen St?
Nice to publicize a local business every now and then!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNqpbbbqi-0

2) Serious Concern: School properties should be designated green spaces when the schools close.  Both the Williamsville Community Association and the Kingscourt Community Association are concerned.
Inner Harbour residents need to be concerned about the future of both the Frontenac and St Pat’s Elementary School properties.
ISSUE TO BE DISCUSSED AT COUNCIL TUES, OCT 18, 7:30

a) Please read and consider signing the petition to help residents in Williamsville District. Here is their notice:

“On Sept. 6, City Council endorsed a plan that split the St. Joseph’s/St. Mary’s School property (corner of Brock and Napier Streets) into affordable housing, private market housing and parkland. Council did this even though they purchased the lot for parkland and even though there was:
• absolutely no public consultation: No community engagement occurred prior to the Sept. 6 proposal despite City Council’s stated strategic priority of open government and civic engagement.
• scant time for public comments: When a consultation meeting was finally held Oct. 3, the public had less than a week to provide further feedback.
• blatant disregard for City plans, policies, data: The City’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan says that preserving parkland and open spaces should be a priority and that this includes purchasing surplus school sites for parkland. Also, the most recent census figures (2011) show that the Williamsville District, where the school property is located, is one of the most deficient neighbourhoods in the city in terms of parkland per capita. And a City report admits that acquiring additional parkland in the area is increasingly a challenge.
Why is the City passing up the rare opportunity to add parkland to the city core? Why did the City draw up a plan before consulting the people who will see their neighbourhood dramatically change? Will other neighbourhoods with surplus school sites be faced with the same kind of change & same lack of input?
What can you do? Keep asking questions & speak up!
• Sign the online Sunnyside Neighbourhood Parkland Petition at http://www.chn.ge/2e0kLbs.
• Write to the Mayor & City Councillors at www.cityofkingston.ca (follow the City Hall/City Council links). Ask them to fully consult and to consider other redevelopment options.
Attend the City Council Meeting, 7:30 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 18. Support a neighbourhood asking the City to honour its commitments to fostering open government and creating a liveable city. ”
b) And this from the Kingscourt Community Association whose members are also interested in what will happen to the grounds of First Avernue and St Peter’s Elementary Schools.
Call for volunteers to help track school properties (First Ave School and St Peter Catholic School) and provide ideas for redevelopment and community use.
Email kingscourtca2@yahoo.com or phone 613 – 542-5834.”

3) Latest revisions to the five-year update of the City of Kingston’s Official Plan ­ – the plan that helps shape our city ­ at an upcoming open house:
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 26,
Time: 6-10 pm,
Location: Memorial Hall at City Hall, 216 Ontario St. 
A presentation on the revisions will begin at 6:30 p.m.

4) Four Ontario Municipal Board challenges have been filed against the IN8 proposal to put a 16 storey building at the old Capitol Theatre location on Princess St.  This is double the height allowed in the city’s bylaws and would set a bad precedent. Do you care about keeping the historic human scale/small town feel of Kingston’s downtown? Vision for Kingston Facebook page.  446 members – and growing daily.

5) Plea for anyone interested in helping the Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour!!
We honestly need people interested in helping with minimal administrative stuff.
Nothing heavy!  Promise!
Please e-mail inverarymary@yahoo.com or phone 613-544-1246

6) Death By Chocolate – Fundraiser for Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre in Napanee.
Date: Thurs Oct 27
Time: 7-9 pm
Location: Napanee Golf and Country Club

7) Upcoming Public Meeting re North King’s Town Visioning. 
There has been a delay.
Date will be posted on the www.friendsofinnerharbour website calendar when finalized.  Keep checking.

Wishing you all a happy fall season,
Cheers,
Mary Farrar,
President, Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour