Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,
As you know, I am having to reduce my responsibilities due to family matters. If you are interested in helping out with FKIH activities (or even if you would just like an evening out), do consider coming to our AGM to find out more about us.
We would love to see you.
1) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, Nov 24
2) K&P NEWS + pic
3) NORTH KINGS TOWN DRAFT REPORT AND PUBLIC DROP IN, Nov 14
4) FYI: OPEN GOVERNMENT CONCERNS, Nov 23
5) DOWNTOWN HIGH RISE ISSUES
6) TURTLE UPDATE
7) KINGSTON PENITENTIARY TALK, Nov 3
8) WALK AND ROLL KINGSTON COMMUNITY FORUM, Nov 2
9) PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY – ENJOY!
1) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
FRIENDS OF KINGSTON INNER HARBOUR When:Thurs, Nov 24, 7 pm Where:Frontenac Village Condo party room, 1 Place d’Armes Directions: To get to the party room, first go to the garage entry which is as far north as possible on King St. past the KROCK Centre. Beside OHIP is the cul-de-sac entry to the condo parking garage. Signs will be posted there. If you need wheelchair access, you will need to go through the underground parking. Easy! Refreshments provided.
2) K&P TRAIL UPDATE
Great photo below (north of Quattrocchi’s) shows the trail already being explored despite it not being fully completed.
Quick update courtesy Kris Hebert, Parks Dept. “The rock retaining wall by the Woolen Mill as well as the shore wall have been rebuilt to allow the accessible trail and to repair sections that have failed over the years due to ice/drainage issues. Erosion control/temporary sediment fencing has been in place during construction. Nine turtle basking logs and the turtle nesting area have been placed on site. Paving on segments 6 and 9 north of Quattrocchi’s to Elliott Avenue has started. Tree planting, and topsoil and seed will also be starting in segment 4 and 1 over the next few weeks. Two mature willow trees by the Woolen Mill are being removed due to condition assessment by our forestry division which show that the structural integrity of both these trees present a real concern to public safety. (decayed trunks/heavy lean) As part of the urban K & P Trail works new trees will be planted in this section of Molly Brant Point.” Questions/Comments? Neal Unsworth – nunsworth@cityofkingston.ca or Kris Hebert – khebert@cityofkingston.ca
3) NORTH KINGS TOWN DRAFT REPORT AND PUBLIC DROP-IN When: Monday, Nov 14, 3;30 – 5;30 pm Where: Multi-Purpose Room, Artillery Park, What: Informal Drop-In: Contact: Sonya Bolton: sbolton@cityofkingston.ca
Here is Sonya’s most recent update: “We want to hear from you!
This report will set the stage for the rest of the secondary planning process. We still have a great deal of work to do in the next phase of the project, including all of the technical studies (land use, transportation, servicing, etc.), but taking the time to collaborate on the community’s vision for NKT’s future and reviewing the available market data are important to ensure we can successfully implement the vision going forward. For this draft report, what we really need to know from you is:
1. Do the vision, guiding principles and big moves in the document represent what the community has collectively been talking about through the consultation events this year; and
2. Do the opportunities and recommendations for implementation set us on the right path for carrying forward into the next stage of the project?
How to access the draft report
1.The draft report can be accessed on-line on the City’s website at the following link: NKT consultation
2.A reference copy for viewing will be made available at the Central and Kingscourt branches of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library and at the Clerk’s Department at City Hall; and
3.A few borrower’s copies will be available at Planning, Building and Licensing Services at 1211 John Counter Boulevard (please call or e-mail ahead to see when one can be made available to you for pick-up).
Please note: The reference copies will be at the two libraries and the Clerk’s department by the end of the week, and the borrower’s copies should be available on Wednesday at the Planning office.
Deadline for comments
The deadline for providing comments on the draft report is Tuesday, November 15.
Ask us questions at the open house
Staff and the consulting team will be hosting an informal, drop-in open house from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 14. There won’t be any formal presentation, but if you have any last minute questions before submitting comments by the deadline, feel free to come by and chat with us.”
Sonya Bolton – sbolton@cityofkingston.ca
4) RECENT CALL TO ACTION FROM:
THE COALITION OF KINGSTON COMMUNITIES
RE OPEN GOVERNMENT CONCERNS: When: Wed. Nov 23, 6 pm Where: Confederation Place Hotel, 237 Ontario St.Salon A What: Share your neighbourhood’s problems!
Let’s find solutions together!
IMPORTANT BACKGROUND INFO:
“Last November, 20 community groups established the Coalition of Kingston Communities to improve processes of civic engagement and City accountability
· We provided meaningful critiques of City planning
· We urged a necessary Council integrity investigation
· We called the City to account on projects contrary to established policies
· We provided systematic scrutiny of proposed changes to the Official Plan
· We spoke up for the Heritage Kingston committee
BUT THE PROBLEMS AT CITY HALL CONTINUE… Projects proceeding without proper process.
Public input AFTER decisions.
KEDCO’s accountability unresolved.
Heritage committee sidelined.
OMB appeals.
Council integrity questioned.
Public relations, not public engagement!
5) DOWNTOWN HIGH RISE ISSUES
As you probably know, Council recently approved (by an extremely close vote of 7-6) the construction of a 16 storey condo in Kingston’s historic downtown. The vote was somewhat tainted in that Councillor Adam Candon who seconded the motion is now being investigated for possible conflict of interest as he was advertising the development on his business webpage. Basically it smells bad. OMB challenges have been launched by ex City Councillor Vicki Schmolka, Christine Sypnowich (chair of the Coalition of Kingston Communities) Samantha King (representing Vision for Kingston) and Annette Burfoot. Objections include but are not limited to:
a) The height which is double that advocated in the city’s Official Plan and by-laws,
b) lack of fit with surrounding heritage buildings,
c) lack of suitable onsite parking,
d) possible misuse as Air B&Bs undercutting local hotels,
e) small units with IN8 Developments pitching to “investors” to rent to students rather than pitching to potential actual residents,
f) setting a dangerous precedent for several other high-rise proposals who are currently waiting in the wings,
g) increased traffic congestion focussed on Queen St.,
h) aesthetic arguments,
i) public amenities proposed not sufficient to counterbalance the problems,
If you are interested in contributing to the OMB challenge or finding out more of the problems associated with this development, visit the Vision for Kingston Facebook page. For the city’s perspective contact the city’s Planning Department or check out IN8 online. Personally I remain totally opposed for all of the reasons suggested above. In my personal opinion, they should build two 8 storey buildings (one on Princess at the Capitol and the second on the Byron Parking lot on Queen where the city has already given them parking spaces). This way they would still make a lot of money while remaining within the city’s guidelines.
We all agree that more densification in the downtown is needed and is a great idea. But let’s not forget that there are over 60 vacant lots in the downtown that could be used for equivalent densification. If the high rises go ahead, these lots may well remain vacant eye-sores when they could become vibrant new town houses or mid-rises. This issue will have a huge impact on Kingston’s downtown and Inner Harbour areas. Learn more and decide for yourself.
6) TURTLE UPDATE.
Our turtle sub-group is delighted to report that two grant proposals have been submitted and we are meeting with representatives from the Toronto Zoo’s Turtle Island Project on November 17 for both a site tour and an evening meeting where we will discuss partnership possibliites with them for this coming summer.
7) THE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY & SETTING OF KINGSTON PENITENTIARY – a waterfront landmark
Penitentiary architecture presented architects with an opportunity to merge stone and mortar with social theories on how a society should operate. The complex behind the walls on King Street West was called “a school of reform” in 1834 but “a complete failure as a moral school” in 1848. Social theories come and go but what has remained is a set of handsome stone buildings, which will be discussed in an illustrated public talk by architectural historian
Dr Jennifer McKendry
When: Thurs Nov 3, 7:30 pm
Where: Church Hall of ST JOHN’S CHURCH,
Church Street, north of Union and west of Yonge
8) WALK AND ROLL: KINGSTON COMMUNITY FORUM When:Thurs Nov 2, 6-9 pm
(7 pm presentation by Dutch firm Mobycon)
Where: Memorial Hall, City Hall, 216 Ontario St.
What: The City invites the public to offer ideas for a master plan to get Kingston on the move.Walk ‘n’ Roll Kingston will be the City of Kingston’s master plan to encourage active transportation as a way to support health, save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and help reach the City’s target of having 20 per cent of all trips be made using some form of active transportation.
“We want to gather ideas from the community as we consider the types of improvements needed to encourage people to get out of their cars and walk, cycle or wheel more often,” says Deanna Green, manager, traffic division.
From 6 to 7 p.m. there will be an open house format where residents can view displays and ask questions. A guest speaker from the Dutch firm Mobycon is scheduled for 7 p.m. and then residents will be welcome to participate in mini-workshop discussions to identify key ideas for encouraging walking, cycling and wheelchair travel in Kingston.
The drop-in workshop will be run by WSP/MMM Team and Mobycon consulting teams, contracted by the City to work with the public to consider Walk ‘n’ Roll Kingston plan elements, such as:
Active transportation networks
On and off-road infrastructure for human-powered travellers
Connections to Kingston Transit and parking facilities
End-of-trip facilities
Work and school programs and promotions to encourage active transportation as a great choice for commuters
