Welcome by Williamsville Councilor Jim Neill: great turn-out, hopes for more meetings, and encouraged those present to invite a neighbour.

Main Street Study Recommendation – Shirley Bailey, Sr. Planner, City of Kingston

Ms Bailey gave a brief summary of the study highlights and noted that emphasis on culture and heritage has been noted and will be incorporated, and invited input into Study. The streets will have wide sidewalks for pedestrians and parking on both sides.

Comments from attendees: cyclist noted “sharrows’ don’t work; Councilor Neill noted sharrows are a work in progress; Ms Bailey indicated Williamsville Study Recommendations will take time to happen. The area needs developers, but with brownfields in area, is it reasonable to expect to attract developers? Ms Bailey noted that Yes, enquiries have come from afar, there is interest and developers’ applications will be dealt with as they come in. Councilor Neill commented on tax advantages for brownfield development (some brownfields could be abandoned by owners who do not have mean to clean up properties).

Podium Developments Presentation – Bernard Luttmer

Mr Luttmer outlined the Salvation Army site development and Albert Street development, and apologized for the noise. Mr Luttmer went on to show designs for Mack Street, fronting on Victoria Park and requested comments and suggestions.

Comments from attendees: what type of buildings and how large? Mr. Luttmer indicated the intent for campus residents, but cannot be restricted to students; 2 bedrooms, 3 bedrooms + den, 2 buildings, 15 units each. Query on size of den, and does it have a closet?  Mr Luttmer commented that it is usual to have a den with a 3 bedroom unit. There was general praise for the Podium developments.

Property Standards – Terry Willing, Director of Building and Licensing, City of Kingston

Property standards enforcement is mainly complaint driven, with some blitzes, and intent to focus particular attention to the gateways to Kingston. Mr Willing gave a summary of the process.

Comments from attendees: complaints fall into black hole, what could be done? Mr Willing noted that communication is not so good, staff are very busy, and requested that people call back to check. It was suggested that people to take photos of situation and Mr Willing agreed this was a great idea, and to send photos by e-mail. There are chronic offenders, what process could work here?  Mr Willing noted there should be bigger fines for repeat offenders. An example from Waterloo was given where students get a fine right away, but it usually takes 3 weeks for students to pay attention to property standards by-laws. Snow removal, are there any guidelines? What about homeowners shoveling snow out to the street? Snow banks on Princess Street are a problem. Mr Willing noted property owners need to pay for snow removal or call for by-law enforcement if needed.

Near Campus Neighbourhoods Advisory Committee – John Grenville, Williamsville rep

A powerpoint presentation with background was provided along with examples of issues and concerns. Mr Grenville would like feedback to take to the Committee. Summary information and contact information will be posted on the website.

Business Improvement Area (BIA) – Fawn Bradfield, KEDCO

A powerpoint presentation on the advantages and benefits of a BIA was presented by Ms Bradfield, a representative of the Kingston Economic Development Corporation. This provided a better understanding to business owners and residents.

Services and Lifestyle Guide – Sue Bazely

The first draft of the Guide which lists services in Williamsville was presented. The objective is to promote local services. Ms Bazely encouraged input and additional listings.

Other Business

Farmers’ Market at Memorial Centre – is a proposed pilot project that needs support from the community. Attendees were asked to email councilors. This proposed Market is in keeping with the community garden proposed for the Memorial Centre and is an element of Kingston as a Sustainable Community.  Help is needed in working on this.

Potential school closures - there is information that some schools in the area could close. It is necessary to attend meetings and watch for the review now being conducted. Schools are an essential part of a neighbourhood.

Messages – Bryon Springer sends congratulations on improvements to the Memorial Centre, encourages incentives for developers, and is reviewing their proposal for the property at old Keg site. Bruce Stewart (Toyota property) noted that the area needs revitalization and that there is probably a brownfield issue. City leadership is needed.

In addition, there were messages from Ronda Candy (Martha’s Table) and John McTavish (HIV Aids) expressing interest in the Williamsville Community Association.

Thanks to all who attended, our presenters, and everyone who assisted in the planning and presentation of this meeting.

November 22, 2011

6:30 pm

at Rideau Heights PS 77 MacCauley Street

Although these schools are not in Williamsville, several are close to our district boarders and closure of any will have an adverse impact on the surrounding neighbourhoods. There is an opportunity for public input. For more information see the Accommodation section at www.limestone.on.ca

]]> http://williamsville.ca/2011/11/elementary-school-accommodation-review/feed/ 0 http://williamsville.ca/2011/10/williamsville-general-meeting/ http://williamsville.ca/2011/10/williamsville-general-meeting/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:33:23 +0000 SBazely http://williamsville.ca/?p=108 Continue reading →]]> Monday October 17 - 7-9 pm at the Memorial Centre Rotunda

Agenda

1. Welcome & introduction to meeting

2. Welcome by District Councillor Jim Neill

3. Main Street Study Recommendations

4. Current & Future Development in Williamsville by Podium Developments

5. Property Standards, by-law enforcement & waste management

6. Near Campus Neighbourhoods Advisory Committee

7. Business Improvement Area (BIA) Information

8. Service & Lifestyle Guide

9. General Comments from District Councillor Jim Neill

10. Other Business – proposed farmers’ market, community garden, potential school closures

11. General Questions

There will be an opportunity for questions after each item in addition to the general question session at the end.

October 3 – Open House: Williamsville Main Street Revitalization

At St. Luke’s Church Hall, 236 Nelson Street – An open house will run from 4:00 to 8:00 pm with a presentation on the draft guidelines at 6:00 pm. You can see the report and can make comments on-line until Friday October 21 at     www.City ofKingston.ca/williamsville

October 12 – Memorial Centre Advisory Committee 

In the Loyalist Room at City Hall at 5:00 pm. This meeting is open to the public and has a variety of items on the agenda concerning the Memorial Centre, including the proposed farmers’ market in one of the barns.

October 17 – Williamsville Community Association General Meeting

Our next general meeting takes place at the Memorial Centre, Rotunda from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. This is your opportunity to find out what has been going on and have your say. More details to follow.

Welcome to all those who recently signed on to the Williamsville e-list. We now have 145 on the list and it keeps growing.

Williamsville Town Hall Meeting:
Our Town Hall meeting is Monday May 30 from 7 to 9pm at the Memorial Centre, Rotunda. This is an opportunity to catch up on what’s happening and ask questions.

The flyer below was distributed to Williamsville residents, businesses and agencies this month and we hope you will help pass on the word to your friends and neighbours. The media release, which should give us a broader distribution is at the end of this message.

Join us on May 30 at The Memorial Centre

City M-Centre Update:

For those not on the city Memorial Centre distribution list, the following was sent out May 13:

Dear Friends and Neighbours of the Memorial Centre,
It won’t be long until the Memorial Centre will be the host to an unprecedented variety of activities as well as home for many community initiatives. It’s amazing how far this facility has come in the past 3 years and you as a community, should be very proud of the contribution you have made in reshaping this venue. It’s an impressive list;

• Accessible Walking Paths – Community Gardens Office
• Off-leash Dog park, shade structure – New Memorial Gardens
• Local Hockey Leagues – Softball Diamonds
• Men’s University Hockey – Women’s University Hockey
• A Splash Pad – Zero Entry Pool
• Lazy River Pool – Pollinator Garden
• 10m Waterslide – Diving Pool
• 25m swimming pool – Shade structures and lounge chairs
• Running Track – Memorial Walls
• The Fall Fair – Kingston Agricultural Society Office

News from our contractor confirms we are on-schedule with construction and we will be ready for the scheduled Grand Opening of the Outdoor Aquatic Centre on Friday, June 24 @ 1:30pm. Construction activity and debris will start to be removed as we get closer to the opening. More information on the Grand Opening will be provided in early June.

We will be erecting a number of signs intended to control traffic, parking, access, facility rules as well as warnings of prosecution for anyone who is caught damaging or defacing the property. We sincerely appreciate those of you who have assisted us by letting us know about damage and graffiti when it occurs. We hope you will continue to keep us apprised of such activities once construction is completed.

With summer approaching, we are pleased to reward your patience with the end of this phase of construction and the opening of the new Outdoor Aquatic Centre.

Construction will begin on the Pollinator Garden near the retaining wall on the west end of the walking path by the end of May. Utilities have been located and the sod will be removed to allow for the plantings.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us by return email or by calling Terry Shea at 613-546-4291 ext. 3124.

Have a great summer,
Terry Shea Shea,Terry [tshea@cityofkingston.ca]
Rural Affairs &
Promotions Coordinator
Recreation & Leisure
City of Kingston

Williamsville Town Hall Media Release:

Williamsville Community Association FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Susan M. Bazely
Tel: 613-453-9644
Email: sue@bazely.ca

WILLIAMSVILLE RESIDENTS TO HAVE THEIR SAY

Residents of Williamsville will be asked for their input at a town hall meeting on Monday May, 30 from 7 to 9 in the rotunda of the Kingston Memorial Centre on York Street. Agenda topics include revitalization of the Williamsville part of Princess Street and “Buy You Neighbourhood” initiative.

Williamsville, bordered by Concession, Division and Johnson Streets and Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard is going through a period of revitalization. “We are excited about all the changes at the Memorial Centre property,” says Pat Hodge, Chair of the Williamsville Community Association, “we would like to build on these improvements,” she added. A large panoramic painting entitled The Field by Williamsville artist Nancy Douglas will help remind attendees of the transformation that has taken place in the past two years. Association member Sue Bazely will also introduce an initiative to support businesses in the Williamsville area. “Our ‘Buy Your Neighbourhood’ is designed to show residents that all their needs can be met by shopping locally. In fact, we are giving local companies and agencies an opportunity to set up displays at the town hall meeting.” Jim Neill, Councillor for Williamsville notes that attendees will learn about the initiative for a community garden where residents can have a plot of land to grow vegetables. The Association will also report, through Brook McIlroy Inc. consultants, on plans for the revitalization of Princess Street between Division Street and Bath Road.

The Williamsville Community Association is a volunteer committee representing the interests of businesses, agencies and residents in the Williamsville community.

More information can be found at the City of Kingston website.

• Newsletter No. 2 – March 2011
• Williamsville April 6 Notice of Open House PDF

• Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2011
• Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Location: St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 236 Nelson Street

The consulting team of Brook McIlroy Inc. will be presenting its findings to date, and they will lead participants in an interactive discussion about issues relating to the Study Area. They will also be on hand to answer questions, and collect and respond to your comments and issues with the Main Street area.
If you have any questions related to this project, or would like to be added to a contact list to receive updates on the study, please contact the Planning and Development Department of the City at 613-546-4291, ext. 3180, or williamsvillestudy@cityofkingston.ca.

• Williamsville April 6 Notice of Open House PDF
• Williamsville Main Street Study Site

March 30 “Cycling in A Sustainable Kingston” 1:30 – 4:00

Queen’s KHS Building rm 101 28 Division at Clergy and

7:00-9:00 Memorial Hall, City Hall.

Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation – March 30 “Cycling in A Sustainable Kingston”