The December League Meeting
Lots of news this month …. so let’s get
right at it….. First up, following last month’s minutes, was a presentation
by a housing development team. They have taken the (preferred) pro-active
step of approaching the community early in the design/permit process. Their
proposal, described by their spokesman as a “signature piece” (you judge)
is detailed in the article below.
In other news….. to further our effort to refurbish the community
league hall, Hilary and her committee have been completing forms to apply
for a casino. As part of the application, our league by-laws need to be
officially filed with the city registry. They currently have our 1942 by-laws
on file, (which defines our southern boundary as the “edge of town”). Short-term
hall activities include an energy audit and new exterior
lighting.
We have contacted the post office regarding graffiti on their mailboxes.
A list of affected boxes has been forwarded to them, but to date there
has been no action. Please report all graffiti to the local police. The
businesses along 76 Ave. are also encouraged to tidy up their own walls
as soon as they are vandalized.
Frank Weichman’s LRT Report
The Health Sciences LRT Station across
from the U of A Hospital is finished and the first training cars have been
spotted. The grand opening has been postponed, probably until February,
but passenger service should start the last week of December.
Digging the LRT underpass at Belgravia Road was to have started in November,
but has been delayed until December (or so....).
The SLRT Open House on November 30 presented a lot of information, and
requested community input on a proposed bridge that would take rapid transit
buses out of the Foote Field area, over Belgravia Road and on to Fox Drive.
Contact Frank with your thoughts.
Another item that caused a stir, was the University Ave - 114 Street
intersection, which now shows extra vehicle turning lanes. Gordon Menzies
reported that a mis-calculation had been made regarding traffic / LRT interactions
at University Avenue. Assurances were made that the total traffic density
on 114 Street would not be increased. There was also serious debate about
improving the corner for pedestrians / cyclists.
Detailed planning on the route from Foote Field to Heritage is continuing.
Negotiation difficulties for a Park and Ride at Southgate may necessitate
a location change slightly further north.
The West End High Speed Transit Study continues to evaluate options
to improve access from Lewis Estates and WEM to the downtown and University
areas. All communities along the proposed routes are in favour of a better
transit system and would be willing to accept some local impacts.
Final routing will be dependant on the types of vehicles used, be they
diesel buses, trolleys, hybrid buses, or LRT trains.
A local concern is the possibility of LRT coming from the West End to
Foote field and then swinging north to the U of A. This could double the
number of trains along 114 Street. Belgravia (and the Cross Cancer Clinic)
have their own worries about a route along University Ave. (most likely
underground). The Transportation Department is quite definite that there
will be two high-speed ‘bus’ routes, one will stay north of the river,
and the other will feed the SLRT at Foote Field.
The U of A Liason Report
Julia reported on items from a recent meeting
with the U of A. An agreement with Foote Field will be up for renewal shortly.
Input is required from groups who use the facilities. The city wants to
ensure that the local communities have sufficient access. The Agri-Food
Discovery Place is nearing construction completion. Occupancy and a grand
opening are
scheduled for spring of 2006. The facility will study crop utilization
and meat safety. Other construction activities include an Ambulatory
Learning Centre on 114 St. and the Centennial Centre on the main campus.
In addition, the old Hudson’s Bay building downtown will be converted for
off-campus use.
Residential Parking
Having Trouble Parking In Front Of Your
Own House?
Do you find the street in front of your house increasingly congested
with parked cars that aren’t your own? Are you concerned that our
streets will become a university parking lot even more when the McKernan
LRT Station is operational? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these
questions, we want to hear from you!
Currently, part of our community (mostly north of 76 Ave.) participates
in Edmonton’s Residential Parking Program. See:(http://www.edmonton.ca/RoadsTraffic/parkingbrochure.pdf).
The program involves the city erecting street signs which would limit
non-residents to 2-hour parking. Residents receive a free annual
pass which they display on their vehicles allowing them unrestricted parking.
Our concern is for community residents in areas not currently governed
by the Parking Program, mostly south of 77th Avenue. The Community
League can petition the city on your behalf to have the restricted parking
zone extended to cover your street, as long as we know that is what you
want.
So, we need to hear from you! Would you like the restricted zone
extended to your street? If so, keep in mind the following details:
 once the program is in place,
free permits are available to residents of single-family homes and multi-family
buildings under four stories high
you must apply for your own
parking permit – thereafter the city will send you a renewal form
each year
to apply, you must have a
valid vehicle registration and demonstrate proof of residency (e.g., address
on utility bill or driver’s license, etc.)
you can also apply for Temporary
Permits if you have guests or contractors, etc., who will be parking by
your property for an extended period of time
it appears as though enforcement
is done either through residents reporting to the city or through occasionally
patrols (e.g., at the start of the school year)
Please let us know what you think by either emailing MckernanCommunityLeague@telus.net
or phoning Julia at 435-6667. Keep in mind that the McKernan LRT
Station is scheduled to be opened by the end of 2008, which may come faster
than you think!
The Housing Report
The process to provide timely notification
regarding community developments, has been fixed again, by Mike Nickel.
Thanks Mike! Notifications will now be mailed directly to our league President.
Not unlike our looming battle, there is a 30-unit Garneau (109 St. &
79 Ave.) apartment development going before the Development Appeal Board
in December. Our housing committee will be in attendance, to provide support
for Garneau’s objections (and to take copious notes).
Remember to send your views on this and other items affecting the community
into the league. Or better yet, come out in person to the next community
league meeting to be held on January 3rd, at 7:30 in the hall.
Finally, on to the ice rink...... Peter Gray was forced to sit and wait
as the recent unseasonably warm weather prevented ice making. With the
even more recent cold snap, the flooding continued, but then it got warm
again....... you get the picture. If you have some free time, give Peter
a call, he could use a hand.........
The Editor
|
