When I meet with the people who live in Beaverbrook, I hear that what matters to them is maintaining the original vision that Bill Teron had for Kanata. They want to preserve the neighbourhood tree canopy, the open and green space, the beautiful pathways and trails, the woods and the traditions. They want their pathways kept in good repair. They want their neighbourhood to be safe and calm with posted speeds adhered to! They want better bussing around Beaverbrook to the Seniors’ Centre, the Library and to Centrum. Beaverbrook residents are generally happy with the Mosquito Program because they like to be outside. They are willing to pay extra for the program and for their lighted street signs, but they want good value for their taxes, with taxes kept low. They have enjoyed the success the technology sector has brought to Kanata and want to ensure that The Tech Park continues to be the thriving growth sector it has always been. If that means additional housing options where it makes sense, they agree, but not when it becomes infill for the sake of infill. With the recent flooding of the houses in Beaverbrook, they want answers. And they want to be assured that the City will make sure this will never happen again. They want to see smart and strategic development where it “fits” and makes sense. Upgrades to road infrastructure coming decades after development is frustrating. Beaverbrook residents rely on their Community Association and their Community Centre to connect them. With their longstanding model of what a connected community looks like, I continue to talk about Beaverbrook as a model for our new and growing neighbourhoods.
This new Council term will see the Heritage Study of Beaverbrook continue. Some are worried that a heritage designation will be restrictive. From what I have heard so far in the considerable community feedback, residents are looking to ensure that our City of Ottawa policies include the concepts of natural design and integration with nature that Bill Teron envisioned. They want to keep the natural hedge barriers, globe lighting, and the “mirror of nature” thinking into design that makes Beaverbrook a haven for people who want to live in harmony with nature. They aren’t looking for rules that would prevent home owners from upgrading their windows!
