WVCA response to “Outcry scuttles Byron Linear road”

Dear Ottawa This Week,

The Board of the Wellington Village Community Association (WVCA) feels that the ‘Byron Linear Park versus the residents of Shannon Street’ reporting on the debate over vehicle access to the Westboro convent redevelopment – as characterized in the May 25 article “Outcry scuttles Byron Linear road” – is both unfortunate and inaccurate.

The opening sentence of the article stated that “The Byron Linear Park has come out on top over the residents of Shannon Street in the debate over vehicle access to the Westboro convent redevelopment.”

On the matter of a proposed southern access for the convent property, community members have expressed, at the WVCA Annual General Meeting and through other fora, their concern and sympathy for the plight of Shannon residents as well as their opposition to the proposed cut through the Byron Park.

Community members’ clear sentiment is that the interests of local residents and the broader community appear to have carried little weight in decision-making by the city on this issue to this point.

Above all else, the WVCA Board believes that residents should not be pitted one against another in a case where we all have the best interests of the community in mind. We would much prefer to see attention focused on exploring alternative solutions.  These steps should be respectful of local residents and of the Community Design Plans that citizens and the City have invested so heavily in developing – including staff time and taxpayer dollars.

The WVCA Board fully concurs with the removal of the issue of cutting through the Byron Linear park from the May 24 Planning Committee agenda.

It is hoped that this decision will allow for a clear understanding of the facts, the consideration of alternatives and broader community consultation.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors, Wellington Village Community Association