December 2013 www.newedinburgh.ca Sketch by Martha Markowsky. “You Don’t Know What You’ve Got til its Gone...” Announcing the forma- of our neighbourhood is some- This neighbourhood is, in tion of the New Edinburgh thing we need to understand many ways, a living example Historical Society and communicate better. of a Canada that has mostly By Janet Uren When I first came to New disappeared. In fall 2013, a Do you remember that Joni Edinburgh in 2001 and walked small group came together, Mitchell song from the 1960s, my dog along Avon Lane, I its objective being to about paving paradise to put in was astonished. I felt as though communicate and to promote I had left behind the stressful the value of New Edinburgh a parking lot? What were the st words? “Don’t it always seem 21 century and escaped back as one of Canada’s flagship to go, that you don’t know to an older world, a quiet, tree- heritage districts. The New what you’ve got till it’s gone?” lined community with very few Edinburgh Historical Society That is a truth that rings loud cars and loads of children play- is little more than an idea and clear for a small group of ing safely. Such lanes were at the moment, an informal people in New Edinburgh who common once in Ottawa, when gathering of interested people have decided to form an his- houses typically sat on much (Joan Mason, Rosemarie Intensification: It’s Not torical society here. larger lots and backed on to Tovell, Ann Davis and myself). The first lots in New unpaved access routes. That We have met twice so far to was before intensification in talk about ways that we can Edinburgh were laid out in th th All Bad News… 1834, and the village still main- the late 19 and early 20 promote understanding and tains much of its historic shape century, when so many proper- protection of our wonderful By Joan Mason intensification. NECA’s ties were sub-divided, many old neighbourhood. We would Heritage and Development and character. We believe that To help keep the City from the streets and lanes of New new houses were built and like you to join us if this goal sprawling outwards indefinite- Committee actively participated almost all the large gardens in resonates with you. (Email Ann in consultations and provided Edinburgh are precious, not ly, the Province has encouraged only as a pleasant place to New Edinburgh disappeared. Davis at [email protected]) intensification of “underdevel- suggestions to remedy the The lanes survived, however, The group’s first project is the situation. NECA also helped live, but also because they act oped” parts within the existing as a rare and visible memo- and nowhere in Ottawa is there New Edinburgh History Book, urban area. This makes sense; organize a public consultation such an intact system of these here in the neighbourhood rial of Canada’s past. We also commutes would be shorter believe that the heritage value as in New Edinburgh. Continued on page 16 and the demand for new ser- that was well-attended and vices lessened. Official priority provided valuable input. The locations include downtown, City planners heard similar mainstreets, transit hubs, and concerns from other established vacant sites such as former fac- neighbourhoods and found tories and train yards. That’s overwhelming evidence that the theory but, in practice, this existing voluntary guidelines policy has played havoc with were not working. mature neighbourhoods such as Their research led to a New Edinburgh. Intensification comprehensive report on has often been invoked as an “Low-Rise Infill Housing in excuse for building oversized Mature Neighbourhoods”. The and incompatible infill projects findings and recommendations in locations far removed from were accepted by City Council, the target areas. The situation which then approved their has been compounded by inad- incorporation in 2012 into a equate municipal by-laws and new Infill Zoning By-law; weak enforcement by the City. the companion Urban Infill But change is in the works. Housing Design Guidelines In 2010, responding to were also updated. The new community complaints from rules address thorny issues such across Ottawa, the City began as determining compatibility looking into the insensitive with community character, how way many developers and to measure grade (and height) architects were going about Continued on page 8 Page 2 NEW EDINBURGH NEWS December 2013 to have late winter or early lent article in this edition spring. I … thought … I could of NEN provides a classic perhaps prompt a discussion example of the frustrations Report from here….What do you love about we encounter. Should we the neighbourhood? just give up and stop object- I'll start: First, I chose to ing – or is there another NECA President live here for the beauty. I love strategy that might be more the rivers, the falls, the park effective? space, Rideau Hall, the quiet • Should we be working more Tim Plumptre historic lanes and the varied closely with other communi- and interesting architecture.…. ty associations? What might Second, history and character. be the benefits of such rela- tive this year will be to orga- Every year, at its Annual ably effective. They all have New Edinburgh is so closely tionships? nize an event where commu- General Meeting, the New busy lives and many obliga- tied to the history of Ottawa • What measures could we nity members can discuss our Edinburgh Community tions outside their work as and of course the history of adopt to encourage a greater future. Alliance (NECA) welcomes board volunteers. Nonetheless, Canada. My family has his- degree of engagement of Some readers may remember new board members. This they have a can-do attitude toric ties to the community as local residents in the work we organized a similar event October, three new directors that’s impressive. When they well. Third: location! I can of NECA? last year to learn more about were elected. Leslie McKay, say they’re going to do some- easily walk or cycle to work, I look forward to sharing Minto’s plans for the fire site a relatively new resident of thing, they do it and they do it the Market, Beechwood, etc. more information about our at MacKay and Beechwood, our community, left the high- well. Commutes by car are typically work with you in future. In the and to provide Minto with powered world of corporate They’re a talented, intelli- short. interim, please be assured that feedback. Nearly everyone finance in the UK to seek a gent and engaging group of Why do I stay here though? board members welcome sug- who attended—well over 150 less pressured life and to enjoy citizens. They’re also fun. This The people I've met since gestions. You’ll find our con- residents—seemed pleased the charms of our community. means that board meetings are moving here. Because I may tact information below; feel with the event, and some ideas Patricia Begin, an experienced convivial and enjoyable. New stop to chat with friends and free to contact any of us if you put forward by the commu- public servant from Treasury Edinburgh is fortunate to have neighbours at least five, if have ideas related to our activi- nity (though not as many as Board decided to retire and such individuals at its service, not ten times, walking from ties or the community. we would have liked!) were fortunately for us, she’s made and as President I feel it’s a Beechwood home. Because I would be remiss if I did adopted by Minto. NECA one of her new commit- privilege to be able to work my children are being raised not mention one more matter. Events like these reflect a ments in retirement. with this group. in a caring village where we Among the departures from theme that runs through nearly In addition, we were fortu- Board meetings are open to look out for each other and the board in October was the all our board discussions: our nate to reconnect with Gail the public, so if you’d ever like know someone on nearly every Interim Chair, David Sacks. desire to communicate effec- McEachern. Gail has served as to drop by, you’ll find details block.” David has served the inter- tively with members and to be President of NECA in the past of our meetings on the New If you’d like to join this con- ests of New Edinburgh with responsive to citizens’ inter- and it was a very pleasant sur- Edinburgh web site. Usually versation, go to the New Ed remarkable devotion for many ests. prise when we heard she was we meet at 7:30 pm on the Talk listserve and share your years, only one example of prepared to return to the board third Monday of each month, thoughts: new-ed-talk@goog- which was his willingness to table. She contributes a wealth except in December and during legroups.com. step forward when it became of experience to our delibera- the summer. Some other questions our evident, a year ago, that the tions, and a long-term perspec- We’re an inquisitive lot. We board’s exploring are: position of President was tive. All three new appointees are always pursuing a number • What can we learn from becoming vacant. David took bring real strength to the board. of questions. Here are some other community associa- hold of the reins and those Last year, we also added we’re looking into at present.