Glebe, City Prompt action at odds about averts new by-laws major fire Beverley Rix Andrew Williams Opposition to several by- A fire at the Glebe laws recently passed by City Community Centre Sunday, Hall and affecting residen- April 8th, was confined to tial density in the Glebe, one room as a result of the continues to gain strength. quick thinking of local re- Alderman Howard Smith sidents and one man's mem- said that his office has ories of the London Blitz. received many letters and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew calls protesting City Hall's Connidis were walking home action and expressing concern along Second Avenue late about the implications of Sunday afternoon when they the new laws. first smelled smoke. "We were just coming up to Worries about density the Community Centre when we Most of the residents' noticed the acrid smell of worries centre on three pro- smoke. I was in London dur- visions. The new by-laws ing the Blitz studying archi- would allow the conversion tecture and I checked many the of existing homes to apart- buildings after bombing ments provided the owner has so I recognized the smell occupied the home for only right away," said Mr. 90 days. The previous mini- Connidis. mum time of owner-occupancy They turned towards the before conversion was three Community Centre and saw years. The second provision smoke coming out of the roof would also permit the owners on the northwest corner of to convert their homes into the building. Mr. Connidis much smaller units; such con- and another Glebe resident, version could double residen- Mark Friedman, quickly called tial density in some cases. the fire department. Within The third provision provides five minutes three fire ve- an allowance of 20 per cent hicles were on the scene and of the site for landscaped Photo: Desmond Hassell the firemen were bringing the open space rather than the blaze under control. "The fire apparently started previous requirement of 30 of appeal to the Ontario aroused resentment. At any because an enamelling kiln per cent. Municipal Board. He said rate the GCA is faced again was left on and had over- In a letter to City Clerk that he had also had some with the task of lobbying heated," stated Cindy Green, Evelyn Cooper, Ellen and John discussions with City Hall Planning Board. McLeod expressed Director of the Centre. "A many resi- staff to look at some options Rosove also criticized dents' fears nearby stack of papers caught that the by- to discourage developers Alderman Howard Smith. He laws would fire and the flames were "change the Glebe from making rapid conversions, said that Smith's failure to from a mixed residential spreading up the wall when corn- One possibility is the use fight this set of rules might munity to an area the firemen arrived." predomin- of an affidavit to assure mean that some of the posi- antly rented by Fire P. 2 absentee that the person converting a tive aspects of the Glebe landlords; forfeit the Glebe's house into flats is a true Neighbourhood Plan could be green spaces to paved parking own er-occupant. lost. lots; increase Inside the number of Alderman Smith said that he cars and traffic in the Glebe . did vote for the by-law chan- and make it more Relations .. strained dangerous ges but that the passage of Feature especially for children and Rosove said that he has the by-laws was equivalent The Glebe is now home the elderly." found that relations between to a first reading in parlia- for a pianist who has The letter also protested City Hall and the Glebe are ment. The proposed changes received international City Hall's claim that the often strained. Some mem- do not go to the OMB until acclaim 10 by-law changes were in keep- bers of Council "on the left" aftet there has been public ing the Focus with Glebe Neighbour- like Brian Boums and Ralph discussion. He is concerned hood A unique organization Development Plan. The Hasenack, as well as some that the by-laws are not pre- McLeods stated that the pro- provides an outlet for City Hall staff members look sented in clear and under- posais the talents of amateur were imposed at the on the Glebe as a community standable language and has end of the study, musicians against of rich people always pro- tried to rectify this fault the wishes of the community. tecting their own interests. through his column and by Earth Elit Bruce Rosove, President of Many think the Glebe should City advertising. He agrees Governments look for the Glebe Community Associa- be more densely populated with the objections to the a place to dispose of tion said that the City's although in fact the area by-laws. He said that he is dangerous chemical Legal Department has some has one of the highest resi- very concerned about them wastes 18 serious criticisms of the by- dential densities in the and is looking forward to laws. Rosove is hoping that city. The Glebe has been working with residents at Letters the by-laws will go back to very successful in protec- public meetings to try to The Mouse strikes Planning Board for consider- ting itself, he added, and find solutions to the back 5 ation before the final stage for that reason has perhaps problems. NEWS Springtime at Dow's Lake Diana Paterson or early June. When all plans are set, area resi- After a late winter nap, dents will be notified by the Dow's Lake Residents' flyer, and the tickets will Association has come back be sold door to door. with the Spring to organ- The Association Executive ize you, pick your pocket endorses the Neighbourhood a little, and be a nuisance Watch programme and will, in general. As we warned with your co-operation, you last year, more funds organize our area as much as will be needed for Senator possible along the suggested Forsey 'Park; to complete lines. Brochures and in- work already done and to structions will be handed provide the little amenities out while the Breakfast like benches and garbage tickets are being sold, and bins that make a park a the Breakfast itself will Photo: Paul Callingham home. The fund-raising provide an ideal opportunity event this spring will be a for old-timers and new- Pancake Breakfast in the timers to become acquainted. Fire damages Centre park on a Sunday in late May Please plan to attend. Andrew Williams When the repairs are Damage to the all- completed in two weeks purpose room used by everything will return to the playgroup at the normal. And Glebe Community Centre was residents can be thank- ful that the limited to $12,000 by efficiency of the speedy arrival of our fire department the fire brigade. A and the sensitive nose of daring rescue by pro- one man averted had been damaged by gramme worker Cathy the smoke. Buchanan prevented what could have been a "This was typical of tragic loss of life -- the way in which people she rescued the play- helped to minimize group's four goldfish. the disruption to our The counters and win- regular programmes," dow frames burned in commented Georgina the fire are being re- Swindon, director of placed by Building the playgroup. Our Master and repairs group has shared sever- should be completed in al rooms with other pro- two weeks. The Centre's grammes during the insurance will cover last month so the fire all costs and fortu- has not interfered nately nothing has to with our schedule as PLANT GALLERY be replaced. Several much as it might have." exotic plants & fine art mothers belonging to what could have been a the playgroup helped major disaster for our MIN to clean the toys that community. 836 Bank St. fifth Av.. 233-7879 COMIN 200 Elgin St. of Lise, 230-5077 TB BACILLUS the exhibition/rexposition THE CLOTHES PEG One hundred years ago, the tubercu- Pour commémorer le centenaire de la losis bacillus was discovered. To com- découverte du bacille de la tuberculose, Summer clothes for child- memorate this event, the City of Ottawa les Archives municipales d'Ottawa et ren ages 0 - 14 Archives and the Canadian Lung l'Association pulmonaire du Canada Association present présenteront Black & Pink ballet and tights 4- a retrospective of treatment du 14 mai au 25 juin leotards and prevention of 14 years tuberculosis in Canada une rétrospective de la prévention et du traitement de Colourful clothes from May 14 June 25 la tuberculose au Canada "CLOWNS" City of Ottawa Archives Archives municipales d'Ottawa 174 Stanley Avenue 174, avenue Stanley (613)2334296 563-3115 563-3115 PIPTI4 AIVIIINLIE COURT weekdays only Dtviz°J.Ottavva en semaine seulement BANK AT FIFTH (UPPER LEVB.) 8:30 am - 4:30 pm 8h 30 - 16h 30 OTTMIA ONTARIO May 14, 1982, GLEBE REPORT - 2 IF YOU HAVE NEWS, Call the Editor at 235-0853 or write to the GLEBE REPORT P.O. Box 4794, Station E, Ottawa, Ontario NEWS Grade 13 to be phased out Ruth Toller which would help Grade Nines adjust to High According to Ontario edu- school. cation officials, Grade 13 Mr. Wotherspoon feels may be phased out of Ontario that Teachers' Federation high schools by 1990. Cur- objections to SERP have riculum for Grades 7 to little substance. With more 12 would be rewritten, the courses required to Grades number of courses for grad- uation from secondary 9 to 12, staff require- ments might not go school increased and more down, despite the loss of Grade of them made compulsory.