Stakeholders' roundtable

It was a fairly positive meeting, and there was a feeling that progress is being made, albeit slow progress.  City engineering & building dept. staff, and Parks Canada, did not attend.

1: Eric Jokinen (Jokinen Associates) presented a powerpoint of his study of Outer Battery fishing structures.  He'll make the final report available in another 2 weeks and we'll put it up on this site.  Basically, it explored the flexibility permitted under national bldg code for heritage structures, noted important details of our stages & sheds, and drew some larger conclusions.  It will be helpful for anyone restoring stages & sheds.

2: Parking lot expansion information.  City staff were not in attendance to present any details of the $400,000 expansion plan.  OBNA tabled the engineering drawings which the city is distributing to tender bidders.  OBNA strongly requested the 3 city councillors present to insist on landscaping provisions which are not currently being planned by the city (the current plan is for a bunker-like concrete structure).  Deputy Mayor Duff and councillor O'Leary said they would endeavour to do so, and provincial officials later suggested an interesting heritage and visitor-appropriate design.

3: Future storm surge likelihood, rising sea levels study . Federal MP's office advised that a Chain Rock breakwater could present problems for altered water flow through the Narrows.  We asked if it is possible to do a study on possible solutions.
 : provincial representatives were very helpful

7: Proposal for Outer Battery Plan (province).  Provincial reps presented a draft plan for a planning process that would find common ground with neighbourhood, city, and other interests.  Ryan Cleary MP suggested such a plan be expanded to include the Narrows, i.e. embrace Ft. Amherst.  This was positively received around the table, and provincial reps will adapt their suggested plan accordingly.

We await feedback from the city on the parking lot, and from the province on the Narrows plan proposal.  

If you'd like more detailed report, contact any of the OBNA board members.

Outer Battery 'stakeholders' roundtable

OBNA board is convening another meeting of 'stakeholders' to discuss Outer Battery issues this week.  Around the table will be the OBNA board, reps from city & provincial tourism, Heritage Foundation, some city councillors, Parks Canada, MP & MHA, etc.  The idea is to get this wide group together every so often to talk about issues that affect us and them.  On the agenda will be:

1: Presentation of Jokinen Outer Battery study (Eric Jokinen) 

2: Parking lot expansion information (city) 

3: Future storm surge likelihood, rising sea levels study 

4: PHB viewplane guidelines applied to fishing structures (city) 

5: Restoration of fishing structures - intentions & outlook (obna) 

6: Signage - liability (city, province) 

7: Proposal for Outer Battery Plan (province) 

We'll let you know what happens, and we'll put up Eric Jokinen's study later this week as we get it, on the DOCUMENTS tab of this blogsite.  It's been commissioned by the Province and OBNA, and is a structural study of remaining heritage fishing properties. His preliminary study is already on the DOCUMENTS tab.

Parking lot expansion plans available

We have finally been successful in getting from the city their plans for doubling the size of the parking lot.  They have issued an August 24 tender call to expand out into the waterfront by about 18 feet.  You can see the detailed plan views by going to our DOCUMENTS tab and clicking on them, or directly here. 

Moratorium extended to Aug 31st

OBNA wrote city council last week, asking them to hold a public meeting to give residents information about the parking lot expansion and listen to residents' desires about the expansion before going ahead with it.  The same letter asked Council to extend the moratorium on demolitions and major city construction until August 31st.
To date we've received no reply from Council about these two requests, but we read in Tuesday's Telegram that on Monday Council voted:
(a) to expand the parking lot at a cost of $400,000
(b) to  extend the moratorium on demolitions and major city construction until August 31st.
The Telegram reported nothing about whether there will be a public meeting, but did report that the parking lot will go out an extra 18 feet into the harbour.

City to double size of parking lot

On Monday, the City Works committee voted to lift the moratorium on major city construction early, and to call tenders to double the size of the parking lot.  OBNA was not informed until after the fact.  Ward councillor Frank Galgay said he pushed this forward at the request of an email he received on Sunday from one resident.   He received an earlier letter in May from another resident opposing the expansion.  This is obviously a contentious issue.   Councillors will vote on the Works committee's recommendation  at the main city council meeting next Monday July 25th, after which it will be final.  Anyone wanting to express their views pro or con to City Council in writing before Monday should probably copy all councillors, in addition to our ward councillor.  Councillor's email addresses can be found here.

There's a report in today's Telegram

In March, OBNA asked the City for a copy of the engineering plans and copy of the environmental impact assessment.  We were told no engineering plans have been completed and that the city will not be carrying out any environmental assessment. City Engineer John Barry forwarded this aerial view:  That's all the information we have.  It appears to eliminate the Wells wharf, and the current west side streetlight.  Compared with the current lot size:

Leave a comment below if you like.

Draft Jokinen study

Eric Jokinen presented a powerpoint to the "stakeholders" roundtable meeting last Friday.  It is a preliminary version of his study of heritage fishing structures on Outer Battery.  He intends a more detailed report to be available mid-August.  The study is commissioned by OBNA and the Heritage Foundation, and funded by the Province.  You can see the draft report on the DOCUMENTS tab.

Sunny Sunday Barbeque

The weather cooperated for the 2nd annual Outer Battery bbq on Sunday.  Great Big Thanks to everyone who helped make it possible.  Thanks to the musicians: bagpipers Ean Parsons & Dave Allison, box player Frank Maher and his concertina friend, bodhran player Rick West, fiddler Christina Smith and her friend, and of course to Mike Walsh for playing Ugly Stick.  Also thanks to Belbins Grocery, Dominion & Sobeys who donated some of the food. If anyone took photos please send them along and we'll put them up here.  Dominique Hurley (www.DominiqueHurley.com) took this pic:

Raffle ticket winners were drawn at the end of Sunday afternoon.  They are: 
Coffee beans donated by Coffee & Co, Water St. won by Sydney Chislett
Crystal birds donated by MaryAnne Wyanandi won also by Sydney Chislett

$25 gift certificate donated by Georgetown Bakery won by Mike Walsh

Battery note cards donated by Red Ochre Gallery won by Christina Smith

$15 gift certificate donated by Coffee Matters won by Emily Connelly

Gift certificate for 2 pizzas donated by Gracie Joe's Cafe, Quidi Vidi Rd won by Anne-Marie Carew

$10 gift certificate donated by Tim Horton's gift certif  won by Angie Drake

$10 gift certificate donated by Tim Horton's gift certif  won by Michel Savard

Blue Moon Pottery brooch won by Wes Pretty

The magnificent wooden firetruck model made by you-know-who was up on separate tickets, and Carl Pearcey drew the winning ticket: Lee-Anne Facey-Crowther.  The draw raised $282 for the summer heritage project (Lisa & Annie). Thank you Carl.
And a new sign has been placed on our signboard.