On May 16th a joint community cleanup with Rosemont was held by CHCA at the community hall. It was a hugh success and we would like to thank the volunteers from both communities for a job well done. Thanks also should passed on to the City employees without whom the cleanup would not have been possible nor run so efficiently. Hopefully this will be the first of a continuing partnership with our neighbouring communities to bring mutually beneficial programs to the residents in our area of the City.

The annual CHCA Stampede Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, July 11th from 9-11AM. This is always a popular event for the whole family so be sure to mark it on your calendar. Like most events participation and volunteering is key to continuation. We need help to run these events and maintain their level of excellence. If you can help out this year with the breakfast please contact the committee at cambrianheights@gmail.com or phone our Social Director Jodi Dixon at 403-276-4242.

With the new fiscal year we are hoping to add additional events in the Fall to compliment our very successful annual Halloween Party at the end of October. We have recently approved a new fiscal budget which envisions additional programs and events. Check our website for details of all social events, news and contact information. If you wish to volunteer for any of these events or propose new events or programs please do so by contacting any of the Directors listed in the newsletter or website. Get involved to support and make your community a better place to live!

As a first step in promoting new community activities the Board has approved a $100 maximum grant for community block parties. This grant will be provided to a maximum of 10 such block parties over the 2016 fiscal year (April/2015-March/2016). Application for this grant can be made through the community email address. Costs will be reimbursed (excluding alcoholic beverages) with receipts pertaining to organized block parties with broad attendance of all age groups.

We continue to encourage all residents to participate in the community activities and future planning by joining the association and communicating your thoughts either through emails or by attending one of our Board meetings which are always open for residents. The website now provides memberships to be subscribed over the internet for convenience of the residents. There is also a registration for all members or residents who wish to receive email notifications of special events or issues of interest to the community. Also for the first time we have amended our Bylaws to allow for Corporate memberships. We will be approaching the business community for their input on fostering improved relationships and participation between residents and local business in 2015 and beyond.

On behalf of the Board;

Daryl Connolly, President

On April 28th the Community Annual General Meeting was held at the community hall. It was well attended with 40-50 residents. A slide show was presented for those who were unable to attend. Financial data for the last two years were presented along with a review of last year’s activity, programs and capital expenditures. The Board also highlighted objectives for the following year after the elections were completed. Following the formal part of the meeting our guest Druh Farrell, Councillor for Ward 7 spoke on the issue of the secondary suite bylaw proposals scheduled to be voted on by City Council in early May. A very lively discussion took place as questions and comments were solicited from the residents present. Prior to Druh Farrell’s presentation the CHCA Board has summarized their opposition to the proposed bylaw amendments. To be clear the Board and those in attendance were not opposed to secondary suites but rather the process by which the city had fast tracked the bylaw changes for RC-1 zoning in Wards 7,8,9 and 11. This concern has been mirrored by other community associations within the impacted Wards who have shared their concern with our Planning Committee.

After this discussion another issue was raised concerning a two story house (DP 2015 – 1225) being built on 23 Cumberland Drive. The house design does not appear to be in compliance with the certificate of title, specifically caveat 7778H put in place by the City when the neighbourhood was developed. This is essentially a “view”, “height” and “house size” issue as it relates to neighbouring residences. A very lively discussion occurred. Wine and cheese was then served for the rest of the evening with discussions on both these issues and the community occurring in smaller groups. The evening was an excellent event for the community residents and we thank Druh Farrell for her participation.

The development issue is relevant for the community at large and not just those offsetting the proposed development, as this caveat is in place for many residences throughout Cambrian Heights. The question will revolve around the 2007 Land Use Bylaw amendments passed by City Council to replace all previous development guidelines. The Planning Committee has filed comments as to the caveats with the City Planning Department and awaits their decision for this particular permit. This will no doubt act as another precedent for future development in the community as new developments occur with generally larger footprint houses being built.

On May 16th a joint community cleanup with Rosemont community is being run by CHCA at the community hall. Hopefully this will be the first of a continuing partnership with our neighbouring communities to bring mutually beneficial programs to the residents in our area of the City.

The annual CHCA Stampede Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, July 11th from 9-11AM. This is always a popular event for the whole family so be sure to mark it on your calendar. Like most events participation is key to continuation as is volunteering. We need help to run these events and maintain their level of excellence. If you can help out this year with the breakfast please contact the committee at cambrianheights@gmail.com or phone our Social Director Jodi Dixon at 403-276-4242.

With the new fiscal year we are hoping to add additional events in the Fall to compliment our very successful annual Halloween Party at the end of October. Check our website for details of all social events, news and contact information. If you wish to volunteer for any of these events or propose new events or programs please do so by contacting any of the Directors listed in the newsletter or website. Get involved to support and make a better community!

We encourage all residents to participate in the community activities and future planning by joining the association and communicating your thoughts either through emails or by attending one of our Board meetings which are always open for residents. The website now provides memberships to be subscribed over the internet for convenience of the residents. There is also a registration for all members or residents who wish to receive email notifications of special events or issues of interest to the community. Also for the first time we have amended our Bylaws to allow for Corporate memberships. We will be approaching the business community for their input on fostering improved relationships and participation between residents and local business in 2015 and beyond.

On behalf of the Board;
Daryl Connolly, President

Our next event is the Community Cleanup Program on May 16th from 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Cambrian Heights Community Hall (600 Northmount Drive). This cleanup event is being held on a joint basis with Rosemont Community. This will involve household waste, yard waste home electronics and appliances, non alkaline car batteries and tires metals and reusable clothing. Please check for more details in the newsletter or on the website.

The annual CHCA Stampede Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, July 11th. This is always a popular event for the whole family so be sure to mark it on your calendar.

With the new fall year we are hoping to add additional events in the Fall to compliment our very successful annual Halloween Party at the end of October. Check our website for details of all social events, news and contact information. If you wish to volunteer for any of these events please do so by contacting any of the Directors listed in the newsletter or website. Get involved to support and make a better community!

The Cambrian Heights Planning Committee was formed to monitor and respond appropriately to development applications within our community. The most significant of these issues in 2015 is the change in how Secondary Suites are regulated for all R land use districts in wards 7, 8, 9 and 11 as proposed by City Council. These regulations would allow Permitted Use (e.g. basement suites) and Discretionary Use (e.g. backyard suites) in all R designated districts as approved by the Development Authority. The Cambrian heights Board will be considering at its April 13th meeting a resolution dealing with this proposal. We continue to invite residents to comment with their opinions to our cambrianheights@gmail.com address.

As mentioned last month we are planning further work on the Hall and to the kitchen facilities and are awaiting a decision on City support grants. The City has elected to request additional testing of the air ventilation systems prior to proceeding with the upgrades. These will be undertaken as soon as possible. When these upgrades are completed we will restore the kitchen to full cooking facility status allowing expanded utilization in the future. This and all other program activities are undertaken within the financial ability of the Community, which currently remains solid due to hall rental income and casino proceeds. We have additional long term plans for the facility that were highlighted at our April 26th Annual general Meeting. We encourage all residents to participate in the community activities and future planning by joining the association and communicating your thoughts either through emails or by attending one of our Board meetings which are always open to community residents.

On behalf of the Board;

Daryl Connolly, President