Stittsville is changing quickly. New homes, new residents and new development bring opportunities, but they also put pressure on roads, transit, drainage, water systems, businesses, public services and community infrastructure.
We need to plan for the whole community, not just one project at a time.
My Plan of Action is based on four stages: Design, Development, Construction and Maintenance.
DESIGN
Understand the Need Before Finding the Solution
Before supporting a major project or infrastructure decision, we need to understand the actual community need. Consider traffic, transit, roads and intersections, pedestrian and cycling connections, water and wastewater capacity, stormwater and drainage, ground and soil conditions, parks, schools and community facilities, emergency services, public safety, environmental conditions, future population and local business requirements.
First understand the problem. Then design the solution.
DEVELOPMENT
Plan Growth Around Infrastructure
Growth should not happen independently from infrastructure. Review existing infrastructure capacity, future population, traffic impact, transit capacity, road connectivity, water and wastewater, stormwater management, drainage, groundwater and soil conditions, environmental impact, emergency response, public safety, parks and community facilities, and commercial and business needs.
Infrastructure should keep pace with growth.
CONSTRUCTION
Build for Quality, Safety and Long Term Value
When projects move into construction, the focus should be on delivering appropriate quality and long term value. Consider construction coordination, quality control, safety, traffic management during construction, resident and business communication, appropriate materials, project costs, avoiding unnecessary duplication, future capacity and long term performance.
Build it right the first time whenever possible.
MAINTENANCE
Protect What We Build
Infrastructure does not end when construction is complete. We need to plan for roads, sidewalks, drainage systems, parks, public spaces, community facilities, transit infrastructure, preventive maintenance, repairs, replacement cycles and long term operating costs.
Protect today's investment so taxpayers do not pay more tomorrow.
Bring the Right Expertise to the Table
Our community has professionals, experienced residents and retired experts who understand many of the challenges facing a growing city. Their knowledge should be part of the conversation.
Architecture & Urban Design
Architects, urban designers and planning professionals.
Engineering & Infrastructure
Civil, structural, municipal and transportation engineers.
Construction & Project Management
Construction professionals, project managers, contractors and cost specialists.
Geotechnical & Ground Conditions
Experts in soil, groundwater, ground stability, foundations and drainage conditions.
Water & Stormwater
Hydrologists, water resource specialists and drainage professionals.
Transportation & Transit
Traffic engineers, transportation planners and transit professionals.
Public Safety
People with experience in policing, fire services, emergency management and public safety.
Environment
Environmental professionals, ecologists and sustainability specialists.
Policy & Government
Policy analysts, researchers, municipal professionals and people with government experience.
Finance & Value Analysis
Financial professionals, economists, procurement specialists and people with value engineering or life cycle costing experience.
Business & Economic Development
Business owners, entrepreneurs and people with commercial and economic development experience.
Accessibility & Community Services
Professionals and residents with experience in accessibility, seniors, recreation and community services.
Residents
The most important expertise is the experience of the people who live here.
Professional expertise matters. Local experience matters too. We need both.
How the Advisory Process Works
These community groups would provide knowledge, advice and recommendations. Final decisions would continue to follow the City's legal, regulatory, budgetary and administrative processes.
Every Month: You Raise It. We Track It. We Report Back.
Residents should not have to raise the same issue repeatedly without knowing what happened.
YOU RAISE THE CONCERN
Residents bring forward problems, ideas and priorities.
WE DOCUMENT IT
Issues are recorded and categorized.
WE FOLLOW UP
The appropriate City department, committee, organization or authority is contacted.
WE REPORT BACK
At the next Town Hall, residents receive an update.
No disappearing issues. No forgotten concerns.
A Strong Community Needs Strong Local Businesses
Stittsville is growing, but growth should mean more than new houses. A complete community needs businesses, services, employment opportunities and places where residents can meet their everyday needs.
Grocery stores, gas stations, EV charging, coffee shops, restaurants, pharmacies, childcare, professional services, local shops and everyday community services all matter to a complete neighbourhood.
We should identify where services are missing and understand what infrastructure, transportation and planning conditions are needed to support appropriate business growth.
The goal is not for government to choose which businesses succeed. The goal is to create a community where local businesses have an opportunity to establish, grow and serve residents.
GROWTH
We cannot plan housing separately from the infrastructure and services that make a community work.
Growth should be coordinated with roads, transit, drainage, water, businesses, public services, parks, safety and the long term needs of residents.
What Do I Mean by Value Engineering?
Value engineering means asking whether we are achieving the right result, at the right quality, with the right design and the best long term value for taxpayers.
Lowest price is not always the best value. Smart value means quality, function, durability and long term cost.
From Promises to Progress
I want residents to be able to see not only what I said during the campaign, but what happened afterward.
Let's Build a Better Stittsville Together
Better planning does not happen from one office or one person. It happens when residents, professionals, businesses and government work together.