Student housing in Orchard Park/Sherwood Forest

The ratepayers are continuing to compile a list of addresses where the homes are rented out and not occupied by the owners.   The list goes to the rental licensing area of city hall which will check to see if there is a license for this use.  While it is currently a legal use, there are limits. 

If you would like to have a location reviewed, you can either the city’s call Residential Rental Units Licensing enquiries at 519-930-3515, or you can contact Sandy Levin with the address and he will  submit the information.  At least 5% of the homes in the area are being used as rentals.

Ratepayers Annual General Meeting scheduled for May 1

The Ratepayers Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be May 1 at Orchard Park Public School.  The formal meeting will start at 7 pm, but come a little early and meet some new friends and neighbours.  A flyer will be coming to your mailbox later this month.  On the agenda will be a report and recommendation from the Sherwood Forest School site group and an update on the Medway Valley Heritage Forest Conservation Master Plan.  A representative from the City’s by law enforcement staff will be in attendance for a presentation and Q and A about by law enforcement and student housing matters.

Medway Valley – Public Meeting on Apr 9

On  Tuesday, April 9th at 7:30 pm at city hall, there will be a public participation meeting about trail planning in the Medway Valley south of Sunningdale Road.  This is the first application of the City’s new trailing planning guidelines.  These same guidelines will be used in the Conservation Master Plan under way for the section of the Valley near Orchard Park/Sherwood Forest.  The guidelines deal where pavement can and cannot go.  The decision made by City Council on the Valley north of us may influence what happens next in our area. 

You can review the city staff’s recommendation on the Planning and Environment Committee agenda for April 9th, which can be found at: 
http://london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Meetings/Default/meetingpackages.htm

Save the Dates

Ratepayer Annual General Meeting – May 1, 2013

Our Annual General Meeting will be May 1st at 6:45 pm at Orchard Park Public School. Come to meet neighbours, hear about the Sherwood Forest School Site, and the Medway Valley Conservation Master Plan. We will also have a representative from the city’s by law enforcement staff to talk about student housing issues. Look for a flyer in your mailbox this April.

We will also be electing the Ratepayers Executive. If you are interested in being part of the Executive, please contact Sandy Levin. Information about positions and duties is available
here.

Buckthorn Busting – June 18, 2013

Meet at the Longbow Entrance to the Medway Valley Heritage Forest, Tuesday, June 18th, 5 pm to 8 pm. The rain date is Wednesday June 19th.

Buckthorn is a non native shrub that forms dense thickets that quickly shade out and compete with native species. Buckthorn has been here for about a century; it was planted initially to stop soil erosion. Since then it has become so common that you probably have some on your own property. It has spread into the city’s parks and Environmentally Significant Areas like the Medway Valley Heritage Forest. Come out and “bust some buckthorn.” Students can earn community service hours.

Medway Seniors Series March Social

By popular request, an opportunity to just relax and chat.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 13th from 2 to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Sherwood Library
WHAT: “An afternoon of meeting your neighbours, fun and information”

Beat the traffic downtown and come out to this free event with no registration required. Bring a friend!

For more information, call 519-473-9965.