News Article

Carp Ridge Landowner is Responsive to Environment

From The Ottawa Citizen, October 31st, 2004

Re: An inherent conflict, OCT 21.

It's understandable that letter-writer Mike O'Reilly would question my dismay regarding the proposed development in the middle of the Carp Ridge, since I own land on the ridge.

My property underwent a strict environmental assessment to ensure protection of sensitive areas. Nineteen acres of the 190 werer deemed safe to build on and the rest was submitted to a stewardship program. The 19 acres comprise former farmland and do not include wetlands.

The associated business, Carp Ridge Ecowellness Centre, which includes a natural health clinic and a charitable organization to share information on health and sustainability in the community, operates within careful guidelines such as non-toxic construction methods and aims to showcase environmentally friendly alternatives.

I'm not one of those people who moves to the country and wants to exclude others. My property is zoned for "staff housing" in demonstration eco houses, and will be shared with people who can actively support local and global sustainability.

There's a big difference between puting up a few environmentally friendly buildings on the edge of the ridge, where there are already quite a few residences, and creating a new subdivision in the middle of a tract of pristine wilderness that is close to the city and precious to protect.

Katherine Willow,
Woodlawn