OTTAWA – Kanata North will vote on continuing the mosquito-control program and pay for it on their own through a levy.

“Residents of Kanata North could vote early next year on whether to continue the mosquito-control program and to pay for it through an area-specific levy on their property taxes,” Ottawa city staff released in a statement today. “The city’s Finance and Economic Development committee (FEDCO) approved the vote on whether the city should continue to apply a pesticide to stagnant water in Kanata North every year, until 2023, to prevent mosquito larvae from hatching earlier today (Oct. 1).”

Prior to the vote, ward Coun. Jenna Sudds would engage with residents and provide information about the program, both online and through community town-hall events.

Residents may also be able to vote on buying the Stonebridge Golf Course.

If approved by council, residents of the Stonebridge community could vote later this month on whether to pay a special levy to buy the Stonebridge Golf Course for $6 million from Mattamy Homes, following the committee’s approval.

“After extensive discussions with the community, Mattamy Homes withdrew its original development application for the golf course,” city staff said. “Mattamy will proceed with an application to develop 158 units on a portion of the site and has agreed to operate the golf course for another 10 years and not develop the land if the Stonebridge community buys the 198-acre property.”

To comply with provincial legislation, the city would have to buy the golf course. After collecting the special levy, the city could then transfer the land to the local community group for a nominal amount to operate or return to greenspace.

FEDCO also approved a $142,298 brownfield grant to cover half of costs to remediate land at 101 and 103 Pinhey St. in Hintonburg. The applicant plans to build a four-storey condominium with 24 residential units and one level of underground parking. Once occupied, the properties would generate an estimated $10 million a year in increased taxes.

Items requiring council approval will be considered on Wednesday, Oct.  9.