Three Housing Projects Here Will Be Speeded Hoard Of Engineers To Investigate Bronon And Mann Avenue Areas Where Building Is Planned Plans for three residential subdivisions which will provide 1,300 housing units when completed, were submitted for approval to the Ottawa Planning Area Committee, meeting Thursday in its inaugural session for 1947. The subdivision, at Manor Park Mann avenue, and in the Rideau river-Bronson avenue -Dow Lake area, will be investigated oy an advisory board of engineers, the committee decided. Recommendations will then be submitted to Hon. Dana Porter. Ontario minister of Planning and Reconstruction. D. P. Cruikshank, reeve of Rock-cliffe, whom the meeting unanimously elected chairman for 1947, said the subdivision plans would be dealt with as speedily as possible. Mayor Stanley Lewis said it was essential that housing projects such as the 400 apartments Contemplated for the Mann avenue area be not held back by administrative delays. A E. K. Bunnell, consultant to the city, explained the functions the committee would fulfil under the Ontario Planning Act. He pointed out that the Ottawa Planning group had no absolute right of approval on plans submitted by municipalities. "Rather, these plans are submitted for your judgment and consideration, so that you can establish whether the plan warrants your recommendation to the minister of planning," Mr. Bunnell stated. Advisory Body Mr. Bunnell said he did not believe the committee's work would infringe on municipal management. "I believe the municipalities will welcome this committee because community planning in the past has been largely negative. They will think of your group as an advisory body and not one that is over-reaching its jurisdiction." The committee was informed that plans of subdivisions were approved by the municipalities before being submitted. Mr. Bunnell said, however, that a municipality might, if it so desired, submit a plan directly to Hon. Dana Porter without consulting the planning committee. Reference was made to a section of the Planning Act which states that planning bodies will "investigate physical, social and economic conditions" in the areas under consideration. Committee mem bers decided this meant they would deal with the question of schools, water service, and sewers as well as other matters, in regard to any subdivisions submitted for approval. Correspondence read at the meeting included a letter from the Federal District Commission, stressing the need for co-operation of the different planning bodies in the Ottawa area in arriving at a common policy on housing and zone clearance. The Township of Gloucester asked that Manor Park and adjacent area be declared a residential area. Other communications dealt with the closing of streets in outlying townships. Con. Finley McRae suggested there might be some overlapping in the duties of the Ottawa Area Planning Committee and the National Capital Planning Committee. F. E. Bronson. chairman cf the Federal District Commission said the two bodies would have to work closely together. Co-relation of their activities would be aided materially by the fact that a number of individuals sat on both committees. The committee set up a tentative budget of $5,000 for its activities during the year. It was decided to establish office quarters in the Transportation building. Fred Pritchard of the city clerk's office was named secretary. Members Named to the consulting body of engineers which will advise the planning committee were: Cir.y Works Commissioner Frank C. Askwith; assistant commissioner C D. Wright; Waterworks Engineer W. E. MacDonald; A. E. K. Bunnell; W. L. Cassells, consulting engineer for Rockcliffe; Alan K. Hay, Federal District Commission superintendent; and S. E. Farley, consulting engineer for Eastview. E. Vicn was unanimously elected vice-chairman of the planning committee. Other members present, in addition to chairman D. P. M. Walsh, who was chairman of the meeting, added that "Hull is very enthusiastic about our bylaw." The meeting, on the motion of Aid. Hamilton, decided to sponsor a dinner in the near future to which city officials and members of the civic town planning committee would be invited to hear a presentation of the anti-smoke program and a progress report. From 30 to 40 persons would be invited to receive such details. Committee Secretary Alfred T. Hastey was instructed to make early arrangements for the gathering so that a general discussion of plans could be conducted before the proposed bylaw is submitted to the Ontario Legislature for approval. M. Walsh Chairman Aid. Walsh was re-elected chairman of the smoke committee. Aid. Roy Donaldson was returned to the vice-chairmanship while Mr. Hastey continues as secretary. A sub-committee was appointed to prepare the committees estimates for the consideration of the Board of Control. Those dealing with the estimates comprise Aid. John Powers, Aid. J. P. Tardif and Aid. McMillan, with the chairman and vice-chairman. There was some discussion re garding a recommendation for the appointment of a chief assist ant to T. A. Warner, smoke abate ment superintendent, but action was deferred pending a study of possible candidates for the posi tion. Native Of Cumberland Dr. I. W. McEachcrn Dies EDMONTON, Feb. 6 (CP) Dr. I. W. T. McEarchern, 75 prominent Edmonton doctor for 30 years, died suddenly here today. Although he retired from active pra.tice about a year ago, he had still carried on as a doctor la the cancer clinic, devoting much time to this work. Born in Cumberland., Ont. he look much of his early education in the east and was a graduate of McGill University in 1903- In 1904 he came west, settling near Wetaskiwin, Alta., and at that time was the only doctor between here and Saskatoon. In 1907 he established a 20-bed hospital in Bawlf, Alta. Cruikshank were: Mayor Lewis (ex-officio) Con. G. W. Goodwin, E. A. Bourque. and F. McRae; F. E Bronson, Watson Sellar, and Norman B. MacRostie. ' Con. G. M Geldert sat in on the meeting as an observer.