Council – Accommodation Tax

 

Visitors staying in Kingston hotels, motels and B&Bs will be charged a special 4% tax starting on August 1st.

Kingston City Council voted unanimously (11-0) in favour of the new 4% tax at its meeting last night.  The accommodation tax will be mandatory.  Guest won’t be able to refuse to pay the tax.

The city estimates it will bring in $3 million a year for tourism related promotions.

 

OMB Cost – Capitol Condo

 

The cost of the appeal of the 16 storey Capitol Condo project in downtown Kingston has come in at $100,000.  The Frontenac Heritage Foundation and three individuals spent that money to make their case at the Ontario Municipal Board. They’ve raised $60,000 and have scheduled two fundraisers to help raise the remaining $40,000. It’s not known when the decision on the Capital Condo project will be made.

 

Council – Apartment Complex

 

Kingston city council is expected to approve a massive apartment complex on Princess Street at its meeting on June 26th.  The planning committee unanimously approved the Podium Developments complex last week.

The 10 storey building will have 359 dwelling units and will cover the entire block of north Princess Street from Frontenac to Albert Streets.

 

Development Walks

 

The city of Kingston is hosting neighbourhood walks to get feedback on urban design as part of the Central Kingston Growth Strategy.

The first of the neighbourhood walks is scheduled to take place from 6:30 to 8 tonight with people meeting at the corner of Nickle Avenue and Curtis Crescent.

You can register on Eventbrite.

Three other walks are scheduled including one this Saturday.

 

Man in Van

 

The OPP and Kingston Police are warning the public about incidents involving a man offering children candy to get into his van.  The OPP says it has received at least three reports about children being approached in Amherstview…the man is described as being in his mid-60s with a gray beard and his vehicle is described as an older model Dodge minivan that is silver or white in colour.

Kingston Police say they’ve had reports of two similar incidents – but no van was seen and the man has been described as being in his 20’s.

 

Sexual Assault

 

A 34-year-old Kingston man is facing assault, and sexual assault charges involving his teenage stepdaughter. Kingston Police say they began their investigation on June 3rd and determined the man had been sexually assaulting the girl in the early morning hours of March and April.

He was arrested on June 8th.

 

Vehicle – Skateboarder

 

A 29 year old Kingston man is facing charges of assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a vehicle and breach of probation after a skateboarder was run down by a vehicle.

Kingston Police say it happened in the area of Weller Avenue and Compton Street last Thursday afternoon.

The victim suffered minor injuries.

The 29 year old was arrested at an address on Weller Avenue on Saturday and his vehicle was seized.

 

History File

 

From Tony’s Today in History File…

It was on this day…June 13th, 1841 that the first Canadian parliament opened in Kingston…Canada’s first capital.

Lord Sydenham was the Governor General who chose Kingston as the capital of the United Canada’s and the first meeting of Parliament was held on the site of what is now Kingston General Hospital.

The city will celebrate First Capital Day with activities in City Park on Friday.