OTTAWA Construction News staff writer
OTTAWA — The City of Ottawa’s Planning and Housing Committee has recommended refusing an application to expand the city’s urban boundary, after a staff report concluded the city has nearly 25 years of available land supply.
The committee on Wednesday supported the staff recommendation to deny the proposal from O’Keefe Court Inc.. The developer sought to have 72 hectares of land east of Highway 416 and north of O’Keefe Court added to the urban boundary for future residential development.
In its report to the committee, city staff stated the application was premature as “there is sufficient land designated… to accommodate the forecasted growth for the 2021-2046 period.”
Staff analysis confirmed that as of June 30, 2025, Ottawa’s residential land supply stands at 24.8 years. This significantly exceeds the provincial standard, which “requires a minimum 15-year supply of designated residential land.”
The proposed expansion was also deemed unsuitable due to a lack of infrastructure. The staff report noted that “Servicing capacity for water and wastewater is not available” for the lands and that “Significant transportation upgrades… would be required.”
While the boundary expansion was refused, the committee approved Official Plan and zoning amendments for a major retirement home project from All Seniors Care Ottawa Inc.
The project, at 1640 and 1660 Blair Rd. and 1600 Ogilvie Rd., will consist of two high-rise towers of 18 and 22 storeys, connected by a six-storey podium. The development is planned as a “continuum of care facility” and will include 468 dwelling units.
Staff supported the proposal, noting it “represents good planning” and is “compatible” with the area’s density, given its location “approximately 350 metres from Blair Station (a major transit station).”
The committee also gave its approval to Caivan (River Road) Inc. for a new residential subdivision in Riverside South.
Located at 3705 and 3719 River Rd., the development will create 246 new dwellings. The plan includes 84 single-detached homes, 128 townhouse dwellings, and 34 back-to-back townhouse dwellings. Staff confirmed the plan “conforms with the Riverside South Community Design Plan.”
The approvals contribute to the city’s goal of facilitating 151,000 new homes by 2031. According to the city, applicants have been in a position to build roughly 40 per cent of that goal, with approvals for “more than 60,000 new homes” since tracking began in January 2023.
The recommendations from today’s meeting will go before the full City Council for a final vote on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
