Ottawa Construction News staff writer
The City of Ottawa’s planning and housing committee has approved amendments to official plan and zoning rules that would allow a six-tower residential development to be built near St. Laurent Station.
The project envisions two blocks of high-rise buildings southwest of Coventry and Belfast roads, divided by a new east-west public road. The north block would feature two towers of 25 and 28 storeys, with 1,800 square metres of new public park space and ground-floor commercial space along Coventry Road. The south block would include four towers ranging from 21 to 35 storeys. Together, the development would create nearly 1,770 new dwelling units.
Amendments increase permitted building heights and densities. Heights for the north block would rise from 20 to 30 storeys, while the south block could reach up to 35 storeys. Zoning changes also reclassify the area from General Mixed-Use to Transit Oriented Development, supporting a compact, walkable community near rapid transit. The amendments clarify tower setbacks, minimum separations, and the width of the new public road.
The committee also approved plans for an eight-storey building in the Lindenlea community, northeast of Beechwood Avenue and Springfield Road. The development would include 123 units, from studios to two-bedroom apartments, with 550 square metres of ground-floor retail space to energize Beechwood Avenue.
Public space improvements are part of the proposal, including a new protected westbound bike lane, sidewalks, commercial patios, and landscaped areas. While most of the building would be seven storeys, the highest point at the corner of Springfield and Beechwood would reach eight storeys. The zoning amendment raises permitted height from 20 to 24.7 metres, reduces setback requirements, and increases minimum bike parking to at least one space per unit.
The city has a goal to build 151,000 market homes by 2031. From early 2023 to the end of 2024, approvals were granted for more than 52,000 units, roughly one-third of that goal. If Council approves the land-use changes recommended this week, developers could build another 1,912 homes. Since January, the Planning and Housing Committee has enabled the development of an estimated 7,400 new dwellings.
Council will vote on the committee’s recommendations on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
