Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Ottawa’s Planning and Housing Committee has approved a new long-term plan for the area around Lincoln Fields Station. The plan would see the area transformed into a transit-oriented community over the next 25 years, with a focus on residential and commercial development.
The Lincoln Fields Secondary Plan builds around the existing O-Train transfer station and future rapid transit on Carling Avenue. The plan proposes a new main street and park space on the site of the former Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre, as well as new pedestrian and cycling routes.
The most significant aspect of the plan is the proposed development of 11 high-rise buildings on the former shopping centre site, along with approximately one hectare of parkland. A new north-south main street connecting Richmond Road and Carling Avenue would feature separated lanes for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.
The plan proposes reconfiguring the Kichi Zībī Mikan/Carling Avenue intersection by removing existing ramps and creating a new signalized intersection. This change would open up opportunities for additional high-rise housing near the station. The city and National Capital Commission (NCC) have identified four potential areas for redevelopment in the Pinecrest Creek valley, including the lands where the ramps are currently located.
The approved plan also includes amendments to the Official Plan and related policies to streamline the zoning application process for certain minor developments. This includes delegating decisions on applications requesting height increases of up to five storeys or 25 per cent of the permitted building height to city staff.
The committee also approved a set of zoning amendments to facilitate the development of six city-owned properties for affordable housing, with the potential to create at least 60 new units across the city.
If approved by City Council, the land-use permissions recommended by the committee will help facilitate the construction of 512 new homes in Ottawa.
