The Elmvale Acres Shopping Centre is a step closer to a $300-million long-term redevelopment after city council’s planning committee approved in late June amendments to the Official Plan and zoning by-law.
RioCan Management plans to redevelop the site at 1910 St. Laurent Blvd. into a mixed-use centre connecting to transit, offer better connections for pedestrians and include more green space. The development will be carried out in phases over the next 10 to 15 years, subject to further detailed design. Construction could begin in 2018.
The developer reduced original building design and density following consultation with community groups to three 16-storey buildings, a nine-storey building and three standalone commercial buildings. The project includes 575 one and two-bedroom rental units.
The tallest buildings would be built along St. Laurent Blvd. The nine-story storey structure would be at the site’s northern tip, while there would be two storey buildings along Othello Ave., and a new 3,150 sq. m. park at the development’s southern tip.
In other decisions, the planning committee approved a zoning amendment to allow for a residential development as part of the Kanata South Business Park. Townhouses, stacked and low-rise apartment buildings are proposed for the site at 1039 Terry Fox Dr. and 5331 Fernbank Rd., similar to the Trail West residential development to the east.
Members agreed that a heritage permit should be issued for the property at 429 Lansdowne Ave. N. in Rockcliffe Park. Additions to the two-storey heritage building will involve replacing the small garage to the north and adding a more contemporary design to the rear. The completed building will be L-shaped, but the changes are not expected to impact the property’s cultural heritage character.
The committee also approved a business owner’s long-sought zoning amendment to permit the Wellington Diner to operate a patio at the corner of Wellington St. And Western Ave.
“While the patio is located closer to a residential zone than permitted by the zoning by-law, the proposed patio will contribute to the evolution of Wellington St., which has continued to mature into a pedestrian-friendly corridor that features restaurants, retail businesses and outdoor amenity spaces,” the city said in a news release.
The planning committee decisions will go to the full city council on July 12 for a final vote.
