Ottawa Construction News staff writer
Theia Partners and Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services have proposed a two-building project with more than 200 new housing units near the future Sherbourne LRT station, at 30 Cleary Ave. in Ottawa’s west-end.
Documentation for a municipal Planning and Housing Committee meeting on Aug. 28 says OAHa would administer the six-story building, with 66 affordable housing units for Indigenous residents. The neighbouring 16-story tower would have 148 apartments to be rented at market rats.
The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa currently has a two-storey church on the 5.5 acre property, which also includes a four-storey retirement home and a one-storey daycare centre. These structures, on the site’s northwestern portion, would be retained.
There is provision for 155 underground car parking spaces, and 219 bicycle spots. The new buildings will be 200 metres north of the Sherbourne LRT station the on Confederation Line Phase 2, currently under construction.
The developers are seeking a rezoning, allowing for an increase in the allowable height to 49.8 m. from the current 15 m. Limit, to accommodate the highrise.
Not everyone is happy with the proposed project. Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh, representing the area, says the proposed buildings’ closeness to the property lines of nearby residents has been “a contentious issue.” As well, he observed some occupants of the seniors residence on the site are concerned about increased traffic.
“Building housing near transit is essential to creating a sustainable and efficient city,” she wrote. “However, I ask the Unitarian Congregation and Theia Partners continue to work with the neighbouring Woodroffe North homes to ensure as little disruption to their community as possible.”
In another project, Gatineau-based KTS Properties proposes to turn a Centretown site currently used as a medical office into a nine-storey structure with more than 1,800 sq. ft. of ground-floor commercial space and 218 residential units.
In addition to the project at 381 Kent St. between Gilmour and James streets, KTS would construct a 4,100 sq. ft. park on the site’s southwest corner.
