Ottawa Construction News staff writer
Ottawa’s municipal Planning Committee has approved a zoning amendment to facilitate the development of a residential subdivision south of the Jock River and north of River Run Avenue, west of Greenbank Road, in the city’s southern Barrhaven West area.
The proposed development includes 98 single-detached units and 421 townhomes for a total of 519 dwellings. The plan also includes 11 new streets and a centrally located park. A stormwater management facility and two open space areas are planned as well. The current flood plain boundary is proposed to be modified through a cut-fill permit application with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.
At the its meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 9), the committee also passed a zoning amendment to allow development of a low-rise apartment building on Renaud Road, between Mullin Private and Glenlivet Avenue, in Chapel Hill South. The building would include eight two-bedroom units and parking in the rear yard.
The applicant has also put forward a second development concept that would include construction of a new semi-detached dwelling on the western part of the site and the retention of the existing dwelling on the eastern portion. The proposed zoning amendment would accommodate either option, and permit the low-rise apartment land use. Additional exceptions are proposed to alter required setbacks, eliminate narrow lots for townhouse dwellings, and require a larger front yard setback to provide space for trees.
In other business, the Committee received the Build Ottawa 2023 Annual Report. Formerly the Ottawa Community Lands Development Corporation, Build Ottawa was rebranded in December 2023. As part of its new mandate, it prioritizes the sale or redevelopment of surplus lands for affordable housing. Build Ottawa did not complete any land sales in 2023 as the new mandate meant staff spent the year evaluating sites for affordable housing.
Two properties were marketed but received no offers. The first, at 3179 Conroy Rd., was designated for industrial uses but staff are evaluating recent provincial legislative changes that might permit redesignating the land for residential development.
The second, at 2060 Lanthier Dr., was proposed for residential development, but one of the conditions of sale involved construction of a portion of Vanguard Drive and no offers were received. The corporation has now secured provincial funding to help with that road construction and the parcel of land will soon be remarketed.
Since its inception, Build Ottawa has recorded total sales exceeding $108 million, providing $7.1 million to affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Land and Funding Policy, the City of Ottawa said in a statement.
The committee also passed an omnibus Official Plan Amendment to implement a series of policy and mapping updates to the Official Plan. The updates intend to ensure that the Official Plan aligns with Provincial legislation, is accurate, and is effective, the statement says.
City Council will review and vote on the committee’s recommendations next Wednesday (Oct. 16).
