Application for Proposed 26-Storey Tower at Montreal Road and Blair Goes to Ottawa Planning Committee
Actual context, proposed tower at Montreal and Blair Roads / Image: Google Earth + Rendering by Roderick Lahey Architect Inc.
The City of Ottawa’s Planning Department has determined its position and released a Staff Report conveying its recommendations re: the Application for a proposed 26-storey tower at the northeast corner of Blair and Montreal Roads.
The Staff Report does not support the proposed tower development.
Read the Staff Report in its entirety HERE.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:
Ottawa’s Planning Committee will consider the Report and vote on whether to support the Report recommendations when it meets on September 8. (The Meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel.) Planning Committee’s resulting recommendation will then be conveyed to City Council.
Thursday, 8 September 2022 | Meeting begins at 9:30 am.
See the PC Meeting Agenda HERE.
Ottawa City Council will consider Planning Committee’s recommendation when it meets (date to be confirmed), and will cast its own vote to approve or reject the Application.
BACKGROUND:
As residents will recall, an Application proposing a 26-storey residential tower at the corner of Blair and Montreal Roads was filed in 2021. The zoning for this location currently allows a maximum of 9 storeys.
The application has sparked considerable opposition from the RHPOA and Rothwell Heights residents.
In July 2021, the RHPOA wrote and submitted to the city’s Planning Department a detailed critique and analysis in justification of its opposition to the proposed development. In addition, more than 200 comments of opposition from area residents were received by the City.
In early September 2021, the City of Ottawa hosted a well-attended community information session during which residents were able to question the developer’s project team. The public commentaries were unanimous in their position that the proposed building is too tall for this location.
Also in September, the recommendations of the Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP) included advisories for the applicant to consider a mid-rise development as a potential alternative to a 26-storey tower, as well as a design which was more compatible with the suburban character of the surrounding area. A mid-rise building is defined as up to 9 storeys in height (under the applicable Official Plan).
Councillor Tim Tierney continues to support this position.
The RHPOA strongly supports the assessment by City Planners, and will make a submission to that effect to Planning Committee. Resident comments can also be submitted to Kelly Crozier, Planning Committee Coordinator at Kelly.Crozier@ottawa.ca
For more information about the tower Application, visit Tower | 1649 Montreal on our website and scroll down for complete news.