Committee approves six-tower development near St. Laurent Station

The Planning and Housing Committee today approved Official Plan and zoning amendments to facilitate a six-tower development with a new public park near St. Laurent Station.

Two blocks of high-rise buildings are proposed with almost 1,770 dwelling units southwest of Coventry and Belfast roads. The two blocks would be divided by a new east-west public road. The north block would have a new 1,800-square-metre public park and two towers (25 and 28 storeys). The ground floor would have commercial space facing Coventry Road. The south block would have four towers (21, 31, 33 and 35 storeys).

The Official Plan amendment would increase permitted height and density. For the north block, permitted height would increase from 20 to 30 storeys, and minimum required density would also increase. For the south block, permitted height would increase from 30 to 35 storeys. The zoning amendment would change the parent zoning from General Mixed-Use to Transit Oriented Development, aligning with the aim of creating a compact and walkable community near a rapid transit station. It would increase permitted building heights and confirm right-of-way widths for the new public road, building setbacks and minimum tower separations.

Eight-storey building promises more housing, public realm improvements in Lindenlea

The Committee also approved zoning amendments that would facilitate development of an eight-storey building in the Lindenlea community, northeast of Beechwood Avenue and Springfield Road. The building would include 123 dwelling units in a range of sizes, from studios to two-bedroom units. It would also have about 550 square metres of retail space on the ground floor to help increase life and energy along Beechwood Avenue.

The proposal would keep the existing bus stop on Springfield Road and add several improvements to the surrounding public spaces. These include a new protected westbound bike lane, new sidewalks, new commercial patios, and landscaped areas and boulevards to support the growth of trees.

While the proposed maximum height is eight storeys, most of the building will be seven storeys. The greatest heights and densities are located at the Springfield Road and Beechwood Avenue intersection. The development lowers in height on the east side of the building to ensure appropriate transitions to and separation from existing low-rise buildings nearby.

The zoning amendment would retain the Traditional Mainstreet parent zone and increase permitted height from 20 to 24.7 metres. It would also reduce setback and step-back requirements as well as required residential parking. Minimum bike parking would increase to at least one space per unit.

Tracking Ottawa’s housing approvals

To help address the housing crisis, City Council committed to providing home builders enough opportunities to build 151,000 quality market homes by 2031. The City tracks the progress of residential development in Ottawa and shares that data through an interactive housing approvals dashboard.

From Q1 2023 to Q4 2024, Council provided approvals for more than 52,000 new homes, putting applicants in a position to build roughly one third of the homes required to meet that 2031 goal. If Council approves the land-use permissions recommended today by the Planning and Housing Committee, applicants will be in a position to build another 1,912 new dwellings. Since the start of 2025, it is estimated this Committee has enabled the development of approximately 7,400 new dwellings.

City Council will consider the recommendations from today’s meeting on Wednesday, August 27.