The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has approved plans to build a 180-unit private student residence in Ottawa’s Sandy Hill neighbourhood.
Viner Assets appealed to the OMB after being rejected last spring by Ottawa city council. The official plan and zoning bylaw amendments were requested by the developer for properties they own on Laurier Avenue East and Friel Street.
Both the planning department and planning committee endorsed the proposal, despite it being rejected by the mayor and council on March 27. The company’s proposed nine-storey building would hold an estimated 630 students.
It would also feature a fitness centre, a student amenity area, commercial outlets on the ground floor, and one level of underground parking.
The city had decided the proposed building wasn’t compatible with the prevailing building form of the area, both in height and heritage attributes.
They stated it was too intensive for the area and that this growth could be accommodated in other parts of the city.
Sandy Hill resident Jennifer Cavanagh said she worries the building will take away from the area.
“Sandy Hill and Laurier Street are crying out for development,” Cavanagh said. “This should be done with sensitivity to the city and area’s heritage. I see it as very short-sighted, the way North America doesn’t preserve its interesting, colourful, story-rich past in favour of boring grey development.”
The location is two blocks west from the University of Ottawa (U of O), close enough to walk to campus within five minutes. However, some students say they think this is too far.
“When you live that far, you may as well live off-campus and save money,” said second-year U of O criminology student Nathan Davis.
The space is currently being occupied by mid- to high-rise apartments with residential parking behind it, as well as some commercial businesses within walking distance. Viner wanted the city to change the zoning laws from low to high to allow for an increase in height and parking spots.
There are those in favour of the development, believing it will bring in more commercial shops.
“I think it is needed to bring in shops and restaurants,” said Sandy Hill resident Dave Robern.
Land-use planning consultant Ted Fobert of FoTenn and architect Barry Hobin were among those who testified in support of Viner’s appeal.
The OMB said the city’s best argument against the building is that the property is on Ottawa’s heritage reference list and is protected by policies on heritage conservation.
But the board found that while the site is located in a low-rise neighbourhood, there are a number of higher buildings in the neighbourhood and a variety of architectural designs, making the proposed residence more compatible with the area than originally thought.
