Ottawa’s Planning and Housing Committee voted 8 to 2 to approve high-rise towers for 1081 Carling Avenue Aug. 16. CHNA, residents, community groups and city councillor Sean Devine made presentations opposing the proposal. Kitchissippi councillor Jeff Leiper voted to approve. Councillor Brockington introduced motions to defer the decision or lower the height. Both were defeated.
“I’m very disappointed in our City,” says CHNA President Karen Wright. “It is unwilling to decide against a controversial proposal, despite policy-based objections.” CHNA will ask City Council to pause the decision to consider effects on the Experimental Farm.
Next steps:
CHNA now plans to reach out to City Council, which must approve the decision. We are also seeking an opportunity for CHNA and the public to comment on the revised Cultural Heritage Impact Statement the applicant is preparing ahead of that decision. CHNA will ask the Council to pause a final decision to allow a full assessment of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s concerns about the serious negative effects on the Central Experimental Farm, a National Historic Site they are mandated to conserve. Associations and community groups must work together to protect the farm from effects of development around the farm’s perimeter.
CHNA thanks councillors Brockington and Kelly, who voted against the 1081 Carling proposal, and councillor Devine, who spoke passionately about the issues.
Thanks to CHNA’s 1081 Carling Subcommittee, lawyer Kristi Ross, residents, other community associations as well as Greenspace Alliance and Heritage Ottawa, for responding to the City with concerns about this development and for speaking out to protect the Central Experimental Farm.
Ottawa development: Proposed Carling Ave. towers approved by committee | CTV News
Ottawa development: Proposed Carling Ave. towers approved by committee | CTV News
Ottawa planning committee OK's towers across from Experimental Farm | Ottawa Citizen
Committee approves controversial towers near experimental farm despite shading concerns | CBC News
La Ferme expérimentale d’Ottawa, menacée par le développement immobilier? (ledroit.com)