by Rob Dekker
The recent public meeting on the Community Design Plan (CDP), organized by members of the CCCA Planning and Development Review Committee, took place May 30. CDP consultants George Dark and Eric Turcotte, Graeme Hussey of the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, Nancy Oakley from Heritage Ottawa, Brian Bourns and the CCCA’s Judy Forrest spoke about the CDP and their perspectives on the plan. Some City staff members were in attendance, as was Somerset Ward Councillor Diane Holmes. Based on a show of hands of the 150 people present at the meeting, about two-thirds were “relatively new to the CDP” and had not attended the City-sponsored meetings held in 2010 and 2011. Clearly this meeting was of interest to many: perhaps helped by the advertising done by the CCCA and articles in the April and May issues of The Centretown BUZZ.
Brian Bourns started the evening with a historical viewpoint, explaining the original Centretown Plan from the 1970s. This was followed by a detailed presentation from George Dark on the proposed CDP. Judy Forrest presented the CCCA’s three main concerns (after stating what was supported in the CDP):
1. Drastic increase in height of buildings;
2. Too much emphasis on mixed use zoning; and
3. Secondary Main Street category inappropriate for Somerset between Elgin and O’Connor.
Two presentations from Graeme Hussey of the CCOC and Nancy Oakley from Heritage Ottawa were followed by a very respectful public forum.
As planned, over half the meeting was devoted to the public forum. The questions and comments from the audience reflected a variety of concerns on issues including increased heights and density, the need for more green space and affordable housing, to the conversion of the west lawn of the Canadian Museum of Nature to parking.
There were many comments, ranging from the absence of policies for families with children in the CDP, to the number of buildings recently either approved or proposed that do not respect either the existing Centretown Plan or the CDP. Many expressed concern over the role of the Ontario Municipal Board regarding the CDP and whether the CDP would be respected by Planning Committee and City Council after it was approved.
The questions asked were well-thought-out and comments were expressed respectfully and calmly. Clearly, those attending the meeting had a good understanding of the CDP.
As at the OttawaDNA meeting held on May 24, the residents understand that living downtown means there will be development. The concern is that developers should not simply have their way with Centretown but should plan and build respecting the current culture, heritage and planning guides.
The idea is that, if there is going to be development, it has to be done right. The Tribeca building (bordered by Lisgar/Metcalfe and Nepean) and a proposed 18-storey building at 68 Cooper were held up as examples of buildings that have negative neighbourhood effects.
With the Tribeca building, there are infrastructural issues affecting neighbouring buildings that are being investigated.
The building at 68 Cooper was challenged as being far too big for the lot, which currently contains a single family dwelling, as there are virtually no plans for set back or greenspace. Drawings provided by the builder were challenged by a resident of Ann Manor, 71 Somerset St. W., as the drawings showed that building’s greenspace as belonging to 68 Cooper.
Little or no visitor parking planned for 68 Cooper was brought up as a concern as it will have an effect on the neighbouring streets.
Along with concerns of height and volume of buildings being considered for Centretown, residents are concerned about the affordability of living downtown, not only for the middle-class who wish to have a family lifestyle, but also for lower-income households. Traffic and accessibility issues were also brought forward in the meeting.
Clearly, there was a concern in the community that developers will not abide by the CDP. The crowd challenged the political will of City Council to abide by the CDP and listen to the concerns of the residents whether the councillors represent voters outside the downtown and urban centres or not.
City staff indicated that current plans are to raise the CDP at Planning Committee in the fall, followed by a full vote at City Council. Comments are being accepted by the City through the summer. The CCCA will also be providing feedback, based on the comments at the meeting and comments received afterwards.
More information about the CDP can be found at midcentretown.wordpress.com and www.ottawa.ca/midcentretown
Via Twitter, you can read about the two meetings by searching the hashtags #Ottdna and #CCCAcdp for the Twitter conversations that took place at the May 24 OttawaDNA meeting and the CCCA’s meeting on the CDP.
