Ed McKenna
Affordable Housing? Ask the CCOC
The Dalhousie Community Association’s next regular meeting on October 6 at 7 p.m. will feature a presentation by Ray Sullivan, executive director of the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC).
Ray will walk us through the sometimes confusing landscape defined by the term “affordable housing.” (Contact president@ottawadalhousie.ca for Zoom details if you’d like to join us.). Affordable housing is regularly identified as one of the greatest needs in the Dalhousie area and almost every large-scale new development promises more of it.
Fortunately, Ottawa Community Housing, the largest “social housing” provider in Ottawa, has two major projects in our area: Rochester Heights Redevelopment and Gladstone Village. The DCA’s “Plan Our Neighbourhood” Committee has commented extensively on both projects and will continue to participate in consultation opportunities as they arise.
At its regular September meeting, the DCA learned that a public meeting to discuss plans for 933 Gladstone (Gladstone Village) will be scheduled for early October.
The East Flats
Fencing has gone up around the small block bounded by Lett, Fleet, Lloyd and the former Ottawa (now Lett) Streets, as Claridge Homes prepares to break ground for the first new residential construction project on LeBreton Flats in more than five years.
East Flats consists of five tower blocks. However, this month, over the objections of the DCA, the developer successfully sought another zoning bylaw amendment to allow it to build first on Lett Street (instead of Booth), where it will construct the first two towers: one 25 storeys and the second a 30-storey structure.
Claridge Homes also successfully argued that it was not practical to provide the full extent of the floor area for “mixed use” required under the zoning. Hoped-for amenities for this area, including a grocery store, won’t be included in the development.
But the city held firm on the requirement for a child care facility for 50 children and will receive $2 million from the developer toward the cost of a new park south of Lett Street. Of course, there will be a number of “affordable” units included in the development, but the 25 percent affordable housing originally planned for this part of LeBreton Flats remains a dream.
A Demo on Rochester?
Residents have noted activity at the long-neglected site at Rochester and Balsam, where several buildings are boarded up and fenced off from the street. The site in its present condition may only be described as an eyesore and one that’s persisted for more than a year. We’re hoping to see plans for redevelopment soon.
Recreation Facilities in Dalhousie – Where Are They?
The DCA’s Public Realm Committee, which is concerned with greenspaces, play spaces, public art, benches, trees, gardens and more, will pursue a much-needed inventory of neighbourhood recreation spaces.
These spaces include parks, pools, gyms, meeting rooms and community gardens that are available to the public. The committee is also watching developments at Primrose Park, where the city plans to replace the fencing this fall.
To get involved in the work of this committee, or any of the DCA’s committees, contact us. We’re always ready to welcome new members!
The printed copy of The BUZZ included an editing error affecting paragraph 3 of this story. Ottawa Community Housing, not the CCOC, is the largest “social housing” provider in Ottawa.