This week at Planning and Housing Committee the Lincoln Fields Secondary Plan was passed and will rise to Council on Wednesday, November 13.
First discussions about the Lincoln Fields Secondary plan began in 2019. It has been a long journey with a lot of hard work by staff, community associations, and residents engaging with various stages of this plan. Thank you to everyone who engaged through meetings, written comments, and emails to my office and to city planners.
The 25-year development plan for Lincoln Fields Station envisions a transit-oriented community with a focus on the O-Train transfer station, as well as Carling Avenue rapid transit, with active transportation options through the corridors, connecting to the existing NCC multiuse pathways. The former Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre site will feature a new north-south main street linking Richmond Road and Carling Avenue, 11 high-rise buildings, and parkland.
The policy changes include potentially reconfiguring the Kichi Zībī Mikan/Carling Avenue intersection, removing ramps to create space for new housing and improving cycling and pedestrian routes. Building heights along Edgeworth Avenue could reach up to 24 storeys near Lincoln Fields Station, tapering down towards Lawn Avenue.
One of the important discussions throughout the plan was regarding the need for useable greenspace, particularly for Woodpark. I brought forward a direction to staff to be directed to work with the National Capital Commission (NCC) to explore opportunities for active or passive recreation space on the NCC’s greenspace that is accessible to the Woodpark community after the completion of the western expansion of the O-Train, located approximately north of the future development area east of Lincoln Fields Station and west of Edgeworth Avenue. It was important the plan seriously considers the need for greenspace in the community, and while the RioCan parcel will bring with it very large park space for that community, the community of Woodpark lacks greenspace, and the NCC’s greenspace could provide an excellent space for active or passive greenspace.
Having heard concerns about Carling Avenue and how we can ensure it becomes a real mainstreet, with shops and amenities, I also brought forward a motion regarding non-residential spaces. This motion asked that Section 2.2 hub designation Policy 4) be amended to include development on Carling Avenue to also require a minimum of one non-residential use at-grade facing the street. Carling Avenue is considered a mainstreet through the Official Plan, and requiring non-residential spaces will help contribute to vibrant and human-scale spaces.
Councillor Gower moved a motion regarding podium heights for Richmond Road. It stated the following: “that policy 2.3(8) in the Lincoln Fields Secondary Plan be revised as follows: “The base of a building that fronts onto Richmond Road will generally be between two and four storeys.” I voted against this motion as I was concerned with the introduction of the word “generally”. The use of the word “generally” does not provide any certainty and leaves room for higher podium heights. The policy as written by staff required podiums be between 2 and 4 storeys, and this recommendation was based on height relative to the right of way of Richmond Road. The word “generally” opens this up for consideration of taller heights. While no individual applications have come forward at this point, I will continue to watch for podium heights to advocate for heights inline with the road right of way.
Thank you again to everyone who participated and volunteered their time to work together to help create an exciting long term plan for an important part of Bay ward that will bring with it opportunities for new businesses and thousands of units for much needed housing in the City.
