Here are some highlights of what is on the table for discussion:
Affordable Housing
Housing Services will outline their capital spending plan for 2021, including $4.7 million from the Province’s Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative and the $15 million committed through the City’s 2021 budget. Of that City amount, nearly $6 million has already been set aside to support longer-term housing solutions, but staff propose another $5 million to redevelop 2040 Arrowsmith Drive in Beacon Hill with both housing and a new space for the Gloucester Food Cupboard. The remaining $4 million would be set aside to support additional projects through the federal government’s Rapid Housing Initiative projects.
Staff are also committing $750,000 for a Black-led family housing pilot, encouraging a housing provider to acquire existing housing stock, complete any needed repairs and offer up to five units at an affordable rent to black-led families. The pilot would help establish a strategy to target specific populations in need of affordable housing.
The proposed capital funding strategy would help create about 377 additional, permanent affordable housing units – bringing the total number under development across Ottawa to 1,730 units. And later this year, staff will return with another update about plans for more than $22 million that the federal government has committed through round two of the Rapid Housing Initiative.
Heron Gate
Affordable housing will be a major aspect of another report to be considered: an Official Plan amendment for the redevelopment of lands in the Heron Gate area. The amendment would increase permitted height to 25 storeys, establish a new City park, and establish guiding principles on considerations like land use, public realm, transportation, sustainability and community benefits through a Site-Specific Policy – but it’s also tied to an agreement about affordability.
Over the next 20-25 years, the applicant has proposed a plan that would see the 21-hectare site west of the shopping centre redeveloped with nearly 6,500 units, including more than 5,100 new units. Under the agreement with the City, the applicant would provide 1,020 units of affordable housing in the mix – half in new buildings and half refurbished in existing apartment buildings. Existing tenants would have the option to relocate to newly constructed or newly renovated equivalent units at their current rent levels.
Clyde and Baseline
Committee will also consider a zoning amendment for two mixed-use towers of 18 and 28 storeys northwest of Baseline Road and Clyde Avenue. Staff will present why they consider the plan to add 416 units with increased height and density appropriate for this location.
Residents are welcome to register to speak to any of these items by contacting the committee coordinator Melody Duffenais at melody.duffenais@ottawa.ca
