Ottawa – On September 24th, the City’s Planning Committee approved a new zoning strategy to better balance front-yard features with soft landscaping and tree planting. This landscape-first approach would help maintain the streetscape character in older communities as the City continues to encourage more higher-density dwellings in established neighbourhoods.
The biggest challenge when introducing more units or larger homes to an established neighbourhood has been balancing the community’s desire to retain trees and landscaped yards against the demand for driveways, walkways and projections on narrower lots. The new strategy would require setting aside a fixed percentage of the front yard and corner side yard for landscaping before the City would permit a driveway, walkway or other projection.
The changes would impact 12 wards: Bay, College, Knoxdale-Merivale, Gloucester-Southgate, Beacon Hill-Cyrville, Rideau-Vanier, Rideau-Rockcliffe, Somerset, Kitchissippi, River, Capital and Alta Vista.
Recommendations from the Planning Committee meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, October 14.
