Update from City Council this week
The major item on this week’s council agenda was the approval of the budget direction for 2024 with a 2.5% cap on tax increases. As we are aware there will be a deficit in the transit operating budget of $40 million plus increased costs of carrying out municipal functions due to inflation. We also hope to see a new, likely larger proposed budget on snow removal in the coming year. My concern is that there is every possibility of seeing cuts to services and programs as we sort through what is essential and what can be discontinued. Budget consultations are being organized and my office will keep the community informed of the dates and times for these.
I appreciated the city’s commitment to spend over $110 million on new affordable housing and the purchase of a larger property at 1245 Kilborn Drive to be potentially used for supportive housing. Ottawa City Council declared a Housing and Homelessness emergency in 2020. We need to make every effort to move forward in building more affordable housing. There is a housing shortage in all forms of housing however purpose-built affordable housing is the highest need as low-income earners & many middle-income earners struggle to find a place to live that they can afford without sacrificing groceries and other essentials. I am particularly happy to see the new Ottawa Community Housing projects on the list that will bring affordable housing in a mixed-use development form. This is a great start but much more is needed.
The development application for the former Villa Lucia property at 3430 Carling Avenue was approved by City Council for two 6-storey buildings that will have 186 units. My office held community meetings on this project, and because of community feedback, the original proposal in 2021 for two 9-storey buildings was reduced to two 6-storey buildings. My office will continue to keep the community informed on construction information as this file moves forward.
Bay Ward file coming to Planning and Housing Committee next week
2475 Regina Street will be coming to committee with an application for an Official Plan Amendment and Rezoning to permit seven-, 16- and 28-storey residential buildings. This application includes the plan for Parkway House, a non-profit residential care home for adults with physical disabilities to continue to operate on the ground floor of the seven-storey residential building. In total, the build would see a total of 510 residential units.
City Staff supports the application and is recommending committee approve this plan. However, their recommendation also comes with holding symbol, which would be removed after they are completed, or partially completed, in conjunction with phased development.
The hold includes:
- Exploration of options for enhanced active transportation connections to rapid transit, which may include lighting and winter maintenance of the National Capital Commission (NCC) pathway within the Kichi Zībī Mīkan between the Byron Linear Pathway and Lincoln Fields LRT Station.
- Site Plan Control Approval and/or Plan of Subdivision addressing:
a. Upgrades to the Lincoln Heights sanitary pumping station;
b. Watermain looping;
c. Public access through the site from Regina Street to the Kichi Zībī Mīkan; and
d. Connection to the NCC pathway within the KichiZībī Mīkan.
Intensification is very important, and is happening across the city, and we must be considering all applications for building more homes. While doing this we must ensure we are creating communities that are supported by proper infrastructure, particularly active transportation, including proper sidewalk facilities, cycling facilities, and traffic calming. I have expressed, and continue to express, my concerns regarding the connectivity of this application with the new LRT Station. A proper connection to the station is crucial to this neighbourhood, as is ensuring Regina Street has proper traffic calming and sidewalks.
We know the province will not tolerate committee and council turning down large developments, as we are in a housing crisis. If committee and council refuse this application, the applicant will appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal. With the mandate from the province for us to build 150,000 new homes, any appeal made will more than likely overturn the vote by council. But we can advocate to ensure projects that are built integrate well with our services and our streets. I continue to a stress the importance of this on this application, and any other applications in the ward and across the city. We must build housing, and we must build communities that can thrive and support residents.
