Planning and Housing Committee

Minutes

Meeting #:

20

Date:

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Time:

9:30 A.m. - 11:30 A.m.

Location:

Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, and by electronic participation

Present:

• Chair: Councillor Jeff Leiper, 
• Vice-chair: Councillor Glen Gower, 
• Councillor Riley Brockington, 
• Councillor Cathy Curry, 
• Councillor Laine Johnson, 
• Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, 
• Councillor Clarke Kelly, 
• Councillor Catherine Kitts, 
• Councillor Wilson Lo, 
• Councillor Tim Tierney, 
• and Councillor Ariel Troster 

Absent:

• Councillor Laura Dudas 

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1.

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; in camera meeting procedures; information items not subject to discussion; personal information disclaimer for correspondents and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

Except where otherwise indicated, reports requiring Council consideration will be presented to Council on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 in Planning and Housing Committee Report 20.

The deadline to register by phone to speak, or submit written comments or visual presentations is 4 pm on Tuesday, January 16, and the deadline to register by email to speak is 8:30 am on Wednesday, January 17.

This is a public meeting to consider the proposed Comprehensive Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments listed as Item(s) 5.1-5.5 on today’s Agenda.

For the item just mentioned, only those who make oral submissions today or written submissions before the amendments are adopted may appeal the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal. In addition, the applicant may appeal the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal if Council does not adopt an amendment within 90 days of receipt of the application for a Zoning By-law Amendment and 120 days for an Official Plan Amendment.

To submit written comments on these amendments, prior to their consideration by City Council on Janaury 24, 2024, please email or call the Committee or Council Coordinator.

2.

Declarations of Interest

2.1

Zoning By-law Amendment – 29 Russell Avenue

2.2

Application to alter 29 Russell Avenue, a property designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, located in the Russell Avenue-Range Road Heritage Conservation District

3.

Confirmation of Minutes

3.1

PHC Minutes 19 – Wednesday, November 29, 2023

• Carried

3.2

Joint FCSC-PHC Minutes - Thursday, November 2 and Friday November 3, 2023

• Carried

4.

Postponements and Deferrals

4.1

Motion - Memorandum of Understanding with Katasa Group

Deferred from the November 29, 2023 Planning and Housing Committee meeting.

Councillor Troster (On behalf of Councillor Menard)

Tim Marc, Senior Legal Counsel-Planning, Development & Real Estate was present and responded to questions from Committee.

Councillors M. Carr and S. Menard were present and participated in the discussion.

Following discussions, the Committee carried the motion as presented with the following Direction to Staff:

Direction to staff (Councillor A. Troster)

To prepare a Memo to Council outlining potential guidelines for Councillors to negotiate additional voluntary contributions with particular attention to the new Legislation..

• WHEREAS residents see value in affordable housing and traffic calming; and,

  WHEREAS these are two issues that are commonly subjects of discussion during development application consultations; and,

  WHEREAS discussions between Katasa Group and Councillor Menard’s office have concluded in the former voluntarily agreeing to contribute funds toward traffic calming and affordable housing in Ward 17; and,

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Planning and Housing recommend that City Council authorize the City of Ottawa to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Katasa Group for the purposes of realizing the following two voluntary contributions:

  1. $100,000 for the Ward 17 traffic calming budget; and,
  2. $200,000 for affordable housing in Ward 17. The use of these funds is under the discretion of the General Manager of Community and Social Services (in consultation with the Ward Councillor)
  Carried

5.

Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department

5.1

Zoning By-law Amendment – 1592 Tenth Line Road

ACS2024-PRE-PS-0033 - Orléans East-Cumberland (1)

Michael Boughton, Planner III, Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department (PRED), provided an overview of the report and answered questions from the Committee. A copy of the slide presentation is filed with the Office of the City Clerk. 

The Applicant/Owner as represented by Paul Robinson, Robinson Consulting, provided an overview of the Application and responded to questions from Committee.  A copy of the slide presentation is filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

The Committee heard from the following delegations:

• Connor Brownrigg expressed appreciation with the respect and communication the property owner has had with the community and the concessions that have been made as a result of community input.  Although, the length of construction and enforcement of parking restrictions remain a concern.

The following written submissions were received by, and are filed with, the Office of the City Clerk, and distributed to Committee Members:

• Email dated January 11, 2024 from Ian Chambers
• Email dated January 12, 2024 from Debra Russell

Following discussion and questions of staff, the Committee carried the report recommendations as presented.

• Report recommendation(s)

  1. That Planning and Housing Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 1592 Tenth Line Road, as shown in Document 1, to permit the development of two, low-rise apartment dwellings, as detailed in Document 2.
  2. That Planning and Housing Committee approve the Consultation Details Section of this report be included as part of the ‘brief explanation’ in the Summary of Written and Oral Public Submissions, to be prepared by the Office of the City Clerk and submitted to Council in the report titled, “Summary of Oral and Written Public Submissions for Items Subject to the Planning Act ‘Explanation Requirements’ at the City Council Meeting of 24 January 2024,” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.
  Carried

5.2

Zoning By-law Amendment – Part of 2666 Tenth Line Road

ACS2024-PRE-PS-0018 - Orléans South-Navan (19)

The Applicant/Owner as represented by Daniel Paquette, Paquette Planning was present in support, and available to answer questions.  The Applicant advised that they did not need to address the Committee if the item carried.

The Committee Carried the report recommendations as presented.

• Report recommendation(s)

  1. That Planning and Housing Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for part of 2666 Tenth Line Road, as shown in Document 1, to permit the development of an elementary school, as detailed in Document 2.
  2. That Planning and Housing Committee approve the Consultation Details Section of this report be included as part of the ‘brief explanation’ in the Summary of Written and Oral Public Submissions, to be prepared by the Office of the City Clerk and submitted to Council in the report titled, “Summary of Oral and Written Public Submissions for Items Subject to the Planning Act ‘Explanation Requirements’ at the City Council Meeting of 24 January 2024,” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.
  Carried

5.3

Zoning By-Law Amendment – 225 Cope Drive and 166 Shelleright Street

ACS2024-PRE-PSX-0001 - Kanata South (23)

Kieran Watson, Planner, Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development and Tim Marc, Senior Legal Counsel-Planning, Development & Real Estate were present and responded to questions from Committee.

The Applicant/Owner as represented by Vincent Denomme, Claridge Homes was present in support, and available to answer questions.  

The Committee Carried the report recommendations as presented with Councillor T. Kavanagh dissenting.

• Report recommendation(s)

  1. That Planning and Housing Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 225 Cope Drive, as shown in Document 1, to permit a rear yard setback of six metres for detached dwellings, as detailed in Document 2.
  2. That Planning and Housing Committee approve the Consultation Details Section of this report be included as part of the ‘brief explanation’ in the Summary of Written and Oral Public Submissions, to be prepared by the Office of the City Clerk and submitted to Council in the report titled, “Summary of Oral and Written Public Submissions for Items Subject to the Planning Act ‘Explanation Requirements’ at the City Council Meeting of January 24, 2024,” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.
     

  Carried with Councillor T. Kavanagh dissenting 

  Carried

5.4

Zoning By-Law Amendment - 3750 North Bowesville Road 

ACS2024-PRE-PS-0001 - River (16)

Tracey Scaramozzino, Planner II, Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department (PRED), provided an overview of the report and answered questions from the Committee. A copy of the slide presentation is filed with the Office of the City Clerk. 

The Applicant/Owner as represented by Brian Casagrande, Fotenn, provided an overview of the Application and responded to questions from Committee.  A copy of the slide presentation is filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

The following staff were also present and responded to questions: 

PRED:

• Lili Xu, Manager, Development Review - South
• Mike Giampa, Senior Engineer Infrastructure Applications

The Committee heard from the following delegations:

1. Andrei Grushman, Member, Hunt Club Community Association expressed concerns with the number of parking spaces and urged the committee to mitigate the impact of parking or allow standard parking minimums. 
2. Patrick Morton, Secretary, Hunt Club Community Association stated concerns related to parking and highlighted the lack of public transportation and difficulties of active transportation in the area as well.  Slide presentation is held on file with the Office of the City Clerk.
3. Peter Brimacombe, Past President, Hunt Club Community Association spoke to residents of Chatsworth Crescent who also expressed concerns with the parking requirement.
4. John D Reid expressed support for the proposal although noted reservations related to lack of adequate amenities in the area leaving residents to rely on personal transportation and suggested the minimum parking standard be allowed, not less.
5. Audrey Bélanger Baur indicated support for the proposal to increase density in the neighbourhood, however, does not believe that additional parking is necessary.  Instead, the City should focus on promoting active transportation, adding additional bus lines and protected cycling infrastructure.
6. Joanne Leveille spoke to the issue of health as it relates to cars and noise pollution and noted active transportation should be improved in the area and reduce the need for cars, as parking is a concern.

The following written submissions were received by, and are filed with, the Office of the City Clerk, and distributed to Committee Members:

• Email dated January 10, 2024 from Craig Steenburgh
• Email dated January 10, 2024 from Judith Foulger
• Email dated January 10, 2024 from Joanne Leveille
• Email dated January 12, 2024 from Ian Stacey
• Email dated January 15, 2024 from David Duck
• Email dated January 15, 2024 from Bob Brûlé

Following discussion and questions of staff, the Committee carried the report recommendations as presented with Councillor R. Brockington dissenting.

• Report recommendation(s)

  1. That Planning and Housing Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 3750 North Bowesville Road as shown in Document 1, from GM F(1.0) H(44) zone to GM [XXXX]  SYYY zone, as detailed in Document 3, to allow two 14-storey towers in a residential building.
  2. That Planning and Housing Committee approve the Consultation Details Section of this report be included as part of the ‘brief explanation’ in the Summary of Written and Oral Public Submissions, to be prepared by the Office of the City Clerk and submitted to Council in the report titled, “Summary of Oral and Written Public Submissions for Items Subject to the Planning Act ‘Explanation Requirements’ at the City Council Meeting of January 24, 2024,” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.

  Carried with Councillor R. Brockington dissenting 

  Carried

5.5

Zoning By-law Amendment – 29 Russell Avenue

ACS2024-PRE-PS-0034 - Rideau-Vanier (12)

• L. Johnson declared a conflict on this item.

The Committee considered items 5.5 and 5.6 concurrently.

The following written submissions were received by, and are filed with, the Office of the City Clerk, and distributed to Committee Members:

• Email dated January 12, 2024 from Martin Laplante
• Email dated January 12, 2024 from Philip Ling
• Email dated January 15, 2024 from John Swettenham
• Email dated January 16, 2024 from John Verbaas

The Applicant/Owner as represented by Haris Khan, Fotenn was present in support, and available to answer questions.  The Applicant advised that they did not need to address the Committee if the item carried.

The Committee Carried the report recommendations as presented.

• Report recommendation(s)

  1. That Planning and Housing Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 29 Russell Avenue, as shown in Document 1, and detailed in Document 2, to permit a three-storey residential addition to the rear of the existing heritage building.
  2. That Planning and Housing Committee approve the Consultation Details Section of this report be included as part of the ‘brief explanation’ in the Summary of Written and Oral Public Submissions, to be prepared by the Office of the City Clerk and submitted to Council in the report titled, “Summary of Oral and Written Public Submissions for Items Subject to the Planning Act ‘Explanation Requirements’ at the City Council Meeting of January 24, 2024,” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.
  Carried

5.6

Application to alter 29 Russell Avenue, a property designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, located in the Russell Avenue-Range Road Heritage Conservation District

ACS2024-PRE-RHU-0018 - Rideau-Vanier (12)

This report will be submitted to the Built Heritage Committee on January 16, 2024. The statutory 90-day timeline for consideration of this application under the Ontario Heritage Act will expire on February 29, 2024.

• L. Johnson declared a conflict on this item.

The Committee carried the report recommendations as amended by Motion No. PHC 2024-20-01.

• Report recommendation(s)

  That the Built Heritage Committee and the Planning and Housing Committee recommend that Council:

  1. Approve the application to 29 Russell Avenue according to plans prepared by Woodman Architect & Associates, dated July 26, 2023 and the landscape plan prepared by James Lennox dated August 2, 2023 conditional upon:
     1. The applicant providing samples of all final exterior materials for approval by Heritage Staff prior to the issuance of the building permit; 
  2. Delegate the authority for minor design changes to the General Manager, Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development;
  3. Approve the issuance of the heritage permit with a two-year expiry date from the date of issuance unless otherwise extended by Council.
  Carried as amended
• Amendment:
  Motion No. PHC 2024-20-01
  Moved by G. Gower

  WHEREAS report recommendation 1 erroneously states that the plans prepared by Woodman Architect & Associates is dated as 26 July 2023, in both the english and french report recommendations; and

  WHEREAS the plans, referenced as Supporting Document 6 – Elevations, were dated 28 July 2023;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that report recommendation 1, in both english and french, be amended to state that the plans prepared by Woodman Architect & Associates is dated as 28 July 2023/28 juillet 2023.

  Carried

5.7

Vacant Industrial and Business Park Land Survey, 2020 to Mid-2022 Update

ACS2023-PRE-EDP-0035 - Citywide 

The Committee considered items 5.7 and 5.8 concurrently.

Eva Walrond, Planner II, Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department (PRED), provided an overview of the report and answered questions from the Committee. Royce Fu, Manager, Policy Planning, PRED, was also present and responded to questions.  A copy of the slide presentation is filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

Following discussion and questions of staff, the Committee received the report recommendations as amended by Motion No. PHC 2024-20-04.

• Report recommendation(s)

  That the Planning and Housing Committee receive this report for information.

  Carried as amended
• Amendment:
  Motion No. PHC 2024-20-04
  Moved by G. Gower

  WHEREAS Document 1 lists the inventory of vacant industrial and business park lands; and

  WHEREAS the appendix in Document 1 is missing number labels for map #9, 24, 27, 28, 102, 107, 109 and 112; and

  WHEREAS Table 2b incorrectly shows that Vacant Net Rural Industrial & Logistics Land in South Gloucester is 40.8 net hectares and Vacant Net Rural Industrial & Logistics Land is 397.1 net hectares; and

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Document 1 be amended to include number labels for Map # 9, 24, 27, 28, 102, 107, 109 and 112; and

  THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Table 2b in Document 1 (appendix) be amended to Vacant Net Rural Industrial & Logistics Land in South Gloucester is 36.7 net hectares and Vacant Net Rural Industrial & Logistics Land is 393.1 net hectares.

  Carried

5.8

Greenfield Residential Land Survey Mid-2022 Update

ACS2024-PRE-EDP-0002 - Citywide 

• Report recommendation(s)

  That Planning and Housing Committee receive this report for information.

  Received

6.

In Camera Items

There were no in camera items.

7.

Information Previously Distributed

7.1

Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland

ACS2024-FCS-FSP-0001

8.

Motions of Which Notice has been Previously Given

8.1

Motion – Vice Chair G. Gower - By-law No. 2008-250 to change the zoning of lands known municipally as 1835 Stittsville Main Street

• WHEREAS Report ACS2023-PRE-PS-0020 proposed a zoning by-law amendment to permit development of a property located at 1835 Stittsville Main Street; and

  WHEREAS on March 8, 2023, Motion No. 2023 - 10/03 was carried, which removed the item from the agenda and directed City staff to list the by-law on a future Council agenda for enactment only after being advised that issues related to recovery of construction costs for urban services to 1835 Stittsville Main Street were resolved by the owners of 1835 Stittsville Main Street and the Area 6 lands; and

  WHERAS the owners of 1835 Stittsville Main Street no longer intend to use of the services installed by the Area 6 landowners; and

  WHEREAS there is no legal impediment to passing the proposed zoning by-law amendment;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that by-law “l”, “A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2008-250 to change the zoning of lands known municipally as 1835 Stittsville Main Street” be placed back on the agenda of the next Council meeting; and

  THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there be no further notice pursuant to Section 34(17) of the Planning Act.
• Motion No. PHC 2024-20-02
  Moved by G. Gower

  Be it Resolved that this Motion be deferred to the January 31, 2024 Planning and Housing Committee meeting.

  Carried

9.

Inquiries

9.1

Brockington (on behalf of Councillor Hill)

In May 2023 Council chose to defer High-Performance Development Standards until more information had been obtained from the provincial government on their plans to update the Building Code with new green standards. 

Since that motion, Ontario has been working with the federal government to harmonize the National and Ontario Building Codes to create a consistent construction standard across the country. As the federal government is advocating higher green standards in construction regulations this merger of the two codes could have a positive impact on Ottawa’s climate goals. 

Understanding the nature of this merger of the Ontario and National Building Codes will help guide Council’s decision making as we consider our own jurisdictional oversight of energy efficiency standards and other regulatory green initiatives. 

1. To the best of staff’s knowledge what is the status of the harmonization of the national and provincial building codes and when can we expect the first changes to the Ontario Building Code as a result of this harmonization effort?
2. Does Building Code Services expect that this merger will increase or decrease the standards for energy efficiency and other green building practices in Ottawa?

10.

Other Business

10.1

Waiver of Demolition Control – 185 Montreal Road

• Motion No. PHC 2024-20-03
  Moved by G. Gower

  That the Rules of Procedure be suspended to consider the following Motion, in order that the property owner may address these issues as soon as possible, 

  WHEREAS the building on the parcel of land known as 185 Montreal Road is vacant and there have been a string of recent break-ins and drug use on the property; and 

  WHEREAS given the poor condition of the building and the risk to public safety, it would be in the public interest to demolish the building; and 

  WHEREAS there is currently no building permit application for a replacement building.

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council approve demolition control for the existing buildings on the property subject to the following conditions: 

  1. That the property Owner pay PRED $5,339.42 (includes $1,028.00 Legal Fee + HST) which is the fee associated with a demolition control application. 
  2. That until the time of the construction of the first replacement building, the registered Owner shall landscape the property to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development. The registered Owner shall prohibit the use of the property for other interim uses and maintain the property in accordance with the Property Standards By-law; 
  3. The landscaping shall include permanent, transparent fencing prohibiting access to the property, as well as soft landscaping along the entire frontage to a depth of 4 metres, which may include grass, and low shrubs. The remainder of the property may be granular or wildflower seed mix;
  4. The Owner shall pay fifty percent securities to the City for the value of landscaping the property, with the securities to be released once these works are completed; 
  5. The registered Owner shall enter into an Agreement with the City of Ottawa to include the foregoing conditions and pay all costs associated with the registration of said Agreement. At such time as a building permit is issued to redevelop the site and the replacement building is in place, the Agreement will become null and void and will be released upon request of the Owner. The Owner shall pay all costs associated with the release of the agreement;
  6. The registered Owner agrees that a demolition permit will not be issued and the buildings cannot be demolished until such time that the Agreement referenced herein has been executed and registered on title;
  7. This approval is considered null and void if the Agreement is not executed within six months of Council’s approval.
  Carried

11.

Adjournment

Next Meeting

Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

The meeting adjourned at 12:28 pm.