Planning and Housing Committee

Minutes

Meeting #:

14

Date:

Wednesday, September 06, 2023

Time:

9:30 A.m. - 3:30 P.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 Laura Dudas, 
• Councillor Laine Johnson, 
• Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, 
• Councillor Clarke Kelly, 
• Councillor Catherine Kitts, 
• Councillor Wilson Lo, 
• Councillor Tim Tierney, 
• and Councillor Ariel Troster 

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1.

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 September 13, 2023 in Planning and Housing Committee Report 14.

The deadline to register by phone to speak, or submit written comments or visual presentations is 4 pm on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and the deadline to register by email to speak is 8:30 am on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

These “Summary Minutes” indicate the disposition of items and actions taken at the meeting. This document does not include all of the text that will be included in the full Minutes, such as the record of written and oral submissions. Recorded votes and dissents contained in the Summary Minutes are draft until the full Minutes of the meeting are confirmed by the Committee. The draft of the full Minutes (for confirmation) will be published with the agenda for the next regular Committee meeting and, once confirmed, will replace this document.

The Chair read the following statement at the outset of the meeting pursuant to the Planning Act:

This is a public meeting to consider the proposed Comprehensive Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments listed as Item(s) 5.1-5.4 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 September 13, 2023, please email or call the Committee or Council Coordinator.

2.

Declarations of Interest

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

3.

Confirmation of Minutes

3.1

PHC Minutes 13 – Wednesday, August 16, 2023

• Carried

4.

Postponements and Deferrals

4.1

Omnibus Official Plan Amendment 1

ACS2023-PRE-EDP-0043 - City Wide

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Planning and Housing Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council: 

  1. Approve and adopt Official Plan Amendment 5, a series of technical amendments to the Official Plan as presented in Documents 1 and 2; and  
  2. Approve the updates to the Tree Protection By-law 2020-340, to extend protections to privately-owned trees on all lands located east of Watters Road that were approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in the Future Neighbourhood overlay.
  Carried as amended
• Amendment:
  Motion No. PHC 2023 - 14/02
  Moved by G. Gower

  WHEREAS at the Planning and Housing Committee meeting of February 27, 2023, City Planning staff were directed to prepare a series of ‘omnibus’ reports relating to different amendment categories; and

  WHEREAS since the February 27, 2023 Planning and Housing Committee meeting, staff have identified amendments, attached as Document 1 – Citywide and Urban Amendments.

  WHEREAS an error was found in proposed amendment 16.

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, with respect to report ACS2023-PIE-EDP-0043, Planning and Housing Committee approve the amendments to Documents 1 as set out in Annex 1 attached to this motion (held on file with the City Clerk).

  Carried

5.

Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department

5.1

Zoning By-law Amendment – 3430 Carling Avenue

ACS2023-PRE-PS-0104 - Bay (7)

• Report Recommendation(s)

  1. That Planning and Housing Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 3430 Carling Avenue, as shown in Document 1, to permit two six-storey residential buildings, 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 September 13, 2023” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.
  Carried

5.2

Zoning By-law Amendment – 314 Bell Street South

ACS2023-PRE-PS-0095 - Capital (17)

• Report Recommendation(s)

  1. That Planning and Housing Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 314 Bell Street South, as shown in Document 1, to permit a three-storey four-unit addition to an existing three storey four-unit apartment building, 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 13 September 2023” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.
  Carried as amended
• Amendment:
  Motion No. PHC 2023 - 14/03
  Moved by G. Gower

  WHEREAS report ACS2023-PRE-PS-0095 seeks approval to permit a three-storey four-unit addition to an existing three-storey four-unit apartment building, and
  WHEREAS a technical amendment is required to correct one error in Document 2 of the report. 

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, with respect to report ACS2023-PRE-PS-0095 Planning and Housing Committee, amend Document 2 by:

  Substituting section 2(b)(iii) “Despite Section 65, Table 65, a porch may project 0.1 metres from a side lot line” with “Despite Section 65, Table 65, a porch and stairs may project 0.1 metres from a side lot line.”

  AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that pursuant to subsection 34(17) of the Planning Act, no further notice be given.

  Carried

5.3

Zoning By-law Amendment - 729 Ridgewood Avenue

ACS2023-PRE-PS-0090 - River (16)

• Report Recommendation(s)

  1. That Planning and Housing Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 729 Ridgewood Avenue, as shown in Document 1, from General Mixed Use, Subzone 1, Floor Space Index 1.0 (GM1 F(1.0)) to General Mixed Use, Urban Exception XXXX, Schedule Sxxx (GM[XXXX] Sxxx) to permit a low- to high-rise mixed-use development including 444 residential units, 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 September 13, 2023,” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.
  Carried as amended
• Amendment:
  Motion No. PHC 2023 - 14/02
  Moved by R. Brockington

  WHEREAS the Ward Councillor’s comments were inadvertently omitted from the report on this item;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the “Comments by the Ward Councillor” section of the report be replaced with the following text:

  I am aware of the zoning bylaw amendment application by Brigil Developments, for 729-735 Ridgewood Avenue, locally referred to as the Riverside Mall.

  The Riverside Mall has a long history in the Riverside Park / Mooney’s Bay neighbourhood.  It has historically been the commercial hub of the community and up to approximately five years ago, the location of the only grocery store in the community.  I can not comment on the redevelopment of this site, without acknowledging the former owner and operator of the grocery store, Francois Bouchard, who also co-owned the mall.  His community based approach to running his business and engagement in various activities was very much appreciated.  His grocery store’s closing was a sad day in our community.

  The mall’s slow decline has been noted.  A number of retailers remain and the community supports and wants to see a true 15 minute neighbourhood.  The development proposal before Committee promotes a mixed-use development, residential and retail and we certainly want to see well supported retailers retained, if possible and afford the opportunity to welcome new retailers to meet the needs of the community.
  Brigil has engaged the community for a number of years.  I hosted my first meeting on their proposal in the parking lot of the mall, with two dozen community leaders, in the summer of 2020.  From that point forward, the community has immersed itself in this file, providing constructive comments and suggestions for improvement and Brigil, to their credit, has listened.  Multiple changes to building locations, heights, unit numbers, entry point, space for retail and other requests have been actioned by Brigil.  

  The Riverside Park Community Association and two abutting condo corporations have been heavily engaged, as well as others in the community.  Former Alderman for the area, George Brown (Council 1985-1994), has acted as a liaison with Brigil and his efforts have been appreciated.

  I am supportive of this application and will continue to work with the community, Brigil and the City to refine the site plan, as well as the construction mitigation plan and move this development forward.

  Carried

5.4

Zoning By-Law Amendment – 1200 Maritime Way

ACS2023-PRE-PS-0106 - Kanata North (4)

• Report Recommendation(s)

  1. That Planning and Housing Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 1200 Maritime Way, as shown in Document 1, to permit the development of 28 and 30 storey high rise buildings, 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 September 13, 2023,” subject to submissions received between the publication of this report and the time of Council’s decision.
  Carried

5.5

Directions Report - Aligning Zoning By-law 2008-250 with Bill 23

ACS2023-PRE-EDP-0038 - City Wide

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Planning and Housing Committee recommend that Council direct staff to return to Council in Q4 2023 with proposed amendments to the Zoning By-law with respect to the following:

  1. Bring into conformity the current Zoning By-law with the provisions of Bill 23 as outlined in the report; 
  2. Approve Option 2 concerning regulating principal and additional units permitted under Bill 23 by removing existing floor area and entranceway restrictions from Section 133; and
  3. Approve Option 5 to address parking and landscaping in rear yards such that no more than 70 per cent of the rear yard area may be occupied by parking spaces, including any driveways and/or aisles providing access to parking spaces, plus a requirement to provide 15 per cent of the rear yard as soft landscaped area.
  Carried

6.

Community and Social Services Department

6.1

2023-2026 Affordable Housing Capital Strategy and Update

ACS2023-CSS-GEN-011 - City Wide

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That Planning and Housing Committee recommend Council approve:

  1. The allocation of $66,629,914 by the Director of Housing Services to support affordable housing projects through conditional capital contributions between the City and each housing provider as detailed below, with the funds comprised of $16,000,000 in City capital approved by Council in the 2023 City Budget, $18,553,914 federal Rapid Housing Initiative (round 3) funding, $5,926,000 in 2023-2024 Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative funding, $24,150,000 in 2023-2024 provincial Priority Projects for Municipalities funds, and $2,000,000 previously intended for a Request for Proposals for private sector developers,
     1. Up to $24,150,000 from the provincial Priority Projects for Municipalities be allocated to Ottawa Community Housing Corporation for 715 Mikinak Road, and that $9,150,000 of City capital funding that had been allocated to the project in prior years be reallocated to support the Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy as described in Recommendation 1(h);
     2. Up to $2,128,000 be allocated to Nepean Housing Corporation for the completion of the affordable housing project at 1 Dunbar Court;
     3. Up to $18,553,914 of Rapid Housing Initiative (Round 3) funds be allocated to Ottawa Salus Corporation for the construction of 54 supportive housing units at 56 Capilano Drive;
     4. Up to $7,045,073 be allocated to a contingency budget to support projects currently under development that require additional funding as described in Document 1;
     5. Up to $600,000 from the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) be allocated towards the continuation of the Ontario Renovates program;
     6. Up to $606,075 to permit an eight-month extension of the short-term interest-free repayable loan provided to the African Caribbean Association of Ottawa through the 2021 Capital Plan for their project at 881-883 Pinecrest Road;
     7. Up to $1,500,000 to permit up to a three-year extension of the short -term interest free repayable loan provided to Holland Properties through the 2019 Capital Plan for 161 Presland Road,
     8. Up to $21,196,852, of which $9,150,000 is from the reallocation of the Mikinak project and the 2023-2024 Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) funding, be allocated to a strategic acquisition and
        renovation related to the Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy; and
     9. That any remaining or additional funding that becomes available in 2023 be allocated as contingency to projects currently underway and requiring additional funding for completion, or to priority projects included in Document 2.
  2. The Term of Council spending plan in the amount of $50,717,800, which is made up of $45,000,000 City capital ($15M annually from 2024 to 2026) subject to annual City budget approval and $5,717,800 Ontario Priorities Housing Initiatives (2024-2025), be allocated by the Director, Housing Services to support the following priority affordable housing projects as follows,
     1. Up to $32,420,946 be allocated equitably over 3 years to Ottawa Community Housing Corporation for Rochester Heights Phase 2 (818 Gladstone Ave), to leverage projected CMHC Co-investment Forgivable Loan funding and Repayable Loan financing towards the 273 –unit project, notwithstanding that the proposed weighted average rents will be approximately 95% of Average Market Rent (AMR) instead of the usual 80% as otherwise required under Action Ottawa and provincial capital funding programs.
     2. Up to $15,000,000 be allocated equitably over 3 years to Multifaith Housing Initiative for LeBreton Flats, to leverage CMHC Co-investment funding of $15,733,540 towards the 133-unit affordable rental project;
     3. Up to $600,000 from the OPHI 2024-2025 be allocated towards the Ontario Renovates program;
     4. Up to $2,696,852 from the OPHI 2024-2025 be allocated to Ottawa Salus Corporation to fully fund the construction of 54 supportive housing units at 56 Capilano Drive as further described in Recommendation 1(c); and
     5. That any remaining or additional funding that becomes available for the period 2024-2026, excluding Housing Accelerator Funding, be allocated to priority projects listed in Document 2.
  Carried

7.

Motions of Which Notice has been Previously Given

7.1

Motion – Requirements to mitigate against increased Wind Uplift Loads on Roofs

ACS2023-OCC-CCS-0105 - City Wide 

• WHEREAS two EF1 Tornados touched down in Barrhaven on July 13th impacting over 125 homes, and a third EF0 tornado touched down in Findlay Creek on August 3 impacting 12 homes; and

  WHEREAS the August 3rd Tornado represents the 7th extreme wind event in Ottawa since 2018, including the EF3 Tornado that devasted Dunrobin and the 2022 Derecho that damaged wide swaths of the city; and 

  WHEREAS Extreme wind events do the greatest structural damage to roofs, causing thousands of dollars in damage and leaving residents without a primary home for months and in some cases years; and

  WHEREAS stronger fastenings where the frame of a house meets the roof, known as hurricane straps or tornado clips, are a cheap and effective solution to secure roofs during extreme wind events; and

  WHEREAS the Provincial government is currently considering amendments to the 2012 Building Code;  

  THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor on behalf of Council write a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing conveying the City of Ottawa’s support for the province’s proposed Green Building Code to include requirements to mitigate against increased Wind Uplift Loads on Roofs in order to better create more wind resilient communities.

  Carried

8.

In Camera Items

There were no in camera items.

9.

Information Previously Distributed

9.1

Ward 15 Section 37 Funds – Ottawa Community Land Trust Property Acquisition

ACS2023-CSS-GEN-016

10.

Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

There were no Notices of Motion.

11.

Inquiries

There were no Inquiries.

12.

Other Business

There was no other business.

13.

Adjournment

Next Meeting

Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

The meeting adjourned at 12:50 pm.