The City of Ottawa’s planning and housing committee approved the proposed construction of a six-tower highrise complex that would create about 1,770 housing units along Coventry Road near the St. Laurent Shopping Centre and transit station.
The committee approved zoning amendments to facilitate the six-tower development at the southwest corner of Coventry and Belfast Roads, with the towers divided into two blocks by an east-west road and featuring a new public park.
The north block would feature an 1,800-square-metre public park with a 25-storey tower and a 28-storey tower. The ground floor would have commercial space facing Coventry Road. The south block would have four towers rising 21, 31, 33 and 35 storeys.
The official plan amendment would increase permitted height and density.
Permitted height allowances would increase from 20 to 30 storeys for the north block, and minimum required density would also increase, the city said in a release following the Aug. 20 committee meeting.
Permitted height allowances for the south block would increase from 30 to 35 storeys.
The zoning amendment would change the parent zoning from general mixed-use to transit-oriented development, “aligning with the aim of creating a compact and walkable community near a rapid transit station,” the city said.
“The development supports the official plan goals by allowing higher densities in areas closer to transit stations, corridors, and major neighbourhood amenities, and in an area contributing to a 15-minute neighbourhood,” according to a staff report supporting the development.
The application was submitted by Fotenn Consultants, and the site is owned by Groupe Oradev.
The site is north of Highway 417 and west of the St. Laurent Shopping Centre and is currently occupied by Enbridge Gas.
The proposed dwelling units include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom and townhouse-style units.
There will be space for 900 bicycle parking spaces and 1,090 vehicle parking spaces within three levels of underground parking, as well as within a surface parking lot.
The proposal will rise to council for a final vote on Aug. 27.
