[J.OT13]

I was unable to find a thread for this one. Strange that they approved the Brookstreet Apartment and Nokia redevelopment, also in Kanata North, but not this one.

Cue the comments calling Leiper a hypocrite.

Planning committee rejects two development proposals in Kanata North, Rockcliffe Park

Taylor Blewett, Postmedia
Aug 26, 2022

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It was a much closer vote on the second project that got the committee’s official thumbs down on Thursday, and it was largely questions of planning where concerns centred, with no heritage considerations at play.

By a slim majority, the committee voted against the rezoning needed for Brigil Construction to build a 258-unit, four-storey apartment development in Kanata North on a site that’s currently zoned for business park/industrial use.

In this case, it was a break from staff’s recommendation, who felt the proposal for 100 Steacie Dr. represented good planning and appropriate intensification.

It wasn’t an opinion shared by residents who addressed the committee – a cohort that included former Kanata North councillor Marianne Wilkinson. They raised concerns about transit and traffic challenges, impacts on the surrounding community and access to area amenities. One speaker, Andrew Carran, predicted it would become a “stranded development that would be crying out for the city to do things to improve it.”

Area councillor Cathy Curry urged her colleagues to reject the rezoning ask. “We have approved so many units in Kanata North, and we don’t argue against them for no reason.”

While other councillors shared her concerns about the development proceeding ahead of infrastructure such as pathways and transit improvements that would support it, the vote was ultimately 6-5 against the rezoning, with councillors Jean Cloutier, Laura Dudas, Allan Hubley, Catherine Kitts, Tim Tierney and Curry in the majority.

“I don’t want to say no to housing,” said Kitchissippi Ward Coun. Jeff Leiper, one of the “yes” votes. While he noted his concern about the development’s potential contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, “if you have a car, you’ll be able to live here and it’s quite a nice neighbourhood.”

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All the files are scheduled to reach council on Wednesday.

https://ottawasun.com/news/local-new...a-651ca8c96374