Planning committee rejects Kanata townhouse proposal
Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: August 21, 2014, Last Updated: August 21, 2014 3:23 PM EDT
The planning committee has ignored staff advice and voted to reject a townhouse development proposed for Kanata South.
City planners supported the Tega Homes plan to build 18 back-to-back units in two buildings and five additional street townhouses at 19 and 23 Bachman Terrace. The original application requested one large block with 20 back-to-back townhouses, as well as the five street townhouses.
The developer was seeking a zoning bylaw change, as well as rear and side yard setback exceptions.
Planners said the proposal met the requirements of the city’s official plan, but that didn’t satisfy some neighbours and councillors.
They were worried about increased density on the site, insufficient parking for residents and visitors, and concerns over snow storage and garbage.
A petition against the proposal was signed by nearly 100 people, while 14 of the 17 responses received during the city’s consultation period were opposed to the development.
“It just doesn’t make sense to do this to a street,” said Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley, who voted against the staff recommendation.
Only planning committee chair Peter Hume supported the staff recommendation, and said the matter was bound to end up before the Ontario Municipal Board.
If it does, the city will have to hire an outside planner who agrees with and can rationalize the committee’s decision based on planning principles, Hume said, adding evidence that will go before the board — including the staff favourable opinion, won’t help the city’s case.
“If I were a betting man, I would be going to the board before modifying my proposal,” Hume said.
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-...house-proposal
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