New subdivision developments - Page 55

J.OT13 · #**1081** Posted **Nov 3, 2023, 8:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by roger1818

Maybe but it just seems wrong to allow developers to knowingly flood other peoples homes without any recourse or compensation.

I know. People paid premiums for those homes that face the golf course. My interpretation of the Campeau agreement was that if the golf course ever went out of business, the City would inherit the site as a public park.

Alex613 · #**1082** Posted **Nov 20, 2023, 2:49 PM**

Ottawa’s Auditor General has released its report its investigation into allegations of improper involvement by City Officials relating to the planning and approval of the Conservancy residential development in Barrhaven. It finds that the allegations it was able to investigation given the boundaries of its jurisdiction had merit, and makes a number of recommendations to improve oversight. I wonder if Council will request a full audit.

https://pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.c...umentId=153546
Going to Audit Committee on Nov.27.

J.OT13 · #**1083** Posted **Nov 20, 2023, 3:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex613

Ottawa’s Auditor General has released its report its investigation into allegations of improper involvement by City Officials relating to the planning and approval of the Conservancy residential development in Barrhaven. It finds that the allegations it was able to investigation given the boundaries of its jurisdiction had merit, and makes a number of recommendations to improve oversight. I wonder if Council will request a full audit.

https://pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.c...umentId=153546
Going to Audit Committee on Nov.27.

Shocker. "we want to build in this flood zone". "ok, it's no longer a flood zone. go nuts".

rocketphish · #**1084** Posted **Nov 28, 2023, 8:44 AM**

'It was wrong': City staff accept blame on Barrhaven development
Provincial AG's office aware of file as some allegations remain unexamined

Arthur White-Crummey · CBC News
Posted: Nov 27, 2023 3:59 PM EST | Last Updated: 11 hours ago

Councillors split on Monday over whether to nudge the province's attorney general to examine what one called a "tainted" process that cleared the way for a Barrhaven housing development.

The city's own auditor general found that city staff improperly pushed the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) to further developer Caivan's Conservancy project in what was initially a flood plain along the Jock River.

Several members of the audit committee agreed, variously calling it "disturbing," "absolutely inappropriate" and "a huge governance problem."

Attention focused on a letter the city's then-director of planning, Lee Ann Snedden, wrote to the RVCA. It endorsed Caivan's application to fill in part of the flood plain with hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of soil. Her letter said that council supported the file, even though most councillors had no knowledge of that application.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...ment-1.7041358

J.OT13 · #**1085** Posted **Nov 28, 2023, 2:01 PM**

City Staff under Watson constantly lied to push things through. This is no surprise at all.

Ironic that they called it the "Conservancy" considering where it's/will be built.

Lakeofthewood · #**1086** Posted **Nov 28, 2023, 2:45 PM**

"Kavanagh proposed a motion that would have council bring Gougeon's report forward to the provincial auditor general. It failed on a tie at committee, though council will still have the opportunity to take it back up."

It's stuff like this that blows my mind about our city council. What possible reason can you have to vote against taking this further to the provincial AG? If there's a hint of lying or corruption, we should be rooting it out. And how much effort would this even take to do? Write a letter? Just continuously disappointing.

J.OT13 · #**1087** Posted **Nov 28, 2023, 3:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakeofthewood

"Kavanagh proposed a motion that would have council bring Gougeon's report forward to the provincial auditor general. It failed on a tie at committee, though council will still have the opportunity to take it back up."

It's stuff like this that blows my mind about our city council. What possible reason can you have to vote against taking this further to the provincial AG? If there's a hint of lying or corruption, we should be rooting it out. And how much effort would this even take to do? Write a letter? Just continuously disappointing.

It was the same when some Councillors wanted to look into the O-Train fiasco. Watson Club voted against. When the Province picked it up, Watson Club's response was "see, good thing we didn't do it because now we're saving money" to save face. Voted against transparency is usually a sign of protecting your rear end.

Lakeofthewood · #**1088** Posted **Nov 28, 2023, 5:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

It was the same when some Councillors wanted to look into the O-Train fiasco. Watson Club voted against. When the Province picked it up, Watson Club's response was "see, good thing we didn't do it because now we're saving money" to save face. Voted against transparency is usually a sign of protecting your rear end.

Exactly. And look at who voted against it: suburban Watson Club 2.0 members Hill, Lo, Hubley and Brown.

Ottawacurious · #**1089** Posted **Jan 8, 2024, 3:52 PM**

Really not sure where to mention this but I went to look at the model homes on the weekend for a handful of different contractors.

I went in thinking they'd be putting on their best display of their work. ie. high quality with high attention to detail, etc. And, yes, finishes were higher quality; however, I was surprised at just how many 'lack of attention to detail' things that I found when I walked through. It left me going "if they are OK to show this in a model home, what would they be willing to accept in a regular production home?"

Examples include - - interior walls that were out vertically by ~3/4 of an inch as shown by the trim, peeling wall paper, non-functioning light switches, very poorly located switches (inside a closet behind where the clothes will go), carpet that was lifting around the edges, uneven floors, trim that didn't blend well together, missing trim, very poor caulking jobs, steps that were creaking, floors that were creaking, windows that wouldn't open all the way due to the design, oddly placed windows in the bathroom, cold floors above the garage, very odd layouts in the basements that drastically reduce the usability, very poor quality vapour barrier over the insulation w/ multiple holes/missing seals, and a heck of a lot more.

Are my expectations out of whack?

FrostyMug · #**1090** Posted **Jan 8, 2024, 7:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottawacurious

Really not sure where to mention this but I went to look at the model homes on the weekend for a handful of different contractors.

I went in thinking they'd be putting on their best display of their work. ie. high quality with high attention to detail, etc. And, yes, finishes were higher quality; however, I was surprised at just how many 'lack of attention to detail' things that I found when I walked through. It left me going "if they are OK to show this in a model home, what would they be willing to accept in a regular production home?"

Examples include - - interior walls that were out vertically by ~3/4 of an inch as shown by the trim, peeling wall paper, non-functioning light switches, very poorly located switches (inside a closet behind where the clothes will go), carpet that was lifting around the edges, uneven floors, trim that didn't blend well together, missing trim, very poor caulking jobs, steps that were creaking, floors that were creaking, windows that wouldn't open all the way due to the design, oddly placed windows in the bathroom, cold floors above the garage, very odd layouts in the basements that drastically reduce the usability, very poor quality vapour barrier over the insulation w/ multiple holes/missing seals, and a heck of a lot more.

Are my expectations out of whack?

No, your expectations are not out of whack. Shoddy workmanship is sadly a common factor with many large project builders. They'd rather take a chance that you don't notice or that they can stall long enough that buyers will give up. There are a few builders who have a terrible reputation.

J.OT13 · #**1091** Posted **Jan 8, 2024, 8:44 PM**

Even the CHEO Dream Home from Minto had some serious lack of attention to detail. Looks good until you start paying attention.

The last few decades, workmanship quality has seen a significant dip compared to mid-century and prior. Material is quite bad as well (particle board instead of floor boards or plywood, vinyl siding instead of brick...) The only positive in terms of what you might call "quality" with new homes, IMO, is the insulation and energy efficiency. And of course, there are way more modern features like in-suite bathrooms, maybe better kitchen layouts, that kid of stuff.

Requin · #**1092** Posted **Jan 8, 2024, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottawacurious

Really not sure where to mention this but I went to look at the model homes on the weekend for a handful of different contractors.

I went in thinking they'd be putting on their best display of their work. ie. high quality with high attention to detail, etc. And, yes, finishes were higher quality; however, I was surprised at just how many 'lack of attention to detail' things that I found when I walked through. It left me going "if they are OK to show this in a model home, what would they be willing to accept in a regular production home?"

Examples include - - interior walls that were out vertically by ~3/4 of an inch as shown by the trim, peeling wall paper, non-functioning light switches, very poorly located switches (inside a closet behind where the clothes will go), carpet that was lifting around the edges, uneven floors, trim that didn't blend well together, missing trim, very poor caulking jobs, steps that were creaking, floors that were creaking, windows that wouldn't open all the way due to the design, oddly placed windows in the bathroom, cold floors above the garage, very odd layouts in the basements that drastically reduce the usability, very poor quality vapour barrier over the insulation w/ multiple holes/missing seals, and a heck of a lot more.

Are my expectations out of whack?

Wow, interesting observations. Though I would imagine that some of the things that you mention are related to the model selection/design moresoso than workmanship quality (i.e. switch locations, window design and location, basement layout).

J.OT13 · #**1093** Posted **Jan 8, 2024, 9:54 PM**

Some smaller builders sometimes have more pride in their work. My parents had a good experience with Corvinelli in Russell. he was very attentive to any deficiencies and modified his processes based on feedback, for example, he stopped building huge living spaces that spanned the entire house because the ceilings were problematic and he started using a vapour barrier that breaths for basements due to humidity issues (at least, that's what I think I remember).

DTcrawler · #**1094** Posted **Jan 18, 2024, 9:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrostyMug

No, your expectations are not out of whack. Shoddy workmanship is sadly a common factor with many large project builders. They'd rather take a chance that you don't notice or that they can stall long enough that buyers will give up. There are a few builders who have a terrible reputation.

The problem also lies partly with the fact that much of the experienced workforce in the trades has retired / is retiring. A friend of mine recently had some major renovations done at their place by a reputable (and not cheap) contractor. There were countless deficiencies in the work done by subs, but not for a lack of effort. In certain cases they just couldn't get basic things right no matter how many times they re-did it. At the end of the project the contractor had a chat with my friend about the lack of experienced tradespeople and the challenge it's posed to his business. Most people are learning on the fly these days. Mix that with cheapo, mass-output homebuilders and it's a recipe for disaster.

Ottawacurious · #**1095** Posted **Feb 1, 2024, 5:20 AM**

Claridge is launching "Iron Valley" at Terry Fox and Cope.
https://claridgehomes.com/community/Iron#explore

Ottawacurious · #**1096** Posted **Feb 6, 2024, 9:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottawacurious

Thanks for that! Found Brigil website for 927 March Rd as well: Nothing on it yet.
https://www.brigil.com/en/projects-i...ent/march-road

New documents submitted for 927 march.
Brigil site is updated from last time. Perhaps this one is getting closer to shovels in the ground?

J.OT13 · #**1097** Posted **Feb 6, 2024, 1:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottawacurious

New documents submitted for 927 march.
Brigil site is updated from last time. Perhaps this one is getting closer to shovels in the ground?

Since when do they build tract housing in Ottawa? In the west end?

So far, it's been towers in the central area and Orleans, along with Plateau style condos in Orleans. Don't remember them ever building a house in Ottawa.