Kanata Lakes Golf Club Redevelopment | Proposed

[rocketphish]

Builders add more parkland to Kanata Golf Course redevelopment plan

By: OBJ staff
Published: Jul 31, 2020 12:23pm EDT

The developers behind a controversial plan to convert a Kanata golf course into a residential development have submitted a revised proposal that calls for slightly more parkland and a reconfiguration of the housing units on the 71-hectare site.

ClubLink, which has owned the Kanata Golf and Country Club since 1996, filed an application with the city last fall to redevelop the land in the city’s west end.



The firm is partnering with local developers Minto Communities and Richcraft Homes on the plan that would see slightly more than half of the existing golf course property earmarked for housing, with other parts reserved for open spaces, ponds, parks and new roads.

ClubLink officials say golf revenues have been falling for nearly a decade and some of the organization’s properties need to be redeveloped in order to remain financially viable.

But opponents say the Kanata proposal violates a longstanding agreement to keep the property as green space. A virtual provincial court hearing was held earlier this month to rule on the validity of the decades-old agreement, but the court has yet to issue its decision.

The developers’ original proposal called for up to 1,502 new residential units divided among single-family homes, townhouses and apartments, along with 19.44 hectares of parks, stormwater ponds, landscaped buffers and other open space.

A revised plan submitted earlier this month boosts the overall number of housing units to 1,544 but reduces the number of front-drive and back-to-back townhouses, replacing many of them with stacked townhouses while raising the number of detached homes from 545 to 630. The overall housing footprint in the new configuration would drop slightly from 37.8 hectares to 36.9 hectares.

Meanwhile, an additional park would boost the total open space component to 20.06 hectares. The builders say the changes would add more “active amenities” and green space to the development. According to planning documents, the revised plan would “enhance the sense of community by preserving a larger number of existing natural heritage features, including large portions of the three woodlots” in the proposal.

A 1981 agreement between the former city of Kanata and the course’s then-owner stipulates that 40 per cent of the Kanata Lakes property is to be maintained as green space, including the golf course, and gives the city the right to take over the land at no cost if the owners no longer want to operate the course and cannot find another operator or buyer who wants to maintain it.

ClubLink bought the golf course in 1996. The City of Ottawa took over all legal agreements signed by all former municipalities in the former region of Ottawa-Carleton, including Kanata, when they were amalgamated in 2001.

In a statement on her website on Friday, Kanata North Coun. Jenna Sudds said she hopes the court will issue its ruling on the 1981 pact “in the next few months” and vowed to keep fighting the proposal.

“I will continue to work to ensure everything possible is done to stop this development,” Sudds said.

https://www.obj.ca/index.php/article...velopment-plan

[rocketphish]

City planners reject redevelopment vision for Kanata golf course

Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Nov 16, 2020 • Last Updated 1 hour ago • 2 minute read

City planners are rejecting the development vision for Kanata Golf and Country Club, but the decision on whether the development will happen rests with authorities outside of Ottawa City Hall.

ClubLink is working with Minto Communities and Richcraft Homes to transform the golf course into an infill subdivision with 1,544 homes. The golf company has cited a decline in business as a reason to explore its real estate options with developers.

There has been vocal opposition in Kanata to the development proposal.

On Monday, the city published recommendations from its planning department that call for council to reject ClubLink’s redevelopment plan for the golf course at 7000 Campeau Dr.

According to the report, there are nearly 20 reasons why planners can’t give the development application a passing grade. Among the reasons the planners list: the proposed lot patterns are out of scale with the surrounding community, the setbacks aren’t adequate, the tree-protection measures aren’t good enough for the infrastructure and a stormwater management plan hasn’t been determined.

Approval is “premature” for a subdivision plan and the rezoning request should be rejected, staff say in the report.

There are two separate legal battles when it comes to ClubLink’s development plans for the golf course.

One involves a Superior Court judge making a ruling on a legacy agreement to maintain the golf course. The former city of Kanata in 1981 made the deal with developer Campeau Corp. to maintain the green space. Kanata has since become part of the amalgamated City of Ottawa and ClubLink owns the golf course. The judge hasn’t yet released his decision on whether the agreement is still in force. The city thinks the agreement is still binding, but ClubLink disagrees. A hearing happened in the summer.

The other process involves ClubLink’s development plan and how it satisfies or offends planning policies. With the report published Monday, city planners have signalled that the proposed development doesn’t satisfy the policies and will ask for an endorsement from the planning committee on Nov. 26 and council on Dec. 9.

However, ClubLink already appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) for a decision on the development application last March since the city didn’t make a decision within a provincially legislated timeline. A six-week hearing is scheduled to start on Jan. 17, 2022.

Council support for the staff recommendations would effectively give the city its marching orders at LPAT to fight ClubLink’s development plan. The decision to reject or green light the proposal ultimately rests with the tribunal.

[email protected]
twitter.com/JonathanWiling

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...ta-golf-course

[Harley613]

Well that's some good news. Hopefully it fails at Tribunal as well. It doesn't have to be a golf course forever but packing houses in like sardines would be horrible there.

[rocketphish]

Councillor questions city's rationale for rejecting Kanata golf course redevelopment

Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Nov 26, 2020 • Last Updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute read

Planning committee on Thursday voted 7-1 to reject a redevelopment plan for a Kanata golf course, with the lone dissenter wondering why the proposed subdivision is considered out of character when unsuited projects are regularly endorsed in the urban area.

ClubLink wants to transform the Kanata Golf and Country Club into a 1,544-home subdivision with development partners Richcraft Homes and Minto Communities, to the vocal opposition of Kanata Lakes residents.

City planners rejected ClubLink’s proposal for several reasons, including because the lot pattern and scale would be out of character with the surrounding community.

Coun. Jeff Leiper questioned how city planners can dismiss the application for being out of character with the surrounding community when there are developments in the urban area, including in his Kitchissippi ward, that have seen out-of-character projects supported by staff.

With the city trying to manage much of its growth through intensification, “every community is going to look different,” Leiper said.

Challenging Leiper’s argument was Coun. Scott Moffatt, who pointed out that the Kanata golf course snakes through the neighbourhood, creating a unique planning circumstance.

Coun. Jenna Sudds said there’s a “plethora of outstanding issues on this file” and asked for her colleagues’ support in rejecting the development application in her Kanata North ward.

Two separate, ongoing legal cases are related to ClubLink’s development plans.

The city and ClubLink are waiting for a Superior Court judge’s decision on the validity of a legacy agreement that aims to shield the golf course from development. The 1981 agreement was signed between the former city of Kanata and the landowner at the time, Campeau Corp. The City of Ottawa assumes any deals made by pre-amalgamation municipalities.

The other legal case is at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). ClubLink has already filed an appeal because the city didn’t make a decision within a legislated timeline. An adjudicator will ultimately decide on the appropriateness of the development plan.

Council’s vote on Dec. 9 will provide the official position of the city at the LPAT hearing, which is scheduled for January 2022.

Several members of the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition, which has been the leading voice of opposition against ClubLink’s plans, told the planning committee about the importance of the green space provided by the golf course while arguing the inappropriateness of the proposed development.

Kanata technology magnate Terry Matthews told councillors, “Don’t screw it up.”

Cyril Leeder, the former president of the Ottawa Senators who lives in Kanata Lakes, said bulldozing the golf course for homes is “morally wrong.”

Marianne Wilkinson, the previous Kanata North ward councillor and a former mayor of the old city of Kanata, said ClubLink’s development plan is “the worst that I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot of them.”

Wilkinson helped negotiate the 1981 agreement with Campeau that protected the green space.

ClubLink’s officials didn’t make a presentation to the committee, but the company has cited declining golf business as its reason for pursuing redevelopment.

The company’s urban design brief filed with the development application says it’s aiming for “a community that respects the existing character of the surrounding neighbourhoods, while providing exceptionally built form and expanded green linkages to accessible open spaces.”

Committee councillors who agreed to reject the application were Moffatt, Glen Gower, Laura Dudas, Tim Tierney, Catherine Kitts, Allan Hubley and Eli El-Chantiry.

[email protected]
twitter.com/JonathanWilling

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...-redevelopment

[hwy418]

Of course if a developer wanted to built on top of a park inside the greenbelt Leiper would be up-in-arms about it. I don’t buy his intensification argument for a second.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by hwy418

Of course if a developer wanted to built on top of a park inside the greenbelt Leiper would be up-in-arms about it. I don’t buy his intensification argument for a second.

Not quite the same. Park space in the core is usually public land and very small parcels, not private holdings. The best example of greenspace being handed over to development might be the new Civic. There was opposition for the Farm land across the current facility due to historical and research reasons, but less so for the Dow's Lake site.

That said, what happens with the golf course to me should be left to the legitimacy of Campeau's 40% agreement. If it is deemed that the new owners should respect it, than the land should be preserved. If not, the private sector can do what they please. There's an ethics question of course, with those facing the course who paid a premium, and the old agreement, but I digress.

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by hwy418

Of course if a developer wanted to built on top of a park inside the greenbelt Leiper would be up-in-arms about it. I don’t buy his intensification argument for a second.

If you watch the meeting, his position seemed more nuanced than that. He was fine if the argument against the development was that it is “incompatible”. His real problem was saying it was “not in character” with the neighborhood. I think he had an excellent point. How can 35 foot single lots be “out of character” with 45 foot single lots, but a 20 storey building beside a 2 storey house in Kitchissippi is fine?

I grew up in Kanata and my mom has a “Save Kanata Greenspace” sign in front of her house. But I don’t find the idea of redeveloping the golf course fundamentally objectionable and I think it is to a certain extent inevitable (especially the large block along Campeau Dr).

I don’t think we should pave over every square inch- community greenspace is valuable. But this is not a park. This is land you’re only allowed to access if you pay thousands of dollars in annual membership fees.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by hwy418

Of course if a developer wanted to built on top of a park inside the greenbelt Leiper would be up-in-arms about it. I don’t buy his intensification argument for a second.

Crazy idea, but... how about "the character of the community!" be eliminated as a BS NIMBYist reason to oppose a project anywhere in Ottawa, or any other municipality?

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Crazy idea, but... how about "the character of the community!" be eliminated as a BS NIMBYist reason to oppose a project anywhere in Ottawa, or any other municipality?

I think that's Jeff's point. It's a meaningless term and the last people who should be using it is the Planning department.

I also noticed that none of the media articles about this note that Terry Matthew's residence happens to be located directly beside the golf course, which I'm sure is entirely unrelated to his reasons for opposing it.

[J.OT13]

Started a thread specifically for this development since it's a huge project with a significant financial impact. I believe we missed a whole bunch of legal fights since the last post in 2020.

I can excuse the initial legal fight to test the Campeau agreement, but this is getting ridiculous. Work with the developer to improve the plan, adda bit of greenspace/buffers instead of blowing millions on legal fights and buying the damn thing. This was never publicly accessible greenspace. It's a golf course for the wealthy poisoning the environment with chemicals and hectares of grass to cut with gas powered equipment.

If the City ends up buying this, it better be on the back of a Kanata North tax levy.

Councillor wants Ottawa to explore acquiring Kanata Lakes golf club

Josh Pringle, CTV Ottawa
Published: January 26, 2026 at 7:17AM EST

A Kanata councillor is asking Ottawa City Council to continue its opposition to the redevelopment of the Kanata Golf and Country Club and explore the possible acquisition of the land, as the developer digs “test pits” on the golf club in the city’s west end.

In September, the Supreme Court of Canada cleared the way for the 1,500 homes to be built on the Kanata Lakes course. The court ruled it would not hear the city’s application to appeal the Ontario Court of Appeal’s ruling that declared a 1981 agreement to keep 40 per cent of the property as green space as “inoperative.”

On Wednesday, Kanata Coun. Cathy Curry will introduce a motion calling on Council to “affirm, as a matter of policy, that residential or other urban development” on the Kanata Lakes Golf and Country Club lands referenced in the 40 per cent agreement would be “inconsistent with the planning framework” that Kanata Lakes was developed.

“It will ensure staff are reminded that the City intends to fully enforce all 192 conditions associated with this development,” Curry said in a post on her website.

“I have also reminded Minto that covenants remain in place on this property, including the requirement that “it shall not alter the grading of the Golf Lands or any of the stormwater management facilities on or serving the Golf Lands.”

The motion also recommends Council direct staff to “rigorously evaluate any application proposing residential or urban development” on Kanata Lakes “against the City’s Official Plan, applicable secondary plans, and supporting planning evidence,” ensure good planning practices are employed and continue defending Council’s decision before the Ontario Land Tribunal and any appellate courts.

Curry also recommends Council direct staff to explore “lawful, voluntary options to secure long-term protection of subject lands as open space, including acquisition, application of conservation easements.”

Curry notes the Ontario Land Tribunal recently confirmed that Council must not “fetter its discretion and that planning approvals, refusals and conditions must be supported by planning evidence, statutory authority, and the public interest.”

Testing underway

In a statement on her website, Curry said she received an email from Minto’s director of development Thursday night to say testing would take place on the golf course starting Friday morning.

“I also drove over to the golf course just in time to see a bulldozer making its way down the golf course fairways,” Curry said in the post on Friday.

Curry said she was advised by Minto that the work involved “completing snow clearing and layout work in preparation for upcoming monitoring.”

“These monitoring efforts will help inform and guide our detailed engineering work,” Minto told Curry.

According to the post on Curry’s website, the golf course contains contaminated soil and “ongoing testing is required and is something Minto is permitted to carry out.”

Ottawa’s Planning Director, Derek Moodie, told Curry that Minto has indicated they are looking to dig a number of “test pits.”

“They also indicated that they will not be removing any trees; they will not be affecting our easements; and that it will not involve large-scale earth works,” Curry said.

“If, as indicated, the works are limited to test pits, it would not affect the restrictive covenants that speak largely to alteration of drainage patterns.”

The fight over the future of the Kanata Golf and Country Club dates back to 2018, when the course’s owner, ClubLink, announced plans to build approximately 1,500 homes on the Kanata Lakes property.

ClubLink and its developers, Minto Communities and Richcraft Homes, filed an application with the city in 2019 to build homes with a minimum 25 per cent green space.

The City of Ottawa and residents have pointed to the 1981 agreement between the former City of Kanata and Campeau Corporation that states 40 per cent of the area must be kept as open space.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/articl...kes-golf-club/

[rocketphish]

Councillors support motion to fight for Kanata golf course greenspace
ClubLink is not obligated to run a golf course in perpetuity, the courts ruled, but councillors say there are other avenues to preserve the land as greenspace.

By Joanne Laucius, Ottawa Citizen
Published Jan 28, 2026 | Last updated 42 minutes ago | 5 minute read

Ottawa city council has voted overwhelming in favour of using every tool it has in its toolbox to protect the Kanata Golf and Country Club greenspace.

Kanata North Coun. Cathy Curry and Stittsville Coun. Gower presented a motion Wednesday containing a number of resolutions that were supported by 22 councillors and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

The resolutions included one to “rigorously evaluate any application” for development using the city’s Official Plan, secondary plans and supporting planning evidence to “ensure that the public interest is protected” when planning recommendations are made for the land, which has been a target for redevelopment by its owner.

The motion also directed city staff to “explore and report back on lawful, voluntary options to secure long-term protection” of the land as open space. That included acquiring it, applying conservation easements or “any other arrangements deemed to be in the city’s interests.”

For example, the city holds a number of easements that were granted at the time the land was developed as a golf course. Developers could not build on the easements without city consent, councillors heard.

Curry said the greenspace not only served as a park for the public, but it also prevented mercury from being released into the environment and prevented flooding.


“If you are thinking of not supporting this, then you are OK with developing on public parks because that’s what would happen,” Curry told fellow councillors.


<more>


https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ottaw...ta-golf-course

[J.OT13]

Curry said the greenspace not only served as a park for the public, but it also prevented mercury from being released into the environment and prevented flooding.

IT'S A PRIVATE GOLF COURSE!!! People have to PAY to enter?

And how did it prevent mercury from being released?

Golf courses are notoriously BAD for the environment. Carefully manicured grass using gas powered machinery and chemicals, not good!

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

IT'S A PRIVATE GOLF COURSE!!! People have to PAY to enter?

And how did it prevent mercury from being released?

Golf courses are notoriously BAD for the environment. Carefully manicured grass using gas powered machinery and chemicals, not good!

It is fully open to the public all winter, makes for good snowshowing, family outings and basic skiing. If the city gained control (as was expected by City of Kanata in the original agreement) it would not need to be maintained as a golf course, it would be managed as a park.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by skyscraperaccount

It is fully open to the public all winter, makes for good snowshowing, family outings and basic skiing. If the city gained control (as was expected by City of Kanata in the original agreement) it would not need to be maintained as a golf course, it would be managed as a park.

I wasn't aware. Thanks for that.

That said, it doesn't change the fact that it's a private golf course and not a public park. It's private land that the private owner allows locals to use a few months of the year.

The City should be working with the developer to come up with a reasonable solution. Maybe allow more density on Campeau in exchange for giving some of the internal land to the City to form a public park.

The court battle and fames have only served to hurt the relationship with the developers involved. The value of that land has gone up. It's been a very bad strategy since the first court case was lost.