General Update/Rumour thread [Urban Ottawa]

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

979 Richmond Road was purchased by Dilawri Property Holdings Ltd. from Tops Car Wash Co Ltd. for $7,775,000 or $915 per square foot of building area. It is improved with a single-storey car wash.

http://www.juteaujohnsoncomba.com/newsletters/2021/November-2021-Newsletter-September-Sales.pdf

Nice. Could be the start of a complete transformation of the car oriented businesses near New Orchard Station.

[SL123]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Nice. Could be the start of a complete transformation of the car oriented businesses near New Orchard Station.

Well Dilawri Property Holdings Ltd. is mainly a car dealership company so dont get your hopes up.ù

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by SL123

Well Dilawri Property Holdings Ltd. is mainly a car dealership company so dont get your hopes up.ù

Darn. It didn't notice it was Dilawri who bought the property.

They own the Honda dealership next door.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Darn. It didn't notice it was Dilawri who bought the property.

They own the Honda dealership next door.

One could hope that they are hoping to move their pre-owned dealership, down the road at 1075 Richmond, closer to their new dealership next door (and thus sell 1075 Richmond for redevelopment), but more likely they just want more space. All these car dealership on prime TOD land seem such a waste.

Interestingly, looking at geoOttawa, all these properties along this section of Richmond (including the dealerships) are zoned Traditional Mainstreet (TM), which doesn't seem to permit "automobile dealerships." Those seem to need to be zoned Arterial Mainstreet (AM) or General Mixed Use (GM). It could be listed under the exemptions though.

[SL123]

"Boost density and limit public consultation to build 1.5 million homes in a decade, Ontario government told
Social Sharing"

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-housing-affordability-task-force-report-1.6342470

Some of the report's key recommendations:

-Increase density in neighbourhoods zoned exclusively for single-family homes.
-Repeal municipal policies that focus on preserving a neighbourhood's character.
-Set uniform provincial standards for urban design, including building shadows and setbacks.
-Limit the time spent consulting the public on housing developments.
-Legislate timelines for development approvals, and if the municipality misses the deadline, the project gets an automatic green light.

The task force takes particular aim at "not in my backyard" opposition to development.

"NIMBYism is a large and constant obstacle to providing housing everywhere," the report says. "We cannot allow opposition and politicization of individual housing projects to prevent us from meeting the needs of all Ontarians."

Planning has become politicized "because local councillors depend on the votes of residents who want to keep the status quo," the report says. It notes that pushback from existing residents keeps new residents out of neighbourhoods, delays development approvals and increases housing costs.

[Proof Sheet]

Originally Posted by SL123

Some of the report's key recommendations:

-Increase density in neighbourhoods zoned exclusively for single-family homes.
-Repeal municipal policies that focus on preserving a neighbourhood's character.

These will go down well in the Glebe, Westboro etc.

[SL123]

Originally Posted by Proof Sheet

These will go down well in the Glebe, Westboro etc.

but at the same time and if i remember correctly from another article a few weeks ago. it wouldnt automatically allow a 20 storeys tower in a place like the Glebe. i think you could just no longer refuse a 4 storeys multi-unit project in a single family house neighbourhood.

[Williamoforange]

Originally Posted by SL123

but at the same time and if i remember correctly from another article a few weeks ago. it wouldnt automatically allow a 20 storeys tower in a place like the Glebe. i think you could just no longer refuse a 4 storeys multi-unit project in a single family house neighbourhood.

Well if that (link below) was to get implemented, I'm sure the Glebe and it's councillor will throw a there standard childish tantrum.

https://twitter.com/jacoobaloo/status/1491042529000656896?s=20&t=pnM-wdHPli2Sqli40uwN3w

[SL123]

Originally Posted by Williamoforange

Well if that (link below) was to get implemented, I'm sure the Glebe and it's councillor will throw a there standard childish tantrum.

https://twitter.com/jacoobaloo/status/1491042529000656896?s=20&t=pnM-wdHPli2Sqli40uwN3w

Well that would only impact Bank Street and O'Connor really. Also the Whole "Neighbourhood Character" is discrimination in Disguise period. It scream keep those people that cant afford a 4millions$ house away from me.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Williamoforange

Well if that (link below) was to get implemented, I'm sure the Glebe and it's councillor will throw a there standard childish tantrum.

https://twitter.com/jacoobaloo/status/1491042529000656896?s=20&t=pnM-wdHPli2Sqli40uwN3w

The Glebe is already full of apartments and the average structure is 3-4 storeys high as it is. I think that allowing 4-storey apartments will face much bigger opposition in suburban neighbourhoods that are exclusively 1 and 2 storey SFHs.

[Williamoforange]

Originally Posted by phil235

The Glebe is already full of apartments and the average structure is 3-4 storeys high as it is. I think that allowing 4-storey apartments will face much bigger opposition in suburban neighbourhoods that are exclusively 1 and 2 storey SFHs.

The glebe is nowhere near "full" of 3-4 story apartments, but I get it must defend your community rep from that rightfully earned Nimby moniker. Rightfully earned from fighting the very "growth through density" they so fiercely fight for at the full city level.

As for the suburbs, they'll raise a stink but there likely won't be many built in them as far less demand to live in them and the suburban fight aren't usually backed by those with the means (like the glebe) to fight

[passwordisnt123]

Originally Posted by SL123

"Boost density and limit public consultation to build 1.5 million homes in a decade, Ontario government told
Social Sharing"

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-housing-affordability-task-force-report-1.6342470

Some of the report's key recommendations:

-Increase density in neighbourhoods zoned exclusively for single-family homes.
-Repeal municipal policies that focus on preserving a neighbourhood's character.
-Set uniform provincial standards for urban design, including building shadows and setbacks.
-Limit the time spent consulting the public on housing developments.
-Legislate timelines for development approvals, and if the municipality misses the deadline, the project gets an automatic green light.

The task force takes particular aim at "not in my backyard" opposition to development.

"NIMBYism is a large and constant obstacle to providing housing everywhere," the report says. "We cannot allow opposition and politicization of individual housing projects to prevent us from meeting the needs of all Ontarians."

Planning has become politicized "because local councillors depend on the votes of residents who want to keep the status quo," the report says. It notes that pushback from existing residents keeps new residents out of neighbourhoods, delays development approvals and increases housing costs.

I never thought I'd see the day but this is a genuinely good policy from the Doug Ford government. Count me on board with everything here.

[OttawaSteve]

Originally Posted by Williamoforange

The glebe is nowhere near "full" of 3-4 story apartments, but I get it must defend your community rep from that rightfully earned Nimby moniker.

There are a surprising number of apartments in the Glebe. Make a note of the number of doorbells and/or mailboxes on each 'house' next time you're wandering around.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Williamoforange

The glebe is nowhere near "full" of 3-4 story apartments, but I get it must defend your community rep from that rightfully earned Nimby moniker. Rightfully earned from fighting the very "growth through density" they so fiercely fight for at the full city level.

As for the suburbs, they'll raise a stink but there likely won't be many built in them as far less demand to live in them and the suburban fight aren't usually backed by those with the means (like the glebe) to fight

I would respectfully suggest that stereotyping isn't overly helpful in these discussions (and I think that's what you meant when you wrote "moniker"). To respond to your comment, the Glebe is made up of 47% renters, most of whom live in apartments. I would challenge you to find a suburban Ottawa neighbourhood that comes close to that figure. 3 or 4 storey apartment buildings are found on essentially every street in the Glebe. I said that the Glebe is full of small apartments because I think it is a fair comment, based in fact.

Your last comment really hits at the crux of the issue. Suburbs aren't stereotyped as NIMBY by people such as yourself because they aren't subject to anywhere near the development pressures that neighbourhoods like Westboro, the Glebe and Sandy Hill are. But don't kid yourself, people in suburban neighbourhoods aren't intrinsically less NIMBY than the people in more urban neighbourhoods. I'd say quite the opposite, but I recognize that is my personal opinion and not objective fact. However, you start building 3-4 storey apartment buildings next to single family homes in Kanata and I guarantee you that you will face every bit as much of a backlash from neighbours as you do in the Glebe. What is "rightfully earned" very much depends on your personal perspective.

[GeoNerd]

The first collection of the 2021 census data was released. Ottawa-Gatineau now has a population of 1,488,307. Ottawa regained title of 4th largest metropolitan area, surpassing both Calgary and Edmonton in population.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by GeoNerd

The first collection of the 2021 census data was released. Ottawa-Gatineau now has a population of 1,488,307. Ottawa regained title of 4th largest metropolitan area, surpassing both Calgary and Edmonton in population.

+117K in Ottawa-Gatineau in 5 years. Nice.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by OttawaSteve

There are a surprising number of apartments in the Glebe. Make a note of the number of doorbells and/or mailboxes on each 'house' next time you're wandering around.

174 Glebe Ave is a four storey condo built just a few years ago. Looks like three stories from the street, as neighbourhood pressure put the design through the wringer. Very nice, very expensive and the Glebe has taken it in stride ...

[skylerottawa]

Originally Posted by phil235

I would respectfully suggest that stereotyping isn't overly helpful in these discussions (and I think that's what you meant when you wrote "moniker"). To respond to your comment, the Glebe is made up of 47% renters, most of whom live in apartments. I would challenge you to find a suburban Ottawa neighbourhood that comes close to that figure. 3 or 4 storey apartment buildings are found on essentially every street in the Glebe. I said that the Glebe is full of small apartments because I think it is a fair comment, based in fact.

Your last comment really hits at the crux of the issue. Suburbs aren't stereotyped as NIMBY by people such as yourself because they aren't subject to anywhere near the development pressures that neighbourhoods like Westboro, the Glebe and Sandy Hill are. But don't kid yourself, people in suburban neighbourhoods aren't intrinsically less NIMBY than the people in more urban neighbourhoods. I'd say quite the opposite, but I recognize that is my personal opinion and not objective fact. However, you start building 3-4 storey apartment buildings next to single family homes in Kanata and I guarantee you that you will face every bit as much of a backlash from neighbours as you do in the Glebe. What is "rightfully earned" very much depends on your personal perspective.

Well said, just take a look a Fifth and Bank. Still think it's a great thing to be infilling these neighbourhoods. Hopefully this will become more prevalent all over the city. I don't see any other real solutions to the affordability crisis. Hopefully it would reel in sprawl as well

[nredding]

I’m not sure that the new rental buildings in the Glebe help solve the affordability crisis. For example, 99 Fifth at Bank is advertising a 480 sq ft apartment for $1839 a month on Kijjiji.

Seems a lot to me for a tiny apartment.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-apartments-condo...th-bank-for-rent-99-fifth-ave/1576302532

[phil235]

Originally Posted by skylerottawa

Well said, just take a look a Fifth and Bank. Still think it's a great thing to be infilling these neighbourhoods. Hopefully this will become more prevalent all over the city. I don't see any other real solutions to the affordability crisis. Hopefully it would reel in sprawl as well

Agreed, perfect example of a nicely integrated building, if the price point is a little high in that particular case. While new apartments are never going to be at the affordable end of the scale unless they are part of housing program, buildings like that one do increase supply significantly and at least in theory free up cheaper apartments at a lower cost.

I also think that one benefit of the proposed changes is that the legal fees component of housing cost could be greatly reduced. As it stands, rightly or wrongly, community associations and neighbours can tie up projects for years in appeals and cost the developer hundreds of thousands of dollars that are embedded in the cost of the units. If 4-storey apartments are permitted as of right and no legal costs are incurred to fight appeals, they should be able to make them cheaper.