CCA encourages greater density, but worries about lack of overall planning

210 Gloucester Street, Suite 101
Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2K4

May 28, 2025

Re: Secondary plan amendments

Royce Fu
Manager, Policy Planning, City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON
K1P 1J1

Dear Mr. Fu,

We write in regard of the proposed amendments to the Central and East Downtown Core Secondary Plan.

The Centretown Community Association (CCA) believes greater density is necessary and does not object to the increases in heights per se. However, we are concerned about the lack of planning to accommodate greater density.

We are dismayed to hear of far higher densities in the core, but with no talk of increasing green spaces and the amenities that must accommodate greater density.

The City’s planners seem to work in silos. The people who talk to us about greater housing density will not speak of increases in parks, green space, schools, urban canopy, or the elements of the 15-minute neighbourhood.

Greater density must be accompanied by planning for the elements to make the city’s core liveable.

As well, we hope the new height restrictions will be enforced. At present, it is customary for developers to apply to exceed height restrictions, making a mockery of them. The height maximums should command respect; exceptions must be rare.

We want to mitigate the housing crisis and housing-affordability pain; we want new housing built. We are dismayed at the number of sites where a new building is approved and then nothing happens, sometimes for years or decades. Two prominent examples are Somerset House and 330 Gilmour Street. We encourage the City to create an environment where the approval of an application almost always results in construction within a reasonable time frame. A vacant-property tax is one possible encouragement; there are others.

Finally, we would draw your attention to Dundonald Park. Dundonald is one of Ottawa’s oldest parks, full of mature trees and gardens. It should be respected, its beauty and heritage character protected. We recommend no tall buildings encroach on the park. Specifically, we recommend the north side of the block of Somerset adjacent to the park, Lyon to Bay, be zoned for four storeys. North of that, heights should be tiered. Thus, the permitted height on Cooper between Lyon and Bay should be six storeys. This will protect the heritage character of the gem that is Dundonald Park.

Thank you for time and attention to these concerns.

Sincerely,
Rob Dekker
President,
Centretown Community Association

c.c. Ariel Troster, Councillor
Catherine McKenney, MPP
Yasir Naqvi, MP

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Letter concerning the development of 267 O’Connor

On March 18, 2025, the Centretown Community Association sent a letter to Ann O’Connor, development review planner for the City of Ottawa, expressing concern regarding the height of a proposed development at 267 O’Connor St. That letter can be read here.

Comments on the proposed redevelopment of 265 Catherine

On July 20, 2023, the Centretown Community Association provided comments to the City of Ottawa on a proposed redevelopment plan for 265 Catherine, the site of the former bus depot. The CCA urged City Council to reject the application for redevelopment. That letter can be read here.

Comments on a proposed development at 84 & 100 Gloucester

On May 15, 2023, the Centretown Community Association provided comments to the City of Ottawa on a proposed development at 84 & 100 Gloucester. The CCA took issue with many aspects of the proposal, but focused in particular on a lack of necessary consultation. That letter can be read here.