7-December-2022, Community Information Session notes
- John Bernier went through the zoning by-law amendment & site plan control process
- Lisa Dalla Rosa from Fotenn Planning & Design. Smart Living and Forum financing the project.
- Various iterations of the proposal were discussed. As of Right massing was shown. Options included if building had demolished the current building.
- 284 unites, 20 surface parking spots, 291 bicycle spots, 2844sq' of amenities. 80% studio (229 units)
- Concerns raised about density (number & types of units). This proposal is addressing that by having studio, 1, 2, and 3 bdrm units.
- The entire evening was mostly about concerns raised about parking & traffic. Parking along oblats will be removed. All parking will be given to visitors and to drop-off only. Each unit gets a bicycle storage location. "No parking is a noble objective but not a realistic one".
- Concerns about affordability - targeting transitional renting. Utilities, furniture, equipped kitchens, internet, etc etc. all included. Help students transition from student life to work-life. Car-share will be onsite.
- Updated proposal planned to be submitted for spring 2023.
Dana Gilbert from Forum. Previously partnered on other projects in Ottawa. Project is targeting rentals such as PhD students, young professionals, recent immigrants, and younger medical professionals. Attempting to build sustainably for this building (ie. geothermal heating). All furnishings, utilities, etc will be included. Very ESG forward. Reduce wastes. Adaptive re-use is the goal. Underground parking is very costly and isn't needed when you are trying to produce a product for rental. The rental tenants have a much lower vehicular requirement than a condo owner (//what????//).
Main Points raised:
1. Fotenn still hasn't had an opportunity to review all the comments from the public as they only received them 2 weeks ago. Some have been included in the changes - others, they have to get to yet.
2. Concern: more 2-3 bedroom units
3. Concern: better bicycle continuity/sidewalks are integrated
4.
Concern: the transportation data is no longer current. City response: the data is within 5 years so is within best practices. Concern: over 1000 units since the transportation study, new school, and other shtuff. Should get new data.
5. Concern:
there should be parking available. City response: to promote car share, we need to limit parking spots. It should be seen as a benefit for the community. Comment from public: "its an experiment and I don't want this to be experimented on". So, the public is asking for more parking.
6. Owner on main street says, a lot of the design takes away park area and negatively impacting the Corners on Main building. ie. losing the statue, trees, etc. Buildings are too close.
7. Business model: Minimum 1 year lease. They do not allow subleases.
8. Someone spoke about how great as a concept this is. Dean Tester is awesome
And 2nd'ed by another. Yay
9. Concern that R4 does not allow amenities projection. Rather than increasing the building permit to allow a taller height, they are allowing the top floor amenities. "it allows defacto R5 for the rest of the street"
My observations: looked like most attendees were either close to being retired or were retired....and they couldn't understand how someone would ever want to live in a 250sq' apartment that is fully furnished and live w/o a car.