Trinity residential project in Westboro, including 'cottage' gas station, secures planning committee approval
Taylor Blewett
Publishing date:Jun 09, 2022
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-new...5TN0K5HNKBZ5aEqTC3vkI#Echobox=1654860341
A nine-storey mixed-use residential project at the corner of Richmond Road and Island Park Drive secured planning committee endorsement Thursday, though residents who live along the parkway had unresolved objections to the design of the proposed addition to their neighbourhood.
A major point of contention was the building’s proposed setbacks from Island Park Drive, which its east side will face, and from the residential property to its south.
“When you go down that street and look at that view, it’s going to be building, it’s not going to be this beautiful, wide boulevard,” said the Island Park Community Association’s Paul Forster, who said he’s experienced neighbours in tears over the issue. “I mean they really believe in the street … they’re gobsmacked.”
Kitchissippi ward’s Jeff Leiper, the area councillor, recalled how he and community members suggested early on that owner Trinity Group consider purchasing 376 Island Park Dr., located immediately to the south of the original project property at 70 Richmond Rd. The idea, he said, was to provide more breathing room, a better transition to the residential properties located southward and preservation of the view down Island Park Drive.
“And instead, they came back with additional property and maxed that out,” he said, though he did acknowledge that the original design “was significantly more monolithic.”
Speaking for the applicant, Fotenn design’s Paul Black contended that through the property acquisition, they were in fact able to accomplish a significantly improved transition, and that “the building provides significant enough separation that the views of Island Park Drive will not be ruined, as perhaps has been mentioned, but that the building will represent an urban intensification of the corridor.”
City staff supported the application, concluding in their report to committee that the proposed development “incorporates appropriate built form transition, enhances the public realm and preserves a heritage resource, while providing a mixed-use development.”
Far less controversial, following initial concerns and subsequent changes, was the applicant’s handling of a heritage cottage-style service station on the property that will be relocated and incorporated into the new building. All planning committee members voted in favour of the heritage element of the application, while Leiper was the sole dissenter on the endorsement of the requested zoning and official plan amendments.
The development is planned to include 85 residential units, ground-floor retail and a two-level parking garage underground.
The application is scheduled to rise to council on June 22.
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