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I was at Ottawa planning committee about two weeks ago as yet another clash of visions between community groups and a developer unfolded – this time, on the redevelopment of Lincoln Fields mall. It was the first time I’d been there since my days covering City Hall almost two decades ago. And except for committee chair Jan Harder, I didn’t automatically recognize the other members. New times, new faces. But as debate proceeded, it felt like the more things change, the more they remain the same.

The issue in question was a request by mall owner Riocan for site plan approval of the first phase of the redevelopment of the failing shopping centre, which is only 600 metres from a future LRT 2 station that would become the hub of public transit in the west end.

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There really shouldn’t have been any controversy over this redevelopment. This is not a case of residents up in arms against densification in their neighbourhood. Six communities around Lincoln Fields accept that the 6.5-hectare site is the place for a high-rise, high-density, mixed-use transit-oriented development. When it is all done, a new community of about 3,000 residents would spring up within walking distance of LRT.