Article content continued

“There is a path forward. You can do it. It just requires more intensification and if we do intensification better, smarter and greener, we can actually go this route and not have an urban expansion,” Johanis said.

“I think we have a fighting chance. I really do believe this time around there’s a group of councillors that are committed to acting dramatically and decisively in the face of the climate change crisis.”

On the other hand, the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association doesn’t think the city would be putting enough land into an expanded urban boundary.

“We’re disappointed with the recommendation,” executive director Jason Burggraaf said.

“All of that is predicated on a level of intensification which hasn’t been proven it’s going to be achievable. There’s no conversation what the impact to existing neighbourhoods is going to be and there’s no discussion about what’s physically going to change (and) how many units every ward, every neighbourhood is going to have to accommodate. Everything about the recommendation hinges on that.”

Burggraaf said it’s “awkward” for the city to pick an intensification target without understanding what the impacts could look like on the ground. He pointed out that communities targeted for high-rises often see residents opposing the developments.

The next official plan will cover the period between July 2018 and July 2046 when Ottawa is projected to grow by about 402,000 people, bringing the total population to 1.41 million. According to the city, that kind of growth will require about 194,800 more homes.