Article content continued

While much of the focus of the document is on shaping urban areas, staff say the plan is also an opportunity to define the identity of Ottawa’s rural communities.

“It’s time for us to have this conversation in Ottawa: maybe it’s time for us to designate buffers around our villages so that Carp and Stittsville don’t grow together, so that Manotick and Barrhaven don’t grow together,” said Stephen Willis, general manager of planning. “What is the condition of those villages? Do they still exist as separate identities? The decision we make now could actually affect that.”

There was some hubbub over a phrase in the document that ponders a scenario where the city’s urban reach would expand into the Greenbelt. But city policy planning manager Alain Miguelez said that this was only included in the report for the sake of including all possible options, not as an actual recommendation.

About a hundred members of city staff wrote the big moves document after processing previous public comments and analyzing “the effectiveness of the current policies,” as stated in staff’s report to council.

Planning Committee approves new developments

The planning committee also met on its own to approve several new developments across the city.

One of these developments, at 1950 Scott St., was approved, but not without the dissent of Kitchissippi Ward Coun. Jeff Leiper, the neighbourhood’s representative.

“We could do a lot better,” Leiper said of the 21-storey building. Besides saying that a purely residential building doesn’t contribute to the pedestrian character of the street, he said the planned tower has too much parking. “It is right across from Westboro transit station. We should not be approving buildings right across from some of our busy LRT stations that encourage everyone to come with a car.” The building has 169 parking stalls for 141 units.

ALSO IN THE NEWS:

Defence lawyer suspended for overbilling legal aid

Gatineau officer agrees to peace bond after alleged ‘disturbing’ comments to municipal employees

Man jailed eight years for his role in the death of his grow-op partner