The Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa could soon be given the go-ahead to tear down the house it occupies on stately Island Park Drive and replace it with what the city councillor for the area is characterizing as "an office building."

City staff are endorsing the plan, which would see the large red brick home with attached garage replaced by an even larger structure with no living quarters, but plenty of space for meetings and official functions. The building would also have underground parking for 16 vehicles.

To make that happen, the Thai embassy is seeking an exemption from current zoning rules for the residential neighbourhood.

One iteration of the Thai embassy's proposal for a new consular building on Island Park Drive. (City of Ottawa)

Councillor objects

The Island Park Community Association objects to the plan, and has the support of the city councillor for the area, Jeff Leiper.

"What staff are recommending is, it's OK to put an office building in a residential zone for no reason that I can see other than that the Royal Thai government has asked for it," Leiper said.

The zoning request goes to the city's planning committee for approval next week.

While 180 Island Park Dr. is technically zoned for residential use, the building has been used as a consular office since it was purchased by the Thai government in 1987 — the Thai ambassador lives in Rockcliffe Park — a grandfathered arrangement that hasn't made waves with neighbours until now.

Now the embassy is seeking an exemption to allow it to replace the current structure with something other than a residence, and city staff are backing that request.

The new building would be limited to two storeys and just under 7,000 square feet.

Coun. Jeff Leiper calls the proposed structure an 'office building,' and says his council colleagues should be alarmed by the potential precedent. (Robyn Miller/CBC)

Zoning rules 'out the window'

Neighbours fear that will create a precedent not only on Island Park Drive, but also in Rockcliffe, the Glebe and other Ottawa neighbourhoods where embassies are common.

"I think it's something that would be worrisome for any neighbourhood to just have the zoning go out the window," said Cathy Shaw, co-president of the Island Park Community Association.

"If the Royal Thai government considers that it needs a modern office building for its consular functions ... then it can move to a zone that has an office permitted use," Leiper said.

Leiper said his council colleagues should be equally alarmed, urging them to "preserve the integrity of our zoning."

The staff report goes to planning committee Jan. 24.

Numerous calls to the embassy were not returned.