Morrison at Baseline redevelopment

updated on December 1, 2009

Morrison Development Update:
Regional properties group applied for a rezoning of the Morrison and Baseline property to the North East of the intersection currently occupied by low income housing.  The developer's final proposal was to build a twelve, an eight, a six storey and two 4 and 3 storey condominiums.  The QGPCA and concerned local residents from the surrounding areas opposed this application.  We defeated the zoning modification at planning department, but lost at a Council vote.
 
Consolation with the Association members at the AGM indicated much reluctance to go to the Ontario Municipal Board with an appeal due to the low probability of a win and the risk of the developer putting forward his original proposal for a 20 storey building.  It was fed back to the steering committee that the QGPCA would not be participating in an OMB appeal.  
 
It appears to be a wise course of action as the Manotick residential development, opposed by the City and the Manotick Community association failed it its court appeal of the OMB decision in support of the developer.

updated on September 17, 2009

Here are the presentations the community group provided to the Planning and Environment Committee (a sub-committee of full City Council) on Tuesday, September 8.

 

·         Pedestrian Traffic Safety Concerns

·         Community images

·         Height and Density

·         Sewer issues

·         Traffic Congestion Concerns 1

·         Traffic Congestion Concerns 2

·         Shade impact and compatibility

·         The character of a community

·         Assessment of the Environmental Impact

·         Summary

 

updated on September 2, 2009

Last October, the City received an application for a Zoning By-law Amendment for the property located at the north east corner of Baseline Road and Morrison Drive. The application was to rezone the property to allow medium and high-rise apartment buildings. The owner proposed to demolish the existing townhouse buildings and construct a multi-storey housing complex composed of two 4-storey apartment buildings, two 3-storey stacked unit buildings, two 14-storey apartment buildings and one 20-storey apartment building. The total number of units to be developed is 537 (453 more units than currently exist).

 

After public consultation and consultation with City Planning staff, the developer submitted a new proposal that includes 12-, 8-, and 6-storey buildings for a total 334 units.

 

The site currently includes seven townhouse buildings with 12 units each.

 

For more information about the latest developments, see Councillor Chiarelli's note at:

http://www.qualicum.org/rickchiarellinote.pdf

 

The Qualicum-Graham Park Community Association Executive continues to oppose the rezoning proposal. The property was rezoned by the City in early in 2008 to allow redevelopment of up to 11 metres (3-storey buildings). Neither residents nor the property owner opposed this change.

 

A few months later, the property owner submitted the zoning amendment proposal.

 

This proposal impacts traffic, shade, pollution, and overall quality of life. The other community associations representing residents around this property also oppose the zoning amendment.

You can see the proposal and supporting documentation at:

http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__6B2RM4

 

Next steps:

The zoning amendment application will go before the Planning and Environment Committee (a sub-committee of full City Council) on Tuesday, September 8 (9.30 a.m.).

You are invited to attend to show support for the community steering committee presentations and/or to speak at the public delegations section of the hearing. It takes place at:

Ottawa City Hall

110 Laurier Ave West

Andrew Haydon Hall

 

If you would like to speak or present to the Planning and Environment committee, contact rob.tremblay@ottawa.ca or phone 3-1-1 and ask to speak to Rob Tremblay.

 

Here's a note from Councillor Chiarelli's office:

I have spoken with city staff and they have assured me that you can sign up the day of the meeting. I have suggested that there may be quite a few residents who will be signing up; this will not be a problem. It has been advised that you come for 9:00 AM the sign up sheets will be located in front of Andrew Hayden Hall, and can be submitted to Rob Tremblay or Jody Collins. My office (Amanda Greene) will be there at 9:00 AM to help sign everyone up who hasn't emailed or called Rob in advance.  As per the presentations, staff has advised that you bring it on a memory stick and the technical staff will be able to bring it up on the screen. PowerPoint is best. 

 

The rezoning is the 3 Item on the agenda. This could come up very quickly or it could be a couple of hours depending on how quickly the committee gets through the first two items.

=====================================================

Alternatively, you might want to email committee members with your opinion. I know many people did this last fall but you might want to do so again.

The committee includes:

·          Peter Hume

·          Peggy Feltmate

·          Michel Bellemare

·          Clive Doucet

·          Diane Holmes

·          Gord Hunter

·          Bob Monette

·          Shad Qadri

 

Click here to send an email to the committee members. If the link doesn't work for you, here are all the addresses. You can copy them into your email client using CRTL+C and CTRL+V to paste into your email program.

 

Peter.Hume@ottawa.ca; Peggy.Feltmate@ottawa.ca; Michel.Bellemare@ottawa.ca; Clive.Doucet@ottawa.ca; Diane.Holmes@ottawa.ca; Gord.Hunter@ottawa.ca; Bob.Monette@ottawa.ca; Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca; rick.chiarelli@ottawa.ca; louise.sweet-lindsay@ottawa.ca

 

This list also includes Councillor Chiarelli and the city planner responsible for this project (Louise Sweet-Lindsay).

 

I hope you can support your neighbours and community in fighting this proposal.

 

Kind regards,

Leo Paoletti

 

 

updated on January 25, 2009

Rezoning is currently on hold as the developer comes up with a revised proposal. Likely March 08 for the new proposal.

 

updated on September 29, 2008 – see Councillor Chiarelli’s community invite here. The meeting is October 2.

The City has received an application for a Zoning By-law Amendment for the property located at the north east corner of Baseline Road and Morrison Drive. The site currently contains seven townhouse buildings each with 12 units. The application is to rezone the property to allow medium and high-rise apartment buildings. The owner proposes to demolish the existing townhouse buildings and construct a multi-storey housing complex composed of two 4-storey apartment buildings, two 3-storey stacked unit buildings, two 14-storey apartment buildings and one 20-storey apartment building. The total number of units to be developed is 537 (453 units more units than currently exist). The application will go before Planning and Environment Committee sometime in late fall.

 

Click here to see the document the City has sent to nearby neighbours. It outlines the proposed amendments to the City by-laws to enable the building of these units.

 

The residents of Morrison Gardens have already started to send out information alerting their neighbours about the potential changes to their community. Click here to see the document.

 

You can also see other documents regarding this matter:

 

·        Councillor Rick Chiarelli’s comments

·        City of Ottawa by-law application for zoning change. Here you will find some environmental assessments. However, there is very little mention of Qualicum-Graham Park.

·        The Planning Rationale document submitted by the developer.

·        See some of the Drawings and Renderings from the architect. (added September 10)

 

This development could have a significant impact in our community including:

·        Traffic

·        Parking

·        Crime

·        Speeding

·        Public Facilities and services

 

In addition, three high rises will be very imposing on our neighbourhood.

 

If you have comments on this issue, click here to send them to Councillor Rick Chiarelli, the City planner responsible for this project, and Leo Paoletti (Qualicum-Graham Park Exec). Please do so as soon as you can.

 

Thanks,

Leo Paoletti