City of Ottawa reviews plans for new apartment buildings in Stittsville

The city is reviewing a development proposal to build three new apartment buildings in Stittsville. CTV’s Dave Charbonneau reports.

The City of Ottawa is reviewing plans for three new apartment buildings on Robert Grant Avenue in Stittsville. While the proposal aims to address housing needs, some residents are raising concerns about the size of the project.

Rashid Mohamed lives directly across the street from an empty field where Lepine Apartments has plans for an 18-storey high-rise. He says he doesn’t like the look of the field.

“In one way, it’s like, this is an eyesore,” Mohamed said. “And the other way, it’s like, you know, we’re going to have a whole lot of extra traffic, right?”

Lepine’s plan calls for three buildings with more than 500 units, one with 18 stories. Six hundred and fifty-one parking spaces will also be added.

“So, what’s proposed here is just over 500 apartments, and the location is near a future rapid transit station, a bus station,” councillor Glen Gower said. “Now, that’s not built yet, but in the coming years, it will be. We did put a condition on this development that the tallest building that has most of the units can’t go ahead until more of the transportation infrastructure in Stittsville is built out.”

If approved, this would be another highrise development in Stittsville. A 21-storey tower is set to be built on Hazeldean Road.

To help with congestion, the city is developing a transit plan. Some residents believe traffic will become unbearable.

“As I understand it, the density is going to be about three times greater than what the density is in the general area,” said Neil MacLellan, a Stittsville resident.

MacLellan, who has lived in Stittsville for five years, says these buildings would be a huge mistake for the area.

“The traffic already at Abbott Street and Robert Grant is a nightmare in the afternoon when the schools let out,” MacLellan said.

CTV News Ottawa reached out to Lepine for comment but has not heard back.

As for Mohamed, traffic might be a concern, but he recognizes the need for more housing in the area.

“We do have a big housing issue, right?” Mohamed said. “So, I agree with that. So, I believe that would be something that would definitely help.”

The city is accepting community feedback on this latest highrise development until Jan. 27.