Development with 1,500 residential units, 136 parking spaces proposed for Orléans

A proposal for five buildings in Orléans offers 1,500 units, but the parking spaces are only meant for visitors. CTV’s Peter Szperling reports.

A five-building development with 1,500 residential units and 136 visitor parking spaces is being proposed for Orléans Town Centre, near the future O-Train East Extension.

Forum Asset Management has submitted a zoning bylaw amendment for a development with four high-rise buildings and one mid-rise building, ranging from nine storeys to 40 storeys, at 530 Brisebois Crescent and part of 265 Centrum Boulevard.

The area is located near the Shenkman Arts Centre and close to Highway 174.

“The plan envisions a high-density, mixed-use community in close proximity to the Orléans Town Centre that leverages the proximity of the new LRT station to the north to support transit-oriented development and sustainable urban growth,” says the application by Forum Asset Management and SvN Architects.

“The development promotes a compact, pedestrian-oriented built form that enhances connectivity to transit, local amenities, and surrounding neighbourhoods.”

The proposal would see a 30-storey residential building at 265 Centrum Boulevard, flanked by a nine-storey residential building with a total of 375 units. The area would also feature a three-storey community centre that will be dedicated to the city as publish lands.

Three high-rise buildings, at 30, 35 and 40 storeys, will be built at 530 Brisebois Crescent, with townhouses along the ground floor. There will be 1,130 residential units in the three buildings.

However, the plan only proposes visitor parking spaces for the residents living in the 1,500 units.

“Parking is not required given the proximity to future transit, but 136 vehicular visitor parking spaces and 753 bicycle parking spaces are proposed to be provided,” says the proposal summary submitted by Novatech, on behalf of Forum Asset Management.

Coun. Jeff Leiper, chair of the planning and housing committee, says the city no longer has minimum parking requirements for new builds, leaving it up to developers to decide what they need.

“In our most recent comprehensive zoning bylaw passed at the end of December, we have eliminated minimum parking requirements,” he said. “There’s been a recognition that it should be left up to the market.”

In a post on Facebook, Coun. Matthew Luloff said he understands residents’ frustrations about the lack of parking spaces.

“It is difficult to square a proposal of roughly 1,500 units with no resident parking,” Luloff said, encouraging residents to provide feedback to the city.

“That said, this is a zoning bylaw amendment application, and it has not been approved.”

Speaking to CTV News Ottawa, Luloff said welcoming more residents to Orléans is an exciting prospect, but he’s concerned about the number of units.

“The infrastructure needs to be in place to support that growth. And it just doesn’t exist right now,” he said.

The 30-storey tower on Brisebois Crescent would have 312 units, including 112 one bedroom and 140 two-bedroom apartments, while the 35 storey and 40 storey buildings on Brisebois would have a total of 818 units. The 30-storey building on Centrum would have 312 units, while the nine-storey building would have 63 units.

The construction plan would see the 30-storey building and the nine-storey building built first, while the community centre construction will depend on “various external factors.”

Community centre

The plan proposes building a three-storey community centre on the northern edge of the site, adjacent to a park.

According to the plan, it would provide “flexible indoor space for recreation, programming, and local events that serve both new residents and the broader Orléans community.”

The report says the three-storey community centre will be dedicated to the city as public lands, “which is intended to account for the required parkland dedication for this development.”

“The proposal envisions a potential community centre, that combined with the existing Cumberland Seniors Park and Royal 22e Régiment Park can create a true heart for this new community,” the report said.

“Together, these spaces establish a central social and recreational anchor that elevates the site’s mixed-use character. By placing social spaces at the core, the plan ensures the neighbourhood becomes a cohesive, welcoming place that fosters interaction, activity, and a strong sense of belonging in the heart of Orléans.”

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Peter Szperling

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