The City of Ottawa’s planning and housing committee has approved a plan to build six towers between 21 and 35 storeys on Coventry Road near the St. Laurent Shopping Centre and transit station. The plan would lead to the creation of 1,770 housing units in a lot situated between Coventry Road and Highway 417 on the west side of Belfast Road. The development would be split into two blocks, to be separated by a new east-west public road. The north block, along Coventry, would include an 1,800 square foot park, a 25-storey tower and a 28-storey tower. The ground floor would have retail space. The remaining four towers, with heights of 21, 31, 33, and 35 storeys, would be built in the south block along Highway 417. “The Official Plan amendment would increase permitted height and density. For the north block, permitted height would increase from 20 to 30 storeys, and minimum required density would also increase. For the south block, permitted height would increase from 30 to 35 storeys,” the City of Ottawa said in a news release. “The zoning amendment would change the parent zoning from General Mixed-Use to Transit Oriented Development, aligning with the aim of creating a compact and walkable community near a rapid transit station. It would increase permitted building heights and confirm right-of-way widths for the new public road, building setbacks and minimum tower separations.” The plan was carried unanimously by councillors on the planning and housing committee. It will come before city council on Aug. 27.
