[waterloowarrior]

http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__7I6G52
http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__7I6GET

The proposal is located at the NE corner of Rochester and Balsam

The applicant is proposing a seven-storey mixed-use building with some commercial space on the ground floor, approximately 60 apartment units above, commercial parking at grade (under the building), and residential parking underground.

here are some images I assembled from the planning rationale (http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image%20Referencing_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Amendment%20Application_Image%20Reference_Planning_Rationale_D02-02-08-0119.PDF)

http://wwuploads.googlepages.com/263-267Rochester.jpg

[Mille Sabords]

Too much setback from the sidewalk, with resulting useless grass in front of the building - otherwise, a good little project.

[lrt's friend]

Isn't the setback designed to be consistent with neighbouring buildings? Consistent setbacks are important in maintaining visual continuity in a neighbourhood.

[Mille Sabords]

Isn't the setback designed to be consistent with neighbouring buildings? Consistent setbacks are important in maintaining visual continuity in a neighbourhood.

I agree, setbacks are one thing, but MUST they be grass? I mean, here we have a mixed-use building whose ground floor is meant to engage people on the sidewalk, hopefully with well-appointed display windows, and yet having grass between those windows and the sidewalk conveys a get-away-from-me message to passersby. There is a functional contradiction there which makes grass the wrong choice for an active ground floor, or an active ground floor the wrong choice if they want a grassy setback.

[harls]

What kind of development is it.. is it a seniors residence? or is it like that place in Vanier with the slimy Tijuana dude as their spokesmodel? Seems to me that if it's a senior-type place, they like to be as far away from the sidewalk as possible (lest someone mess up their shuffleboard shot). Hipsters on the other hand, don't mind being so close to the street.

no? am I out in left field on this one?

(christmas office party.. too much nog today..)

[cityguy]

I live near by.and I think it's a great proposal,besides seniors can live close to the street because they can't hear.

[waterloowarrior]

some news from West Side Action blog
http://westsideaction.blogspot.com/2009/04/shrinking-condos.html


Immediately to the left of the Z6 are a series of land parcels owned by Fanto. They applied for rezoning to permit a seven storey condo at the corner of Balsam and Rochester, with two more 'future' buildings to be built on either side of it. They did not get the desired rezoning, facing opposition from the Councilor and Dalhousie Community Assoc. I gather they are now considering a lower rise building or stacked townhouses for their site.

[osirisboy]

Isn't the setback designed to be consistent with neighbouring buildings? Consistent setbacks are important in maintaining visual continuity in a neighbourhood.

agreed but the set back used here seems a little too large, looks weird but otherwise looks like a nice project.