1630 Star Top Rd. | 32m | 8 fl | Proposed

[rocketphish]

Arnon Corporation is proposing the construction of an 8-storey office building situated in the northwest corner of a property at 1630 Star Top Rd., adjacent their neighbouring 4-storey office building at 1600 Star Top Rd., currently occupied by the Department of National Defence.

Details: http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__7SGR0O


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http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4091385570_b0d9a36cc7_o_d.jpg

[adam-machiavelli]

concrete ocean *barf*

[k2p]

Yes and no. No argument, it's awful. But at the same time, it's better than nothing with the ingredients to become better--with more buildings, and parking underground.

Let's face it, that part of town ain't pretty anyway. This is better than what's there now, and probably a step in the right direction.

That said, yes, barf.

[archie-tect]

Look mom I can design a parking lot. That said I have done it. It's not fun to have the parking lot dictate the building... part of it is City requirements, the parking lot as big as it is, is only 20 or so spaces more than the minimum City requirements, but as Adam mentions "Barf"

[Mille Sabords]

Pure suburbia at its worst. Why is this thread even in the downtown section?

[rocketphish]

Pure suburbia at its worst. Why is this thread even in the downtown section?

Because my definition of "Downtown and City of Ottawa" means anything inside the greenbelt. Go outside that boundary and you're into the "Suburbs" forum.

I'm open to other interpretations, however. Is there a forum guideline on this?

[Norman Bates]

Is this the site of Zagerman's?

[rocketphish]

Is this the site of Zagerman's?

Yes.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4099140999_8c9b64b154_o_d.jpg

[cityguy]

WOW,lots of parking.The city should try to increase public transportation,by limiting on site parking.

[harls]

A nice rail corridor right next door.. imagine the possibilities. Oh well.

[Ottawan]

I don't understand the logic behind the site design:

"We have frontage on two streets, including a major artery. Obviously we should put the parking fronting the streets and hide the office tower amongst the neighbouring industrial properties at the back"

[waterloowarrior]

I don't understand the logic behind the site design:

"We have frontage on two streets, including a major artery. Obviously we should put the parking fronting the streets and hide the office tower amongst the neighbouring industrial properties at the back"

Agreed, but to be fair it's not exactly fronting Innes since there's a big berm and/or the roadway is depressed to go under the rail line (Innes has a wide ROW). However it would have been much nicer to site the building near Innes/Startop. Maybe they have eventual plans to building something there.

[waterloowarrior]

Staff report (http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/pec/2010/02-09/4%20-%20ACS2010-ICS-PGM-0035%20-%201630%20Star%20Top%20Road.htm): That the recommend Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 to change the zoning of 1630 Star Top Road from IL (Light Industrial) to IL H(32) [xxxx] (Light Industrial – Height 32 metres – Exception), as shown on Document 1 and as detailed in Document 2.

Given the proximity of the site to the future rapid transit corridor, the Transit Oriented Development Design Guidelines provide additional direction for urban design. In particular, the highest density buildings should be located close to the street frontage and transit stop, and parking areas should not be located between the building and the street. Staff propose that a special provision be included in the zoning to require buildings to be located closer to the street edge at such time that the location of the rapid transit station is finalized. Until that time, staff are of the view that these specific design considerations can be adequately addressed through the Site Plan Control process

[Richard Eade]

The problem is that the Transitway corridor has been effectively cut off by the new bus garage.

http://REade.fileave.com/Misc/Startop-Development.jpg

I think the building has been set at the back of the property to maximize the size of the building. If it were to be built in the narrower section, then it would need to allow a lane for traffic to pass, making a thinner, but wider building. Personally, I would have put the largest square box in the upper back section, with a green area to its west, and then the required parking in the narrower section.

Maybe if the City can ever get its act together and get the Transitway built, then the parking lot can be built on.

[c_speed3108]

Hmmmmm.....

Well it isn't greeeeaaaaat.

Perhaps they are planning another building on the site at some later point. It is a really weird site and it doesn't look they are co-operating at all with the other office building next door. The roadways are all separate.

I have to give people an A for effort in that part of town. The entire area between Innes/Industrial and the 417 and Alta-vista is just weird. Most industrial, some office, even some pockets of resident. The street layouts are borderline random.

The entire place looks like was designed on the back of a napkin in by a committee of people sitting around a table in bar after more than a few pints.