‘Love-in or mushroom cloud’
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Love+mu...767/story.html
Plans for former convent to be unveiled tonight
BY MARIA COOK, THE OTTAWA CITIZENMARCH 9, 2010 11:02 PM
When Ashcroft Homes unveils its proposal for the Sisters of Visitation site in Westboro tonight, “it will either be a love-in or there will be a mushroom cloud,” says Paul Rothwell, Ashcroft’s director of planning and development.
Already, Councillor Christine Leadman, who has seen an image of what is planned for 114 Richmond Rd., says: “It looks institutional. It looks like a fortress. The density is much higher than I feel comfortable with.”
Ashcroft will present plans at a public meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. George’s Church, 415 Piccadilly Ave.
“We think the complex is going to be a marvelous blend of open space and built form,” Rothwell says.
The 100-year-old former convent will be restored and maintained at “enormous” cost, he says.
A series of public paths will connect Richmond Road and Byron Avenue and there will be 12 outdoor courtyards along the way.
Ashcroft will work to save mature trees and the buildings will be set back farther than required by zoning from adjacent Leighton Terrace backyards.
“To do all of that, we’re asking for something in return,” Rothwell says. “We’re asking for some floor space and some building height to be approved here.”
He did not specify height or number of units, but Leadman says the plan calls for two condo towers on Richmond Road of 11 storeys and eight storeys and a five-storey building on Byron Avenue.
The buildings continue in stepped storeys across the Richmond Road frontage, travelling over a two-storey arched portal for pedestrians and cars.
“It’s not open anymore,” Leadman says. “It’s a box-like environment.”
Rothwell disagrees and calls the portal a “fabulous” feature. “When people walk through they’ll have this feeling that they’re entering an enclave. You find yourself standing in this enormous outdoor plaza with the convent to one side, and all redone with (a) restaurant … with this elaborate landscaping.”
Usually, condos are designed to keep the public out, he said.
“We’re doing just the opposite. We’re inviting the public in.”
Leadman says some residents will be unhappy about a road into the complex crossing the Byron Street path.
“You’re adding an automotive element to a pathway and taking away green space and pedestrian space.”
Rothwell says “the planners at the city and transportation people at the city have given the thumbs-up to an entrance off Byron.”
The city’s Ottawa Built Heritage Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on March 18 to consider heritage designation of the site. A report by the city’s heritage planning office is expected to recommend designation under the provincial Heritage Act.
Rothwell says designation is not a concern. “We’ve been working collaboratively with everyone involved.”
Lorne Cutler, of the Hampton-Iona community group, says residents are looking forward to seeing the plans. “Height, density, and traffic impacts are the main concerns. We hope that Ashcroft is going to give the community a chance to respond in a meaningful way before submitting plans to City Hall.”
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
Prev
Honestly compared to some of them Christine Leadman looks like the pro development queen.
Linear Mode
