96 Nepean St | 27 Floors | Approved

[m0nkyman]

Across the street from the other Nepean St. Tower.

Please be advised that a complete Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control application has been received. A summary of the application is below and you will receive a circulation of the application shortly.



Site Location:
The property is located on the south side of Nepean Street between O’Connor and Metcalfe Streets and is municipally known as 96 Nepean Street.



Description of Site and Surroundings:

The subject property is vacant and currently being used as a commercial parking lot. The surrounding land uses are a mix of residential, office and commercial uses. More specifically, there is a commercial parking lot to the west, to the east is a three-storey apartment building, to the north is a parking lot (89-91 Nepean Street) which recently obtained approval to develop the site for a high-rise apartment dwelling.



Purpose of Zoning By-law Amendment/Site Plan Control Proposal:

To facilitate the construction of a 27-storey residential building.



Proposal Details:

The Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control application propose a 27-storey residential building with a total of 201 residential units proposed and approximately 161 underground parking spaces.



The Zoning By-law Amendment proposes to remove the existing FSI restriction of 3.0, permit a height of 83.0 metres and to reduce the front, interior and rear yard setbacks.

[S-Man]

What's with 27 floors these days? Yikes.
So, with this app (if approved), this would make five 27 story buildings in a one square block area.

Who's the builder?

[amanfromnowhere]

It's Claridge Homes. Design by FoTenn. Planning Rationale is up with renderings:

http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Im...12-11-0227.PDF

[teej1984]

I believe Clairidge Plaza I - IV are also all 27 stories!

[S-Man]

Look at page 32 of the rationale - it has an aerial view of the area. Lotsa density! Wow.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by S-Man

Look at page 32 of the rationale - it has an aerial view of the area. Lotsa density! Wow.

So no non-residential use on the ground floor?

[Ottawan]

My fear is that this is now too many projects in too small an area for Claridge to handle quickly (three at Tribeca, three in the Nepean/Gloucester corridor). If Lebreton has taught us anything, it's that their build-out rate is inversely proportional to the number of units in a given area...

[drawarc]

Renderings from the PDF:
Link:webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image Referencing_Site Plan Application_Image Reference_Planning Rationale D07-12-11-0227.PDF

[S-Man]

Wow, those green roofs are positively glowing! *cough*

The ground floor for this proposal is actually quite interesting, given what normally passes for the bottom of an average building around here.

[ajldub]

Looks nice, let's hope the materials used end up looking as nice as the renderings...

[S-Man]

Agreed, though in hindsight it's shape is too similar (if not identical) to the other Nepean/Gloucester buildings. Some different definition near the top would go a long way.

That block is going to be LOUD for the coming decade it seems. Funny, a friend of mine has an apartment across the street from this site, and next door to the other Nepean tower site. If she complains, I'll have to say 'that's the way it is'. The occupants of Imperial Apartments and the one facing it have had many decades of absolutely no change in their neighbourhood, and Nepean St. especially.

[drawarc]

Area will look much different in a few years. I guess the future opening of a Sobeys grocery nearby has helped.

[McC]

From the twitter

David Reevely ‏ @davidreevely

Claridge proposes another 27-storey tower. 200 units, 96 Nepean Street. Here's their (large PDF) rationale: http://bit.ly/Kq0Lwo

UPDATE: from the story

Another condo tower proposed for northeast Centretown


By David Reevely, The Ottawa CitizenMay 15, 2012 12:02 PM



OTTAWA — Prolific condo-builder Claridge Homes is seeking to build another 27-storey tower in northeast Centretown, just a block from two more 27-storey buildings it has on the go at Nepean and Metcalfe streets.

The height matches the new plan for the neighbourhood that’s set to be approved by city council within weeks, but Councillor Diane Holmes is worried that having so many towers along Nepean Street will add up to trouble.

“[A]lthough this development does respond to the design guidelines that are proposed in the Centretown Community Design by placing a tower on a podium, providing at-grade townhouse units with front yards, and some soft landscaping, when added to the four already-approved towers within half a block of this development, it will be an overwhelming presence on the street, creating a canyon on Nepean Street,” Holmes wrote in formal comments on the Claridge proposal.

The tower would add about 200 units to a quickly growing neighbourhood. Claridge’s proposal points out that it’s within easy walking distance of the planned light-rail line and fits into the community.

“Finally, its stylish architectural character will contribute to the environment of Centretown,” the company’s proposal says. The building was designed by Montreal architect Dan Hanganu, who often works with Claridge. It features several different entrances and design features at ground level — though no storefronts — and garden terraces at the 6th and 27th floors.

City council’s planning committee is to debate the proposal May 22. The report to the committee from city staff says the building would require a rezoning and a payment from Claridge as a consequence, which would be spent on a piece of public art for Jack Purcell Park a few blocks to the south and on beautifying Nepean Street between Metcalfe and Bank.

dreevely@ottawacitizen.com

ottawacitizen.com/greaterottawa
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

[amanfromnowhere]

it will be on the agenda next Tuesday. From Sun:

Downtown keeps growing up.

The planning committee next Tuesday will entertain an application by Claridge Homes to build a 27-storey residential tower at 96 Nepean St., which is currently a parking lot between O'Connor and Metcalfe streets.

There would be 201 units, 161 underground parking spaces and 101 bicycle parking spots.

Planning staff are recommending the committee give the application a thumbs up.

Staff warn the committee that refusing the application could cost up to $55,000 to defend the decision in the event it's appealed at the Ontario Municipal Board.

There is no height limit under the existing zoning.

Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes' comments on the application express concern the tower would be an “overwhelming presence on the street, creating a canyon on Nepean St,” however, she acknowledges the building adheres to design guidelines.

Holmes indicates Claridge has agreed to provide the city money to commission public art for Jack Purcell Community Centre and park and beautification work on Nepean St. between Bank and Metcalfe streets

http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/05/15/...tower-proposal

[Davis137]

Doesn't look bad, but like the others said, good luck to the builder to keep so many projects on the go at the same time. Also, I agree, what's with 27 floors being the approved floor count in this city? Why not 30-37? That tall (and taller) will likely come in the future, at least I think so. Of all the times I've been on airplanes and Helicopters, downtown or centertown are not in any danger of flight paths, at least, not that I've observed...

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by Davis137

Doesn't look bad, but like the others said, good luck to the builder to keep so many projects on the go at the same time.

I was thinking the same thing today. When are they gonna get around to buillding all these buildings? Lebreton Flats alone is taking a long time. Maybe they're trying to be Ottawa's equivalent of Tridel or Daniels.

[waterloowarrior]

staff report
http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/cit...g%20Nepean.htm

[S-Man]

I think it's dumb that Claridge is imposing it's own height limit here. Why not have a few more storeys here? Five 27-storey buildings will just make for the same flat skyline that already exists on a perfectly horizontal line across Centretown.

[Luker]

I have a strong hunch it has to do with saving money through the amount of elevators per building, the floor space saved from them, and even perhaps the procurement and installation contract of all the elevators in the group of buildings...

It's almost certain to do with the bottom line $$$, so what else could it be?

A brown envelope deal with council members limiting them at 27?

[Chris-R]

Originally Posted by Luker

I have a strong hunch it has to do with saving money through the amount of elevators per building, the floor space saved from them, and even perhaps the procurement and installation contract of all the elevators in the group of buildings...

It's almost certain to do with the bottom line $$$, so what else could it be?

A brown envelope deal with council members limiting them at 27?

27 is probably also the most likely to go through without much in the way of opposition. Perhaps (like most Ottawa developers) they've already redeemed their loyalty card at the OMB and would prefer to stop making the trip down the 401.