Infill developer proposes new apartment building for Old Ottawa East
Ottawa East News, April 28, 2015
By Alex Robinson
A developer has applied to build a new four-story apartment building at 47 Havelock St., much to the chagrin of the property’s neighbours, who are worried the complex could draw more students to the area.
Jakub Ulak, of Surface Developments, has applied for a zoning amendment to build a low-rise building that would have 23 residential units. The building would take up a triangle-shaped lot on the corner of Havelock Street and Greenfield Avenue in Old Ottawa East that is currently occupied by a two-storey detached house.
Heather Jarrett, who lives down the street from the proposed development, said she is worried the building’s small units are being designed to attract students and young transient people.
“I have nothing against students in moderation,” she said. “We already have a lot of them in the neighborhood. They don’t have as much interest in looking after their property.”
Jarrett also expressed concerns about an increase in cars parking on the street, which already is tight on spots. The new building would have a parking garage with only nine spots for cars and 12 spaces for bicycles.
“To me this is a money grab and really designed to sell to students and to make as much money out of this little building as possible,” she said.
“Developers have the right to sell to whoever will buy. You kind of hope developers will come along that will have more respect for the surrounding community.”
The proposal also includes putting an amenity space on the building’s roof.
Stephen Pope, the chairman of the Old Ottawa East Community Association’s planning committee, said he would ideally like to see the building scaled back a bit so that neighbours that will be directly adjacent will have more room.
“There is a desire to make sure the building isn’t unduly crowding the adjacent townhouse,” he said.
“The problem is the area is being intensified and the zoning that it’s given permits buildings of a much different character than the ones already there. There is a growing feeling of unease of the place being taken over.”
Old Ottawa East is largely townhouses and single family homes on small blocks, but zoning bylaws do allow for apartment buildings to be built in most areas. The neighbourhood has started to intensify as developers have increasingly bought up properties with smaller homes and built apartments in their place, Pope said.
“It’s out of character because it’s an apartment building and on the border line of where apartment buildings should be and where they’re not,” Pope said.
Capital Coun. David Chernushenko said he thought the proposal made good use of the space, but if residents thought it was too big, he would take that into consideration.
“I don’t think a four-storey building with apartments is out of place. We actually need apartments. The centre of Ottawa has a massive unmet need for apartments,” he said.
“We are moving that way. The community is getting denser.”
Chernushenko said he spoke with Surface Developments and there was nothing in the application that made him think the developer was trying to cram as many people into the building as possible without regard for neighbours.
“I think it’s unfortunate that some immediately jump to say ‘Oh no. There will be students,’” he said. “The problem we have with students and other people who occasionally might not be good neighbours is when the houses are designed for a single user and you get seven people sharing a house... I’ve seen plenty of those. This didn’t seem to be a developer who caters to that market.”
Ulak could not be reached for comment.
Residents have until May 12 to submit comments and can do so by emailing
kimberley.baldwin@ottawa.ca.
http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/n...d-ottawa-east/
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