The city is currently gathering feedback on Draft 2 of the New Zoning Bylaw. For more information, see the Engage Ottawa web page, New Zoning By-law.
Warning: with its 319 pages of legalese and no live links, the document is a slog. This reviewer thinks it could do with a better plot and more character development.
It’s possible to go to the New Zoning Bylaw page, look up your neighbour’s lot on the map, see the code, “N2E” for example, click to open the .pdf, scroll or search to Neighbourhood Zones, Section 801 and determine that the lot can hold a maximum of 6 dwellings “per building,” but after that, it seems to get tricky with tables 801 A and B and setbacks or something. Maybe the “E” means fewer dwellings? Or not? Let’s hope the City open house is helpful. Or what if the lot was severed into two lots, each with six units? Or what if…?
Conversion of small residential homes into boxes of several coffin-sized units does seem to be happening—and not too far away. A year ago, the City assured us that intensification would all be gradual, but people closer to the centre of the city are concerned. We may need a bylaw that somehow better protects family-sized dwellings with three or more bedrooms. And will there still be room for trees? Where will everybody park? There’s still a lot to figure out.
“In-person and virtual consultation opportunities on Draft 2 of the new Zoning By-law will start soon and be held this spring. An in-person open house is scheduled for Monday, June 2 at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Virtual open houses will be held on Thursday, May 29 and Tuesday, June 3 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Register for the virtual Open Houses on the Engage Ottawa web page, New Zoning By-law.
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