The Taggart Group of Companies says the proposed towers on O’Connor Street between Gilmour and MacLaren Streets are landmark. The article in the Ottawa Business Journal states: “Under the Centretown Community Design Plan, buildings on streets such as O’Connor and Metcalfe can exceed established height limits if they qualify as “true civic or national landmarks.”” – I always thought landmark status was earned over time as opposed to something that springs out of the ground as one – I stand corrected!
It just seems to me the city creates an Official Plan which is not workable, not taking into consideration the desires of the developers, the community, and the needs of city. The result is that once the plan is set, amendments are requested which ultimately results in completely disregarding the Official Plan. Somerset Councillor Catherine McKenney has concerns about the development and how it will fit into the community.
Seems just yesterday I was posting about two towers to be constructed at Bank Street and Lisgar Street. – Intensification really is happening but at what cost. I think of Westboro my former hood during high school. A really nice area where developers came in sprung up so many new oversized homes that the spirit which attracted them there has been been extinguished. Other neighbourhoods such as Sandy Hill are threatened but a strong community succeeds at keeping most development under control. A herculean task at times!
I must repeat what I’ve said before, having worked downtown many years ago, after 5pm the downtown core became a ghost town, now it’s nice to see there are so many more residents in the centre and the sidewalks need not be rolled up.
I just wish there was more honesty, more transparency working for a common goal! A utopian dream!
