Study Purpose
The purpose of this study is to review and update planning policy and zoning by-laws in order to better manage future growth and intensification along Bank Street in the Glebe. It is expected that this Height and Character Study will result in a new area-specific policy that will reside in Volume 2B of the Official Plan, as well as City-initiated Zoning By-law Amendments that establish minimum and maximum building heights and massing and appropriate built form.
The study will focus on the following:
- Review the characteristics of the lands in the study area; focusing on neighbourhood context, lot dimensions, scale and built form, urban design attributes, retail characteristics, development potential, and potential lot consolidations.
- Review and analyze the current and historic policies and guidelines for land use, built form, tall and mid-rise buildings, heritage protection and pedestrian environment in the study area.
- Undertake a background review of relevant city documents and recent development applications approved in the study area.
- Establish a long-term vision for the Bank Street streetscape.
- Consult with technical advisors and public stakeholders.
- Recommend changes to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law, focussing on built form, building heights, and urban design characteristics.
For the purposes of this study, the word ‘character’ relates to aspects of built form that represent prominent patterns on the streetscape, including:
- Primary and incidental uses of the land, particularly uses of the ground floor and interface with the public realm including associated landscaping, amenity area, and access;
- Location of buildings, accessory buildings and structures including frontage and lot depths;
- Minimum and maximum building height and accessory building and structure heights;
- Bulk and massing, density, and associated floor areas; and
- Minimum and maximum lot areas and lot widths.
The study will not:
- Result in a Community Design Plan
- Prevent development from occurring along Bank Street
- Remove the Traditional Mainstreet designation from any part of its extent as currently applied
- Expand the study area to include surrounding low density residential neighbourhoods
- Result in the creation of new City programs
- Reduce existing development potential that is already permitted through zoning
Study Process
This study is structured around a three-phase process from August 2018 to December 2019 as follows:
Phase 1: Project Initiation and Existing Conditions – August 2018 to February 2019
- Research/identify existing conditions
- Initial meetings with Councillor Menard and the Glebe Community Association
- Launch project website
- Introduce project to the community and confirm existing conditions
- Establish a stakeholder working group
- Seek community input on principles and directions
Phase 2: Proposed Directions – February to May 2019
- Undertake required studies to confirm directions
- Meet with stakeholder working group
- Hold public engagement event to consult and gain feedback on directions and principles
- Develop planning options and draft recommendations
Phase 3: Recommendations – May to December 2019
- Meet with stakeholder working group
- Hold public engagement event for feedback on draft recommendations
- Prepare staff report and final recommendations for proposed policy and zoning changes
- Planning Committee and Council meetings to consider proposed secondary plan policies and zoning amendments
Related Studies
The Study Area for the Bank Street in the Glebe: Height and Character Study overlaps the study area of another ongoing City study called the Clemow Estate Heritage Conservation District Phase II. This may affect the properties at the northwest, southwest, and southeast corners of Bank St at Clemow Ave. In order to capture potential synergies between the two studies and provide convenience for interested residents, joint public events may be held for both studies.
Contact
If you would like to be added to the stakeholder notification list or would like additional information, please contact:
Peter Giles, Planner, Zoning and Interpretation
Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development
City of Ottawa | Ville d’Ottawa
tel: 613-580-2424 ext./poste 21667
email: Peter.Giles@ottawa.ca(link sends e-mail)
ottawa.ca/planning