Proposed Development at 2290 Lawn Ave.

2290 Lawn Ave. (at Woodland Ave.) Many residents in Woodpark are concerned with the level of property development and housing density that has been taking place in recent years. The general concern is with balancing the need for building new homes with ensuring that the quality of life and character in the neighbourhood are protected.

A property developer has purchased the single family home at 2290 Lawn Ave. (at Woodland Ave.). They intend to tear down the existing home and replace it with four homes (two sets of semi-detached homes).

The property is large enough according to current zoning laws to build one set of semi-detached units or two single family homes. However, the property developer has applied for a variance to double the allowable amount of housing.

After carefully considering the proposed development, and after consulting with the neighbours who will be most affected by this, the Woodpark Community Association's position is:

That building 4 units at 2290 Lawn Ave. would be overdevelopment of this property.
That constructing 4 units at this address will not fit the streetscape or the established pattern of housing or the character of the neighbourhood.
That housing intensification of this level will exacerbate problems we are already having in the neighbourhood, such as heavy traffic on Lawn Ave., parking issues and snow removal from newly constructed semi-detached properties with narrow lots.
Current zoning requirements would already double the amount of housing on this property (from one single family home to two semi-detached). This would meet the housing intensification requirements of the City of Ottawa's Official Plan.
That this development plan is clearly based on maximizing profits for the developer and is not based on what is appropriate for the neighbourhood.
That it is regrettable that this is the first property development in Woodpark where a truly good quality, liveable single family home is going to be torn down and replaced.
That any construction on the site should preserve the beautiful mature trees on the property.

The Woodpark Community Association has made an official submission to the Committee of Adjustment regarding this variance application.

Committee of Adjustment Meeting

The Committee of Adjustment meeting took place on May 19th. The Committee of Adjustment officials, the property developer, an engineering consultant, the immediate neighbours, and interested neighbourhood residents were in attendance.

Neighbourhood residents took the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the developer's application. Twenty-four concerned residents attended the meeting, and many more wrote to the Committee to voice their concerns.

The Committee of Adjustment officials listened to the property developer's wishes and to the concerns of the neighbourhood residents. In the end, the Committee voted unanimously to reject the developer's application for a variance.

Many thanks to those who took the time to speak at the meeting, attend the meeting, and write to the Committee of Adjustment with their concerns. Thanks also to those who prepared the community association's official submission.

It is more common for the Committee to grant such variance applications. It is likely that their decision to reject this application was due in no small part to the collective message that was sent by concerned residents. We are thankful that the Committee of Adjustment considered not only the interests of the property developer, but also those of the surrounding neighbours and greater neighbourhood as well.

As it stands now, the property developer cannot proceed with building the four units he was intending to. However, the developer can (and likely will) file an appeal. We await the official decision sometime within 10 days of the May 19th meeting. After that, the developer has 20 days to file an appeal with the Ontario Municipal Board.

Reference Documents

For complete details, please refer to the City of Ottawa documents:

Application for Consent (PDF 126 KB)
Minor Variances/Permission Applications (PDF 126 KB)

WCA's official submission regarding this application

City of Ottawa - Urban Design Guidelines for Low-Medium Density Infill Housing

The community association was provided with hard copies of the property developer's design drawings. To view these, please contact John Blatherwick at jblatherwick@rogers.com or 613-829-2629.

Further Information

If you wish to be kept up to date regarding this proposed development and have not subscribed to Neighbourhood News, please email info@woodpark.ca.

If you have any questions, or would like further information, please contact John Blatherwick from the Woodpark Community Association at jblatherwick@rogers.com or 613-829-2629.