388 Richmond Road (former Scotiabank branch)
On December 23, 2024, the City of Ottawa received a Zoning By-law Amendment application for 388 Richmond Road. The site is located on the south side of Richmond, between Churchill and Roosevelt. The applicant is proposing to convert the existing Scotiabank into a restaurant (McDonalds) with no vehicular parking. As part of the conversion, the general building envelope is to remain, including the mural along the western wall of the building, and only minor exterior changes to the facades materiality and fenestration are proposed.
The applicant applied to the Committee of Adjustment for this relief last year, but the application was refused.
The plans filed with the City can be viewed here. The Planner responsible for this project welcomes your comments, which can be submitted here.
I had appeared before the Committee of Adjustment when Macdonalds had originally asked for a variance to accomodate this outlet.The Committee refused to agree to a variance on a number of cogent grounds.Now Macdonalds is trying to circumvent the process by asking not for a variance, but for rezoning,something with knock on effects on other businesses and the community.It would be helpful if the Association could consult with residents and businesses,and provide feedback to the City and to Councillor Leiper.
Hello Mr. Haynal:
Thank you very much for your comment on this development file.
I remotely viewed the CofA hearing on this application in September 2024, and I recall being very much impressed by your submission to the committee. It is, unfortunately, too rare for individual residents to take the time to appear in person at these hearings. You not only did this, but put forth a very thoughtful argument. This, no doubt, helped to sway the committee in their decision.
As you point out, the application is now before the City Planning staff to consider under the new delegated authority policy. In Councillor Leiper’s newsletter of January 11th he indicated his support for the Zoning By-law Amendment that would allow this application to proceed.
If you have the time, I might suggest that you review the documentation posted on the Development Applications website for this file, which can be found at https://devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applications/D02-02-24-0085/details. Submitting your feedback to the Planner responsible for this project would ensure that your views are considered. The link to do that is on the same page as the documents. Councillor Leiper asks that any comments also be copied to him (jeff.leiper@ottawa.ca ) as well.
Thank you again,
Scott Burton
WCA