As some of you may know, in mid-2018 the City Council passed a bylaw amendment to rezone three addresses on Roosevelt Avenue near Richmond Road to permit Domicile Developments to build a six storey condo with retail establishments on the first two storeys. This decision was taken despite local opposition to a mixed use mid-rise on a residential side street. Councillor Jeff Leiper and four other Council members from urban wards voted against the bylaw amendment because it could set a precedent leading to over-intensification on residential streets.
A group of concerned neighbours formed the Westboro Residents Group to appeal Council’s bylaw amendment before the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal (LPAT) on the grounds that the bylaw amendment is inconsistent with Ottawa’s Official Plan and the Ontario Planning Act. The board of the Westboro Community Association shares the group’s concern that the proposed development represents a serious incursion of over-intensification into an established residential neighborhood.
The Westboro Residents Group needed to hire legal, urban planning and architecture professionals to advance its appeal. The appeal finished in December and a decision is expected in 2021. Because there is no system of public subsidies for LPAT appeals, local residents have to raise money to foot the bill. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Westboro Residents Group has raised approximately $70,000. Unfortunately, another $20,000 is needed to pay outstanding professional fees
If you would like to make a contribution you can send an e-transfer to westbororesidentsgroup@gmail.com (answer to the security question: Starbucks), or deposit a cheque at the TD Bank Branch on Richmond Road to the Westboro Residents Group account. You can also send an email to the email address above to arrange for a cheque pickup and deposit.