Dalhousie Community Association

DALHOUSIE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 755 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6R1 Eric Darwin, President 9 February 2012 Alain Miguelez, Planning & Growth Mgmt. Dept. City of Ottawa Dear Sir, Re: Re-Zoning of 500 Preston St. (Soho Italia) On 25 January 2012, the Planning and Development Committee of the Dalhousie Community Association were given a presentation of perspectives and elevation drawings of a 30 storey apartment tower. This was the third proposal we have seen from the current developer. No shadow, traffic, wind studies or other impact material was presented. You may recall that the OMB imposed a previous re-zoning from 6 storeys to a tower of 19 storeys with a high-calibre of design and a much smaller footprint. The present proposal is much bulkier, much higher and of an unremarkable character. We do not consider this location appropriate for such a significantly larger, higher, bulkier building. It is not on Carling Avenue where the highest buildin

DCA Draft Minutes, 1 Feb 2012 Present: Charles Akben-Marchand (chair), Catherine Boucher, Don Smith, Eric Darwin (sec), Mike Powell, Stephanie Strudwick, David Seaborn, Ida Henderson, Don McMaster, Pat Snair, Archie Campbell. Guest: Laura Bergen from the Councillor’s office. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with a minor change (moved by Catherine, seconded by Eric). Report of Development Committee • Soho Italia at 500 Preston: major changes include moving the garage to the basement and a slight reduction in height. We remain concerned that it is not a landmark exterior despite its prominent location, that stepbacks are required as the building goes up, and that it’s still too damn high. A letter to planning committee will be sent. • 347 Booth infill: we are delighted with this project and will support it in its current form. • Bridgehead on Anderson: city approved $1 in lieu of parking, as the proponent will be providing significant exterior enhancement