Ottawa planning committee approves 30-storey tower on St. Laurent Boulevard despite resident pushback

Ottawa city councillors approved construction of a 30-storey residential tower on St. Laurent Boulevard in Overbrook, clearing a major planning hurdle despite resident objections over density and traffic.

The development will replace Shore Street Automotive, Golden BBQ Grill Afro-Caribbean restaurant, and a commercial building housing a pawn shop near St. Laurent and Queen Mary Street. The tower will contain 401 residential units, underground parking for 231 vehicles, bicycle parking for 337 bikes, and ground-floor retail space.

Residents raised concerns about the building's height—the zoning bylaw previously limited the site to 20 storeys—and questioned whether 231 parking spaces would accommodate 401 units. Francine Landry, an Alesther Street resident, told councillors that 14 high-rise buildings have been built within 1.5 kilometres in recent years. "This would be the 15th high-rise. We feel that is excessive," Landry said.

At a July virtual meeting hosted by Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King, residents raised safety concerns around Queen Mary Street Public School, about one block west of the site, arguing increased traffic could compromise the school zone. City planning staff concluded the surrounding transportation network "can accommodate the traffic generated by the proposed development, and that no roadway modifications are required."

City planning staff recommended moving forward, noting that the 30-storey height is "generally appropriate" for areas designated "mainstreet corridor" and "hub" under the city's official plan. Highrise buildings up to 40 storeys are generally permitted in those designations. The developer removed west-facing balconies to address overlook concerns in lower-rise residential areas. City staff also found that morning shadowing of nearby properties will occur, though most shadow falls on the commercial district east of St. Laurent Boulevard.