2. WAIVER TO THE ENCROACHMENT BY-LAW 2003-446 FOR 235 KENT STREET

DÉROGATION AU RÈGLEMENT n^o 2003-446 SUR LES EMPIÈTEMENTS POUR le 235 de la rue Kent

Committee recommendation

That Council approve the waiver of the Encroachment By-law 2003-446 for 235 Kent Street to permit the construction of a 0.6 metre high retaining wall on the Nepean Street and Lisgar Street frontages.

Recommandation dU ComitÉ

Que le Conseil municipal approuve une dérogation au Règlement no 2003-446 sur les empiètements pour le bien-fonds sis au 235 de la rue Kent afin de permettre la construction d’un mur de soutènement de 0,6 mètre de hauteur sur des bandes de terrain donnant sur les rues Nepean et Lisgar.

Documentation

1. Deputy City Manager, Public Works and Services report dated 8 January 2008 (ACS2008-PWS-TRF-0001).

2. Extract of draft Minutes, 20 February 2008.

Report to/Rapport au :

Transportation Committee/

Comité des transports

and Council / et au Conseil

8 January 2008 / le 8 janvier 2008

Submitted by/Soumis par :

R.G. Hewitt, Deputy City Manager/Directeur municipal

Public Works and Services/Services et Travaux publics 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Michael J. Flainek, M.Eng., P.Eng

Director, Traffic and Parking Operations/Directeur, Circulation de stationnement

613-580-2424 x 26882, Michael.Flainek@ottawa.ca

Somerset (14)

Ref N°: ACS2008-PWS-TRF-0001

SUBJECT:	WAIVER TO THE ENCROACHMENT BY-LAW 2003-446 FOR 235 KENT STREET
OBJET :	DÉROGATION AU RÈGLEMENT n^o 2003-446 SUR LES EMPIÈTEMENTS POUR le 235 de la rue Kent

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That Transportation Committee recommend Council approve the waiver of the Encroachment By-law 2003-446 for 235 Kent Street to permit the construction of a 0.6 metre high retaining wall on the Nepean Street and Lisgar Street frontages.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité des transports recommande au Conseil municipal d’approuver une dérogation au Règlement n^o 2003-446 sur les empiètements pour le bien-fonds sis au 235 de la rue Kent afin de permettre la construction d’un mur de soutènement de 0,6 mètre de hauteur sur des bandes de terrain donnant sur les rues Nepean et Lisgar.

BACKGROUND

The subject property known municipally as 235 Kent street is an “L” shaped site with frontages on Kent Street, Nepean Street and Lisgar Street. A Site Plan Control application (D07-12-06-0095) was submitted for a two-phased development comprising of two condominium high-rise apartment buildings. The Phase 1 Kent Street building includes 15 residential storeys (123 dwelling units) set above a one-storey, landscaped podium and entry level. The Phase 2 Nepean Street building is 17 storeys (114 dwelling units) and will be set upon an expanded landscaped podium. The configuration of these buildings on-site frees up a large portion of the site to be landscaped open space. The Site Plan Control application was approved on 7 February 2007.

DISCUSSION

Approximately 51% of the subject site will be landscaped area that includes the green open space at the Nepean Street and Kent Street corner of the property. The streetscape design of the proposed development contains a terraced landscaped low-level retaining wall that undulates to form small, semi-circular, public seating nodes. In order to maximize green open space, section of this retaining wall will be constructed on the City of Ottawa’s road allowance. However, Provision 3(2) of the Encroachment By-law 2003-446 prohibits the construction of surface encroachments. The proponent has approached this Division for relief from this provision.

The low-level landscaped retaining wall is intended to provide a pedestrian scale street environment that is comfortable and inviting and to provide an opportunity for street animation. Additionally, the terraces help reduce the impact of a ‘wall effect’ along the property line, softening the edge between the pedestrian sidewalk and the building face.

Should Provision 3(2) of the Encroachment By-law be waived, the proponent will be required to enter into an encroachment agreement with associated annual fees. Additionally, the proponent will be required to retain a bonded contractor with necessary securities and insurance to work in the road allowance. The contractor will be required to adhere to all conditions set forth in the Road Activity By-law 2003-445, including the requirement for a Road Cut Permit to excavate within the road allowance.

CONSULTATION

The proposal has been reviewed and approved through the Site Plan Control process and has received Municipal Consent through the Utility Circulation process. Additionally, the Urban Design Peer Review Panel reviewed this proposal against the objectives of the Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Strategy and the Official Plan and found that the development was consistent with the conditions of the Downtown Urban Design Review Pilot Project and that it will make a strong contribution to the neighbourhood and Downtown Ottawa. The Ward Councillor is in support of the proposal.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Should the waiver be supported, the applicant will be required to enter into a Permanent Encroachment Agreement with associated fees including a processing fee of $325 and an annual permanent encroachment fee of $250.00 for the duration of the encroachment. Additionally, the applicant will be required to pay the Road Cut Permit fee of $348 plus any applicable winter reinstatement fees if the work is undertaken between 15 November 2007 and 14 April 2008.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1- Site Plan

Document 2- Retaining Wall Detail

DISPOSITION

Should Council support the recommendations contained in this report, the Department will advise the applicant.

DOCUMENT 1

SITE PLAN

DOCUMENT 2

RETAINING WALL DETAIL

WAIVER TO THE ENCROACHMENT BY-LAW 2003-446 FOR 235 KENT STREET

DÉROGATION AU RÈGLEMENT NO 2003-446 SUR LES EMPIÈTEMENTS POUR LE 235 DE LA RUE KENT

ACS2008-PWS-TRF-0001 somerset (14)

The following staff members were present to answer questions on the aforementioned report:

· Wayne Newell, Acting Deputy City Manager, Public Works and Services (PWS)

· Michael Flainek, Director, Traffic and Parking Operations Branch, PWS

· Ermis Durofil, Program Manager, Bylaws, Permits & Inspections, PWS

· Gordon Harrison, Planner II, Development Approvals West/Central Division, Planning Branch, Planning, Transit and the Environment.

Both Councillors Legendre and Wilkinson asked senior staff to ensure that crucial information is provided clearly, and is easily accessible in future reports brought forward for Committee’s consideration; in the case of this particular report, the property line to be shown clearly and the details as to what extent is the encroachment. Mr. Newell conceded to do so.

In response to both Councillors Legendre and Wilkinson, staff provided Committee with information on the property line, the width of sidewalks and clarifications on the extent of the encroachment. Staff noted support of this application.

At the request of Councillor Wilkinson, Mr. Harrison agreed to confirm with the applicant that approximately 51% of the subject site will be landscaped are that would include green open space at the Nepean Street and Kent Street corner of the property as indicated in the report, and report back to the Councillor before this matter is considered by City Council on 27 April 2008.

The Committee then considered and approved the report recommendation as presented.

That Transportation Committee recommend Council approve the waiver of the Encroachment By-law 2003-446 for 235 Kent Street to permit the construction of a 0.6 metre high retaining wall on the Nepean Street and Lisgar Street frontages.

CARRIED