Report to/Rapport au :

 

Planning and Environment Committee

Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement

 

and Council / et au Conseil

 

25 February 2010 / le 25 février 2010

 

Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/Directrice municipale adjointe,

Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability/Services d’infrastructure et Viabilité des collectivités

 

Contact Person/Personne-ressource : Michael Wildman, Manager/Gestionnaire, Development Review-Suburban Services/Examen des projets d'aménagement-Services suburbains, Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance

(613) 580-2424, 27811  Mike.Wildman@ottawa.ca

 

Knoxdale-Merivale (9)

Ref N°: ACS2010-ICS-PGM-0056

 

 

SUBJECT:

ZONING - 1105 Normandy Crescent (FILE NO. D02-02-09-0099)

 

 

OBJET :

ZONAGE - 1105, croissant normandy

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council approve an amendment to the Zoning By-law 2008-250 to change the zoning of 1105 Normandy Crescent from R1FF, Residential First Density Zone to R2M [xxx] S xxx, Residential Second Density Exception Zone, as shown on Document 1, and as detailed in Documents 2 and 3.

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité de  recommande au Conseil d’approuver une modification au Règlement de zonage no 2008-250 afin de changer le zonage de la propriété située au 1105, croissant Normandy, de R1FF, Zone résidentielle de densité 1, à R2M [xxx] S xxx, Zone résidentielle de densité 2, assortie d’une exception, comme le montre le document 1 et l’expliquent les documents 2 et 3.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The subject property is located west of Fisher Avenue where Normandy Crescent and Inverness Avenue intersect.  Currently the site is occupied by a single detached dwelling on what is a through corner lot having frontages on Normandy Crescent and Inverness Avenue. 

The property is accessed from Normandy Crescent and is orientated towards that street.  The property has a frontage of 27.43 metre on Normandy Crescent and a 47.40 metre frontage on Inverness Avenue.  The lot depth varies from 22.177 metres to 54.199 metres with an approximate lot area of 1144 square metres.  The property is vegetated with trees along Inverness Avenue.  This vegetation extends eastward 37 metres into an untravelled triangular portion of the right-of-way where Inverness Avenue and Normandy Crescent intersect. 

 

The surrounding area primarily consists of detached dwellings zoned R1FF interspersed with lands zoned R2M, developed with detached or semi-detached buildings.  In addition, there are a number of institutional uses peripheral to the neighbourhood on the west side of Fisher Avenue.  Fisher Avenue is designated as an arterial roadway and is approximately 145 metres from the subject property. 

 

Generally the neighbourhood known as Carleton Heights, which is bounded by Fisher Avenue to the east, Wigan Drive to the north, Benson Street to the west and Argue Drive to the south, can be characterized as an area undergoing a degree of transformation due to the existence of a significant number of oversized lots within the area.  The regular shaped lots have an average width of as much as 28 metres in width by 80 metres in depth.  Two trends seem to be occurring since the establishment of the original neighbourhood.  The oversized lots have been severed into two or three lots while still maintaining the minimum lot width and area of the R1FF zoning.  The second trend is for properties to be rezoned to a R2M zone designation and subsequently severed. 

 

Existing Zoning

 

Currently the subject property is zone R1FF, which is a Residential First Density Zone designation.  This zone restricts development to a detached dwelling building form.  In addition to a detached dwelling, this zone designation conditionally permits a diplomatic mission, group home, home-based business, community garden, converted retirement home and a secondary dwelling.

 

Proposed Zoning

 

The applicant proposes to rezone the property to R2M, with an exception to accommodate the property’s redevelopment.  The proposed redevelopment will consist of a semi-detached dwelling and a detached dwelling that will be severed at a future date.  In addition to those uses permitted in the R1FFzone, the R2M zone designation permits a linked-detached dwelling, semi-detached dwelling and a park.  The zoning exception is to accommodate reductions in the minimum side and rear yard building setback requirements as detailed Document 3 and an increase to the building height limit.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Provincial Policy Statement

 

The Provincial Policy Statement provides policy direction on matters of Provincial Interest related to land-use planning and development by promoting efficient land use patterns that support development of viable liveable communities. 

Contained within the policy statement is an explicit policy objective to promote opportunities for intensification and redevelopment where there is the availability of suitable existing or planned infrastructure to accommodate projected needs for intensification.

 

In this circumstance there exists an opportunity to redevelop an existing underutilized parcel of land.  The applicant is proposing demolition of an existing older one-storey bungalow and constructing three new dwelling units comprised of two, two-storey semi-detached dwellings and a one-storey detached dwelling that can be accommodated on existing services.  This modest proposal for intensification is consistent with the Province’s policy objectives for intensification.

 

Official Plan

 

The Official Plan designates this property as General Urban Area on Schedule “B”.  This designation permits a full range and choice of housing types to meet the needs of all ages, incomes and life circumstances.  It also permits conveniently located employment, retail, service, cultural, leisure, entertainment and institutional uses with the goal to attain complete and sustainable communities. 

 

In terms of this proposal, the introduction of semi-detached dwellings adds more choices for housing types.  The proposed rezoning is also consistent within this area as there exists numerous R2M zone designations where semi-detached units have been constructed.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Official Plan also contains the following policies to guide in determining the appropriateness of intensification proposals.

 

Managing Growth

 

The majority of growth in housing is to be accommodated within areas designated within the Urban Boundary where there exists land that is serviced with major roads, transit and piped sewer and water services.

 

To ensure that land uses are appropriate where proposed, the Official Plan contains additional polices indicating that development should form an integral part of the community and be compatible with surrounding neighbourhood uses.  To achieve this, the amendments to the Zoning By-law will regulate the location, scale and type of land uses.  The Strategic Directions Section of the Official Plan provides direction to create liveable communities that have a balance of housing forms.

 

Building Massing and Height

 

Over time, this neighbourhood has undergone redevelopment in numerous forms.  This has resulted in changes from its originally established neighbourhood character, which primarily consisted of single-storey detached dwellings.  One particular trend is the redevelopment of existing lots with higher density housing or the severing of these lots into two to three lots.  The redevelopment trend for these existing or newly established lots is the construction of two-storey detached dwellings having a significantly larger building footprints, resulting in detached dwellings of significantly greater massing compared to the existing housing stock.  By contrast, the proposed zoning amendment will enable redevelopment in a more compact form with a smaller building mass. This alternative building form can be viewed as being a more compatible building option that is more sensitive and better blends in with the original built form of the neighbourhood.  With respect to a moderate increase to the height limit from 9.5 metres to 10.5 metres, the height increase is considered to be minor due to the compact building form being proposed.  The overall building mass, including height, and roof treatment, would be considerably less than what is currently occurring with the more recently established two-storey detached building stock.

 

Compatibility

 

It is generally recognized that infill intensification may not be similar in use and size with adjacent uses. However, in order to achieve the Official Plan’s strategic directions for managing growth, other considerations may apply, such as intensification occurring with proximity of major roads or on the periphery of established neighbourhoods. In this case, an increase in height and density may be appropriate. 

 

For this particular zoning application, the property under consideration is within 145 metres of an arterial roadway.  Along this arterial roadway there is a mix of institutional and medium density residential uses to the north.  This forms the edge for the lower density neighbourhood to the west.  It is therefore appropriate in this circumstance to establish transitional residential housing forms of moderate increases in density.  This is further supported by the existence of a semi-detached dwelling on the southwest side of Normandy Crescent, opposite to 1105 Normandy Crescent.  There are also examples of semi-detached development occurring throughout the Carleton Heights community. 

 

With respect to the reductions in yard requirements, these reductions are seen as appropriate primarily due to the irregular shape of the lot where the average building setbacks along Inverness Avenue will exceed the minimum requirement.  The easterly reduction in the minimum building setback can be supported because it abuts a large triangular road allowance with is untraveled and vegetated.

 

In summary, staff are satisfied that the proposal to change the zoning to permit development of two semi-detached dwellings and a detached dwelling at 1105 Normandy Crescent is consistent with the policies of the Provincial Policy Statement and the Official Plan.  Therefore, the requested Zoning By-law amendment is recommended for approval.

 

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

CONSULTATION

 

Notice of this application was carried out in accordance with the City's Public Notification and Consultation Policy.  Details of the public consultation can be seen in Document 4.

 

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S)

 

The Ward Councillor is aware of this application.

 

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

 

If the recommendation is adopted and the matter is appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board, the hearing could be conducted with staff resources.  Should the recommendation not be adopted, reasons would have to be provided.  If the refusal is appealed, a hearing of an estimated two days duration would result and an outside planner will need to be retained at an estimated cost of $15,000 to $20,000.

 

CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

 

F-2  Respect the existing urban fabric, neighbourhood form and the limits of existing hard services, so that new growth is integrated seamlessly with established communities.

 

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE STATUS

 

The application was not processed by the "On Time Decision Date" established for the processing of Zoning By-law amendments due to additional public consultation and the complexity of the servicing issues raised by the public.

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1    Location Map

Document 2    Details of Recommended Zoning

Document 3    Schedule

Document 4    Consultation Details

 

DISPOSITION

 

City Clerk and Solicitor Department, Legislative Services to notify the owner, applicant, OttawaScene.com, 174 Colonnade Road, Unit #33, Ottawa, ON  K2E 7J5, Ghislain Lamarche, Program Manager, Assessment, Financial Services Branch (Mail Code:  26-76) of City Council’s decision.

 

Planning and Growth Management to prepare the implementing by-law, forward to Legal Services and undertake the statutory notification.

 

Legal Services to forward the implementing by-law to City Council.


LOCATION MAP                                                                                                DOCUMENT 1


DETAILS OF RECOMMENDED ZONING                                                    DOCUMENT 2

 

 

Proposed Changes to the Comprehensive Zoning By-law

 

The subject lands shown on Document 1 will be rezoned from R1FF, Residential First Density Zone, to R2M [xxx] Sxxx, a Residential Second Density Exception Zone with the following exception to be added to Section 239 - Urban Exceptions that will apply to the R2M [xxxx] zone:

 

1.         Tables 158 A and B shall not apply for a detached dwelling and the minimum building setback shall be provided in accordance with Sxxx; and

2.         The maximum building height for a residential shall be 10.5 metres.

 


SCHEDULE                                                                                                          DOCUMENT 3


CONSULTATION DETAILS                                                                             DOCUMENT 4

 

NOTIFICATION AND CONSULTATION PROCESS

 

Notification and public consultation was undertaken in accordance with the Public Notification and Public Consultation Policy approved by City Council for Zoning By-law amendments.  Public information meeting was held by Ward Councillor Gord Hunter on January 26, 2010 at the General Burns Community Building.  Comments made by the public during this meeting have been included the summary of public comments received through the public notification of this application.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

In support for the proposed zoning amendment:

 

           The proposal for two semi-detached dwellings and on detached dwelling is more in keeping with the community as opposed to recent redevelopment trend for monster housing within the area.

           A number of residents indicated they understood and supported the proposed exceptions to the zoning, in order to accommodate the development proposal.

           The development represents a moderate infill proposal and will fit in with the existing community, which presently includes a number of semi-detached dwellings.

           The proposal for semi-detached dwellings and a detached dwelling represents an appropriate fit within the community at this location.

           Support was expressed for two dwellings but not a third for reasons expressed below.

 

Not in support of the proposed zoning amendment:

 

Comment:

There are safety concerns regarding additional driveways approaching the blind intersection at Inverness Avenue and Normandy Crescent, which has been further compounded by over grown vegetation within triangular untraveled road allowance at this intersection.

 

Response:

            There are other driveways such as 3 and 5 Inverness Avenue and 114 and 116 Normandy Crescent, which are closer to the intersection of Normandy Crescent and Inverness Avenue.  Adding one more driveway on each road is not considered to significantly affect the sightlines/safety of the road.  In addition, residents indicated, at the pubic information meeting held on January 26, 2010, that the City has been called upon to trim the vegetation at this intersection to improve the corner sightlines.  City forces have been made aware of this concern.

 

Comment:

Concerns were expressed over additional traffic on Normandy Crescent resulting from this infill development proposal.

 

Response:

The resulting traffic from the proposed zoning change is negligible.

 

Comment:

The introduction of a semi-detached dwelling will result in front yard parking pads.

 

Response:

            The proposal presented one garage parking space and two side-by-side parking spaces in front, leaving an adequate amount of green space for the front yard.

 

Comment:

There was an objection to any zoning amendment that permits more that one dwelling per lot.

 

Response:

The Provincial Policy Statement and City of Ottawa Official Plan policies support intensification where appropriate, as outlined in the body of this report.

 

Comment:

Concerns were expressed that two additional dwelling units will over tax the sanitary sewer system.

 

Response:

The sanitary service connection for this infill development proposal will be from Normandy Crescent.  This sanitary sewer line was replaced in 1985 and has adequate capacity to accommodate this development proposal.

 

Comment:

There were concerns that the weeping tile system from the three dwellings will be connected to the sanitary sewer system or the additional stormwater runoff will be directed towards an over taxed drainage system of ditches within the neighbourhood.

 

Response:

Weeping tile systems are not permitted to be connected to the sanitary sewer.  With respect to the stormwater runoff, on-site drainage is permitted to sheet drain towards the street, however, the amount resulting from this development is considered to have a negligible impact on the capacity of the neighbouring ditches in handling stormwater flows.

 

Comment:

This zoning amendment will reduce property value and enjoyment of their property.

 

Response:

Changes in property values are not a criteria in applications under the Planning Act.

 

Comment:

There was one additional concern about the expressed capacity of utilities, such as hydro, bell and cable to accommodate the proposal, as well as the negative effects the proposal will have on snow clearing and street lighting.

 

Response

Staff has not received any comment from internal or internal technical agencies that would support these concerns.