City council approves zoning changes to turn heritage buildings into high-rise

In the year’s first council meeting, the city approved a plan to turn three heritage buildings into a new 27-storey high rise.

The properties located on Kent and MacLaren streets are set to become a 289-unit, 27-storey building within the Centretown Heritage Conservation District. The buildings being altered are at 359 Kent Street, 436 and 444 MacLaren Streets.

Ottawa’s Built Heritage Committee first approved the plan on Jan. 16.

Council said the change would also prohibit surface parking, increase required bike parking and establish a schedule of permitted heights and setbacks.

The five-storey heritage property at Kent and Gilmour streets — known as ‘Legion House’ — will be dismantled and rebuilt on the same site.

Council also approved several heritage designations. These include:

• The church at 415 Kenwood Avenue
• Bible House at 315 Lisgar Street
• Southminister United Church at 1040 Bank Street
• The former W.C. Edwards and Company building at 290 City Centre Avenue
• The Westboro Masonic Temple at 430 Churchill Avenue North

The city is expecting more designations this year thanks to changes to the Ontario Heritage Act.

Before the deal is finalized, the applicant still has to submit a site plan application. This is to ensure they deliver promised public space, use sustainable building methods and have the design reviewed by a panel.