Next phase approved for East Flats

Ottawa's planning committee has unanimously approved a controversial proposal to expand Claridge Homes' East Flats development.

Claridge has already built two condo buildings on the proposed LeBreton Flats site, one at eight-storeys, the other at 13 storeys.

“The scale of this proposal is just overwhelming,” said Ed McKenna, who lives in the building and is opposed to the Claridge expansion.

McKenna said he and his neighbours had initially been in favour of the intensification, expecting the buildings to be constructed at the same height of the current high-rises.

The developer promised affordable rental units, as well as retail space which will include a grocery store. 

Claridge Homes had initially proposed the highest tower at 55 storeys, but the City's Urban Design Panel put a halt to that thought. Claridge agreed to drop to 45 storeys.

The developer plans to increase the height of the two towers already built there, as well as building three more towers. 

Their plans are to have one tower at 45 storeys, two at 30 storeys, and two buildings at 25 storeys.

The planning committee put their stamp of approval on the proposal, but it must now go through City Council at its next meeting, scheduled for July 11, 2018.