Andrew Caddell’s recent criticisms in the (April) Mainstreeter of Regional Group’s plans for the Oblate property require a rebuttal. Regional Group has worked well with community representatives and the community at-large. What Regional submitted to the city adhered to the much-discussed and consulted-upon Old Ottawa East community design plan and responded well to Sustainable Living Ottawa East’s Deep Green initiative. Just cast your eyes to the other side of the river or elsewhere in the city to see the sort of tower-dominated, treeless landscapes that many other developers would have tried to build in Old Ottawa East.
It’s worth noting that there are several aspects of Regional’s plan that are superior to what was proposed within the CDP. Among these are extending Hazel Street so that it provides a second major entrance to the development from Main Street; shifting of the medium-rise buildings from overlooking Brantwood Park to more in the centre of the site, making the Grande Allée as a park rather than a standard roadway; and having four-storey condos – rather than the originally proposed six – flanking the Deschatelets residence.
The city, community representatives and Regional have had many productive meetings about most of the issues Mr. Caddell raises and many others. We worked very hard on the CDP and the developer is respecting it.
John Dance
President, OOECA
