By Stephanie Lewis
For the first time in three months of public consultation meetings on proposed Centretown developments by Ashcroft Homes, David Choo, company president, defensively stood up and addressed the public himself.
Ashcroft’s development plans were put to the test during an explosive meeting last week that concentrated on the company’s latest acquisition, the old Canadian National Institute for the Blind building at 320 MacLeod.
“When you originally bought the property, were the numbers crunched under the assumption that you would be building a 20-storey building?” asked Dan Mullaly, a Centretown resident.
With little explanation about numbers of units and land-uses from Dennis Gratton, the company’s spokesperson, Mullaly reworded the question to make sure it was clear for everyone present.
“You purchased the building under the assumption that the change in zoning was going to be permitted?”
The current zoning allows for a maximum building height of 18m or six storeys.
The CNIB building is the second attempt by Ashcroft to build a complex in Centretown that is over twice the height that current zoning allows. The other is on Gilmour Street.
“The more important issue is whether or not it is appropriate,” said Choo.
“We believe that this is the right proposal for that site.”.
Choo repeatedly used the phrase ‘That’s not the issue’ to avoid answering the public’s questions over the course of the meeting.
Choo’s fielding of questions, or lack thereof, wasn’t the only first at theTuesday night meeting.
Despite overwhelming public opposition, someone stood up and openly voiced support for Ashcroft.
“I think it’s a beautiful building,” said Pierre Amelotte, a local resident and businessman. “Keep the spirit up!”
He said the community doesn’t understand the positive social and economic impact the building will have.
The new building will bring lots of money into the Centretown area , he added – a feat which would be difficult to achieve on such a large scale otherwise.
Another member of the community did raise a positive social aspect of the proposals
“I’d like to thank the developer for rekindling community interest in development,” said Robert Smythe, the Centretown Citizens Community Association chairperson of planning and development.
However, Smythe does not agree with the proposed plan.
“It would be better to have development in 1,000 smaller buildings than in these two large ones.”
Somerset Ward Coun. Elisabeth Arnold, who moderated the meeting, agrees.
She is in favour of making use of underdeveloped properties as long as it is compatible with the existing neighbourhood.
“I’m really disappointed that they’ve come back with a proposal that requires an amendment to the official plan,” said Arnold.
“I think it’s the right direction but it still doesn’t meet my goal, which is to have development that is respectful of the Centretown Plan.”
Ashcroft has built other buildings in Ottawa that are within the height limitations of the heritage neighbourhood, including a six-storey building in the Glebe.
While Gratton admits this is true, he says that such small-scale development is not possible on the sites in question.
“The examples given are of completely different sites with completely different uses.”
Regardless of the reasons, Ashcroft’s isn’t getting much sympathy from local residents.
“You knew the zoning in this building before you bought it,” said local resident Brant Thompson.
“If you can’t find a financially viable way of developing the site at three or four storeys, then sell it to a developer who will.”