By Megan Ion
Fami Savasta has been repairing cars on Gladstone Avenue for 23 years and says she’s not about to let a new next-door neighbour scare her away.
Claridge Homes, Ottawa’s second largest developer, is in the preliminary stages of building a high-rise apartment building on the corner of Kent Street and Gladstone Avenue.
The new plan is just the latest in a spate of developments to hit downtown Ottawa over the past year.
Claridge has proposed a nine-storey, 155-unit structure which would face Kent Street, Gladstone Avenue and Florence Street.
The proposal has already been met with opposition from residents who live near the site. Earlier this month about 25 local residents met with Claridge Homes and Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes to discuss their concerns.
Savasta worries about the negative impact the new building could have on her automotive repair shop located beside the proposed site.
“I would hate to see someone come in with a decibel meter and shut me down,” she says, referring to the amount of noise created by the mechanical equipment she needs to run her business. “Our whole business depends on noise — it’s our life.”
Savasta has already experienced considerable problems with people parking in the lot in from of her business, and worries that the number of guest parking spaces Claridge has proposed for the underground lot — a mere 12 spaces to go along with the proposed 90 regular spaces — will not suffice.
Height is another concern for many residents whose homes may be caught in the massive shade a nine-storey building would create.
The current zoning bylaw allows for a four or five-storey building with about 100 units.
The height is a special concern for Paul Couvrette, whose home on Florence Street relies on solar energy for heat in the winter.
“My concerns are obviously (that the developer) is going to cut the sun out of my building that is solar heated, and cut my children’s enjoyment of the back yard with a nine-storey monster,” said Couvrette after the meeting.
His photography business, Couvrette Studio, is located on Gladstone directly across from the site.
Couvrette says although his business would benefit from the new building, the point is not about making money.
“It’s about the enjoyment of life in Centretown which is why we moved here,” he said.
“I’m a business man so I’m all for the process of Mr. Malhotra [CEO of Claridge Homes] making money, but that’s not the point and I guess where I differ with him is the concept that you can’t make money at four to six-stories — I still think there’s money there.”
Couvrette admits he’s happy to see the corner cleaned up, but not at the expense of Centretown residents and businesses.
“I’m hoping the opposition doesn’t scare (the developer) away from the process because it would be nice to redevelop,” said Couvrette.
“By the same token, developers have to take into account residents’ concerns.”
Couvrette is very clear about one thing. If anyone blocks his sunlight, he will sue.
“I’ve already spoken to a lawyer and I will take it to the OMB and not only that I will actually sue anybody that approves it and anybody that builds it.”
Bill Malhotra says he’s willing to discuss a compromise though. In addition to the first proposal, Claridge architect Doug Hardie presented five alternate building designs at the meeting.
“We have indicated that we’re very willing to negotiate and we’re hoping that we come to some kind of compromise very soon,” says Malhotra.
“It’s a very important corner so we’re glad we have it and we want to develop it very tastefully and we want to make sure that it’s a gateway into the downtown.”
Holmes says she’d like to see the corner cleaned, saying that is why she’s agreed to put residents in touch with the developer. She says the proposed height for the building is too high but that she wants to work with Claridge towards a solution.
“We have residents who are going to be seriously affected by this development and who are concerned about the height of the project and the fact that it’s going to overshadow their properties,” says Holmes.
“Most people would like to see that garage developed, it’s been an eyesore and a problem in the area so they do want to see housing but we have to get to a position that people in the area can live with.”