Kristy’s tower plan a tough swallow for neighbouring ward
Coun. Leiper says 24-storey highrise on Richmond Road needs to ‘inspire’
Development applications to build tall, densely populated buildings near future LRT stations are virtually slam dunks at city hall, but one councillor is challenging a property owner to “inspire” through the design of a tower on Richmond Road.
The owner of Kristy’s Restaurant on Tuesday will seek the planning committee’s permission for a 24-storey mixed-use complex at 809 Richmond Rd. The proposal is different from the original one filed last year, when the restaurant was proposing two 16-storey towers.
The proposed development isn’t in Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper’s ward — it’s in the ward of Bay Coun. Mark Taylor, who’s in favour of the plan — but it’s right up against Kitchissippi’s westernmost ward boundary.
Leiper opposes the development application and believes previous iterations reflected what the community wants in building heights.
At the same time, he’s calling on the new building to look snazzier than it appears in the preliminary drawings.
“If council determines to approve this proposal at 24 storeys, it must absolutely be on the basis of design excellence that I don’t consider this building demonstrates,” Leiper writes in his comments on the staff report going to planning committee. “It is not a poorly designed building, but it fails to inspire. Council should insist, if it wishes to approve the proposed height, on better.”
Jamie Boyce, speaking for the property ownership, said Leiper is making a “great suggestion” and noted there will be detailed designs as the planning work continues.
Boyce would like something that reflects the Continental building just east of the property.
“We’re going to build something of quality and continue to be a neighbour in the community,” Boyce said.
The concept hasn’t yet gone through a formal analysis by the city’s urban design review panel, which is made up of local and non-Ottawa architects.
The property isn’t at a major intersection or community gateway, which in the past has been one of the prerequisites for a mandatory dashing building design.
(The most memorable design debate by politicians was when the planning committee wrangled over a “wow” factor for a Wellington St. West condo concept).
The design for the proposed complex at the Kristy’s property reflects the podium-and-tower concept that has become the go-to for the highrise development community. There would be a podium of up to five storeys, with the tower inset on top of the base. There would be commercial space and rental apartments in the complex.
While the community is nervous about the height of the tower, city planning staff point out the 24 storeys would be on the eastern portion of site, away from the neighbouring community to the west.
As part of Stage 2 LRT, a station will be built at Cleary Avenue, about 200 metres from Kristy’s Restaurant. Since the property would be a short stroll from the future Cleary station, planners believe it’s a good location for a tall building.
The current Kristy’s building would be demolished to make way for the project. The owner plans to reopen the restaurant in the new development.
Boyce said the construction schedule will depend on the LRT work and construction along Richmond Road.
The substantive work on Stage 2 LRT begins in 2019.