CHATEAU STUNNER
Bid for variance rejected
The controversial addition to the Château Laurier is suddenly in limbo after the city’s committee of adjustment rejected the hotel owner’s request for a minor variance.
In a written decision issued Friday, the city’s committee of adjustment rejected Larco Investments’ request for a variance that would have allowed the firm to break ground on its seven-storey, 147room addition to the historic hotel.
In rejecting the request, the five-member committee said the variance was not minor in nature.
“The committee is of the opinion that the approval of (the) variance would allow for a new build that does not respect the landscape and character of the heritage features of the historic properties that surround the site, specifically those of the Rideau Canal, Major’s Hill Park and the Parliamentary Precinct, in contravention of the policies currently in place for compatible design and protection of views to these sites.”
The committee’s decision slams the brakes on the Château addition.
“It’s a big win for us: for Heritage Ottawa, for the Château Laurier and for the community,” said Coun. Mathieu Fleury, a leading opponent of the proposed addition. “Basically, it does not allow the project to proceed: That’s the win. It basically stops it.”
The hotel owner can now appeal the committee’s decision to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, resubmit a new application to the city or abandon the proposal.
Committee of adjustment decisions do not come back to the planning committee or city council. The committee — made up of appointed members — normally deals with minor issues related to building permits.
“Here, they did not feel this application was minor in nature,” said Fleury, who expressed satisfaction with the committee’s decision.
“We don’t have an issue with the seven-storey addition. What we have an issue with is the compatibility of the shapes and materials with this iconic building.”
Larco, which already has heritage and site-plan approvals from council, asked the committee of adjustment for permission to have a reduced rear-yard setback to follow through with its seven-storey vision for the hotel expansion.
The city supported Larco’s application.
Opened in 1912, the Château was owned by Canadian National Railway, a Crown corporation, between 1923 and 1988, when it was sold to Canadian Pacific Hotels, a private company. Capital Hotel Ltd., a subsidiary of Larco Investments, bought the historic property in 2013.
In July, city council decided to allow the owners of the Château to build a boxy addition, which has drawn widespread condemnation for its design.
Critics say the imposing addition, built on the site of the former parking garage, would be incompatible with the “romantic spirit” of the Château and would spoil views of the picturesque hotel from Major’s Hill Park.