A proposal to add more than 200 rental apartments to a Carlington property is making its way through Ottawa’s planning process.
Homestead Land Holdings Ltd. has submitted a zoning amendment application to allow the construction of a 20-storey residential tower at 1316 Carling Ave. and 1251 Thames St., just west of Merivale Road and across from the former Westgate Shopping Centre.
The project would be built behind an existing 21-storey apartment building on the 0.85-hectare site and would replace a large surface parking lot with a new residential tower containing 201 units that would be a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and two-bedroom-plus-den suites.
According to planning documents filed with the City of Ottawa, the building would step down from 20 storeys to nine and then four storeys as it approaches Thames Street, creating a transition to the surrounding low-rise neighbourhood. A new municipal park is also planned along the southern edge of the property.
The proposal includes a pedestrian pathway linking Thames Street and Carling Avenue, additional landscaped open space and new tree plantings. Residents would have access to indoor and outdoor amenities, including a 10th-floor terrace, party room and landscaped communal space beside the proposed park.
The developer is proposing 377 underground parking spaces, including 208 spaces for residents of the new tower and 169 replacement spaces for the existing apartment building. The plans also include 19 visitor parking spaces and 216 bicycle parking spaces.
The developer argues the proposal supports Ottawa’s intensification goals by replacing an underused parking lot with housing along a major transit corridor. Carling Avenue is identified in city planning documents as a future light-rail transit corridor and is already served by frequent bus routes.
The application is currently under review by city staff. Public comments will be accepted until June 8, and the proposal is expected to be considered by the planning and housing committee on Aug. 19.
