Committee directs staff to develop a Heritage Conservation District Study for the Beaverbrook area

The Built Heritage Committee today directed staff to undertake a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) study and prepare an HCD plan for Kanata’s Beaverbrook neighbourhood.

To qualify as an HCD, at least 25 per cent of all properties in an area must meet at least two of the nine criteria for designation. A feasibility assessment of Beaverbrook shows the neighbourhood has the potential to meet or exceed that threshold in four of the criteria. It also has a high concentration of properties that will likely meet the test for designation.

Beaverbrook is Kanata’s original neighbourhood and was established by developer Bill Teron in the early 1960s. Teron’s plan for Kanata was based in part on the vision for satellite cities set out in the Gréber Plan. Teron envisioned a self-contained satellite city at the edge of the greenbelt providing residents with everything they would need, including shopping, medical and civic services, employment, education and recreation.

Construction dates in Beaverbrook generally range from 1964 to 1971, with properties featuring one or two storey single detached houses designed with a variety of roof types, including flat, mansard, side gable, hip and mixed-form roofs. Most buildings were designed in a particular mid-century modern style that is characteristic of other subdivisions Teron built and designed throughout Ottawa.

The Beaverbrook study reflects longstanding community interest in heritage conservation, with the majority of survey respondents supporting local heritage protection, along with ongoing engagement with the local community association and the Ward Councillor’s office.

The Committee approved an addition for Elmwood School at 231 Buena Vista Road. The addition will include a new front entrance court and lobby, a multi-purpose performing arts centre and gymnasium, athletics rooms, change rooms, offices and four new classrooms. The school is a contributing property within the Rockcliffe Park Heritage Conservation District. The proposed addition is designed to complement the existing building and does not take away from the heritage character of the area.

City Council will consider the recommendations from today’s meeting on Wednesday, January 28.