Committee approves changes to advance new Riverside South community centre, library and park

The Planning and Housing Committee today approved changes to advance the new Riverside South Community Centre and Library

The Planning and Housing Committee today approved changes to advance the new Riverside South Community Centre and Library, bringing residents closer to a new community space, library and park. 

The Official Plan and zoning amendments will allow for a shorter, more pedestrian-scaled building, and allow it to be set back farther from the road. The changes will result in a building that better fits the community and is more welcoming for people walking, cycling and gathering nearby. The changes will enable:

• wider sidewalks
• new trees and raised planters
• additional seating areas
• bike parking

The project also includes a new 10.9-hectare park that will provide space for recreation, community events and everyday gathering in the heart of the Riverside South Town Centre.

Committee moves to increase parking options near transit hubs

In July, Council approved the Transportation and Mobility Strategy and Action Plan with measures to give residents more parking options near transit hubs and help keep Ottawa moving as travel patterns change this fall. One measure would temporarily allow some places of worship to lease unused parking spaces to the public.

The Committee approved that amendment today for places of worship with existing parking lots in the downtown core or within 600 metres of a rapid transit station. The change would create additional parking options and help some commuters connect to transit instead of driving their entire trip.

The amendment would also allow select City-owned facilities near transit hubs to offer parking. At the following facilities, the City will assess how many spaces can be leased to commuters while ensuring enough remain for those visiting each facility:

• Pinecrest Recreational Complex (2250 Torquay Avenue), near Baseline Station
• Sandy Hill Arena (50 and 60 Mann Avenue), near uOttawa Station and Lees Station
• Trillium Recreation Complex (2030 Ogilvie Road), near Blair Station
• Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex (1490 Youville Drive), near Jeanne d’Arc Station
• Jim Durrell Recreation Complex (1265 Walkley Road), near Walkley Station
• Brewer Park Complex (196A Hopewell Avenue, 100 and 151 Brewer Way), near Carleton Station

These temporary measures will remain in place until March 31, 2027. Before then, Council will review the results and decide whether to continue, change or end the program.

It is important to note that not every eligible place of worship may choose to offer public parking. Property owners can decide whether to participate and drivers must have permission to park on private property. Parking without permission is trespassing.

Changes approved to support housing in Alta Vista

The Committee approved Official Plan and zoning amendments that would support new housing on Alta Vista Drive north of Smyth Road. The changes would allow a new nine-storey building with 379 homes, including 135 larger two- and three-bedroom units. 

The amendment is needed to increase the permitted height from four to nine storeys, helping add more homes in an area where residents can access services, recreation and transit nearby. 

How Ottawa is tracking progress on new housing 

City Council has committed to helping address the housing crisis by supporting the construction of 151,000 quality market homes by 2031. The City tracks the progress of residential development in Ottawa and shares that data through an interactive housing approvals dashboard.

Tracking began in January 2023, and between that time and the end of 2025, Council has provided land-use approvals for more than 69,600 new homes. This means about 46 per cent of the homes needed to meet the 2031 goal can now be built. If Council approves the land-use permissions that the Committee recommended today, applicants will be able to seek building permits or further approvals to build another 379 new homes. Since the start of 2026, it is estimated this Committee has facilitated the development of nearly 2,950 new homes.

City Council will consider the recommendations from today’s meeting on Wednesday, August 26.