Deal will allow NCC to build embassy row in Mechanicsville
A row of embassies will soon be built in Ottawa's Mechanicsville neighbourhood.
Ottawa council approved a settlement with the National Capital Commission to allow the crown corporation to use green space near the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway for new embassies.
According to a motion approved by council, the future embassy site will have no more than "five principal buildings", parking will be encouraged to be built underground but surface parking will be allowed if its concealed by, or within, buildings, and there will be a new pedestrian corridor.
Under the deal, 24 per cent of the site will remain as greenspace, according to the Mechanicsville Community Association.
The settlement between the NCC, the city of Ottawa and the Mechanicsville Community Association ends more than three years of debate over the proposed Embassy Row in Mechanicsville.
The city's planning committee approved rezoning in 2021 for the proposed embassy zone, but council rejected the rezoning application. The NCC filed an appeal with the Ontario Land Tribunal, arguing council didn't follow provincial planning rules for the area.
Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper told council there will be some "significant disappointment" in the Mechanicsville community over the settlement, but asked council to endorse the settlement.
"I believe it is the most prudent way forward and there are a number of significant gains for the community that I think I can celebrate, including the creation of a much larger park space than the NCC had proposed and some significant new active transportation infrastructure," Leiper said.
In a statement, the Mechanicsville Community Association confirmed it signed an out-of-court agreement for a settlement on the 3.7-hectare piece of land for the embassy precinct.
"We are pleased to see that the NCC is respecting our community’s desire to keep the greenspace north of LaRoche Park as parkland," MCA president Lorrie Marlow said.
"The principles of settlement are in line with the parkland vision set out in 2014 when we develop and endorsed the Scott Street Community Design Plan."
The association says the agreement comes after more than a month of "intense negotiations" with the NCC, and the May 1 tribunal hearing will be cancelled
"Communities like ours are cash-strapped and having to raise $40,000 or more to pay lawyers and experts is a big burden on our working-class residents," Marlow said.
It's not known what countries will occupy the new embassies.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.