Controversial Carling development one step closer to getting built.

Good morning!

I’d like to first thank all of you who emailed me to send well wishes about my mom. It was much appreciated! I’d like to point out a typo I made in the last newsletter. The Barrhaven train and bus collision happened 10 years ago, not 19 as was stated. I apologise for the typo.

• A controversial residential development on Carling has got the green light by Ottawa’s planning committee for a second time. There are deep concerns that if built, shadows could impact research at the Central Experimental Farm across the street.

• And it’s Opposite Day. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has reversed his plan to build on Greenbelt land, apologising to residents of the province for fast tracking the process.

— Charlie Senack [email protected]

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Weather Report

Friday: 23 🌡️ 11 | ☀️

Saturday: 23 🌡️ 11 | ⛅️

Sunday: 21 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️

Monday: 19 🌡️ 9 | 🌤️

CITY HALL

Planning committee green lights controversial Carling development for second time

What happened: On Aug, 16, Ottawa’s planning committee approved plans for Taggart Realty Management to build two towers at 1081 Carling Ave, where an eight-storey medical building currently stands. The proposed 16- and 27-storey residential units are aimed at helping Ottawa’s housing crisis, with 340 rental apartments as part of the plan, according to the Kitchissippi Times. 

The matter was then supposed to go before Ottawa city council, but the file never made it there after it was revealed Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, alongside the National Capital Commission, weren’t invited. So it had to go back to the planning committee.

• “To ensure the integrity of the process, City Council are being asked to pass a motion to have the item return to the Planning and Housing Committee along with the provision of a new Notice and publication of the staff report to ensure that proper notification takes place in accordance with the Planning Act,” wrote Don Herweyer, the city’s Interim General Manager of Planning.

When the matter went before planning committee again on Wednesday, the file was approved again, but not without more pushback regarding potential concerns.

Protecting the farm: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said shadows from the buildings would cast deep into the farm toward sunset, therefore interfering with flowering and photosynthesis. A detailed study said the roughly 28 hectares of land in question would lose about 70 days of sunlight per year.

A greenhouse located near the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Building would also lose light because of the shadows. The impacted fields grow special varieties of wheat, soybeans, barley, corn and oats. The research conducted helps scientists better understand the risks of climate change and the effects drought has on crops.

• "If you do allow this development to go ahead as is, you should know that millions of dollars and decades of long term research will be compromised," said Stefanie Beck, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, according to CTV. 

Potential legal action: Federal officials said if the development is approved and then built, they would consider pursuing legal action for any lost revenue.

• “We are hoping not to have to take any such action, but we are losing access to research facilities that cost millions of dollars. If we’re being asked to mitigate, there’s a cost to that,” said Beck, according to the Ottawa Business Journal.

Next steps: If the file is approved by city council in a few weeks time, either Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada or the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association would file an appeal with the Ontario Lands Tribunal. That is a costly and timely process, which Kitchissippi councillor Jeff Leiper believes would not change the outcome. The community association has confirmed to The Lookout they are unsure what their next steps will be.

BY THE NUMBERS

🥵 35: The number of hot sauce makers at the Heating Up The Capital event. [Ottawa Business Journal]

🏡 $25,000: Tax relief for a two-bedroom apartment valued at $500,000. The new legislation announced earlier this month aims to address the housing crisis and affordability crunch. [Ottawa Business Journal]

🏍️ 3: The age of a viral BMX racer who is amazing fans all across the world with his skills. [CTV]

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QUEENS PARK

Doug Ford reverses tune on Ontario’s Greenbelt

The concern: Last year 7,400 acres of land was removed from the Greenbelt by the provincial government. It came from a dozen sections and would allow for 50,000 homes to be built in what was protected land.

Auditor general reports found that the process was rushed.

Reversing course: It’s a decision that was long hoped for, but some thought would never come. Ontario Premier Doug Ford admitted he made a mistake removing portions of land from the Greenbelt to be used for development.

At a press conference on Thursday with his entire PC caucus in tow, Ford was blunt with his apology.

• “I made a promise to you that I wouldn’t touch the Greenbelt. I broke that promise and for that, I’m very, very sorry,” Ford said, according to the Ottawa Citizen.

Ford acknowledged it was a mistake to open the Greenbelt; a mistake to move so fast; and a mistake which allowed developers to benefit from others.

• “It caused people to question our motives. As a first step to earn back your trust, I’ll be reversing the changes we made and won’t make any changes to the Greenbelt in the future,” he said.

Resignations: The file has long been a topic at Queen’s Park with many questioning the government's motives for the past year. Earlier this month, Steve Clarke resigned as housing minister after the integrity commissioner investigated his conduct. [CBC]

• “Although my initial thought was that I could stay in this role and establish a proper process so that these mistakes don't happen again, I realize that my presence will only cause a further distraction from the important work that needs to be done and that I need to take accountability for what has transpired," Clark wrote in a Twitter post at the time.

Ryan Amato, who was Clark’s chief of staff, also resigned.

Earlier this week, Kaleed Rasheed resigned from his role as Ontario's minister of public and business service delivery, after a questionable trip to Las Vegas with a developer came to light. The integrity commissioner's reporter said there was “potential relevance” to the allegations, according to CP24.

THE AGENDA

🚌 OC Transpo drivers are back to wearing their uniforms after the union agreed to meet with the transportation authority over a ‘multitude of issues’. [CTV]

🇺🇦 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be in Ottawa on Friday, where he will address Parliament. [CTV]

🏫 Rick Despatie, an ex-Ottawa teacher, has been found guilty on 11 of 20 charges related to crimes against students. All victims were under the age of 16. [CBC]

🚘 The driver in a fatal east-end collision has been charged with impaired driving. Shallen McKay is facing two charges of impaired operation causing death, two charges of dangerous operation causing death, as well as operation while prohibited, breach of probation and taking a motor vehicle without consent. [CBC]

🏒 Michael Andlauer is expected to be officially introduced as the new owner of the Ottawa Senators on Friday. He will have paid the highest price ever for a National Hockey League team, with a price of $950 million USD. [Ottawa Citizen]

👮🏼‍♀️ Ottawa Police Service has confirmed that five people were arrested during the '1 Million March 4 Children' protest. Three arrests were made for public incitement of hatred, one for assault, and one for obstructing police. [CityNews]

EVENTS

Arts

🖼️ Art Lending of Ottawa Art Show, Saturday: Art for sale or rent by 73 local artists with art for sale in oils, acrylics, watercolours, mixed media, encaustics, ink, pastels, photo-based art, printmaking and mosaics. At the RA Centre 2451 Riverside Dr. Free. 

Music

🎤 Lina Allemano Tour, Friday: Adventurous chamber-jazz quartet based in Toronto and Berlin plays trumpeter Lina Allemano’s original music. At theFourth Stage, 1 Elgin St. Tickets are $15. 

🎵 The Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Sunday: A lively show featuring the induction into the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame of Jack McRae, Rick Rogers, Dan Loyer and Andy Schick. At the Meridian Theatres, 101 Centrepointe Dr, Ottawa. Tickets are $50. 

Market

🍁 Fall Market, Sunday: Embrace the vibrant colours and crisp air of fall at our beloved local market, a seasonal celebration that unites the community! At the Shenkman Art Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd. Free.

🥕 Lansdowne Outdoor Market, Sunday: Support local at the Ottawa Farmers' Market. At Lansdowne’s Aberdeen Square, 1525 Princess Patricia Way. Free.

🍎 Barrhaven Market, Sunday: Find the best fresh produce, baked goods, pantry staples, hot meals and more from 10+ friendly producers in the Ottawa region. At the Nepean Woods park and ride on Strandherd. Free. 

Other

🎙️ Shireen Abu Akleh Social Justice Journalism Award, Friday: A tribute concert event to launch a new Carleton University award honouring the legacy of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. At the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper Street. Tickets are $10-$25. 

🎡 Taste of Wellington West, Saturday: Come over to Hintonburg Park for a Food Festival that satisfies! Featuring dozens of food and item vendors local to Hintonburg and Wellington Village. Shop deals, enjoy free entertainment, and try samples! See side bar for pricing. On Wellington Street West. Free.

🍱 A Taste of Manotick, Saturday: Local businesses will line Manotick Main Street to showcase what the village to offer, including plenty of local vendors. There will be tasting, samples, draws, and demonstrations. At 5556 Manotick Main Street. Free.

🐈 Ottawa Cat Show, Saturday: Come and see stunning purebred cats like the Maine Coon, Siberian, Cornish Rex, and Bengal as well as the beautiful household pets. At the Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave. Tickets $5-$10.

🐈 Ottawa Cat Show, Sept. 23-24, 9 am-4:30 pm: Come see stunning cats, shop from a variety of vendors, listen to a presentation. At the Nepean Sportsplex. Tickets $10 adult, $5 seniors/children, $25 family. Learn more today.*

*Sponsored content

FOOD UPDATE

What happened this week in food

🇰🇷 Insiders: Are you someone who has a craving for Korean food? Here are some of the top spots in Ottawa to fuel your appetite.

🍲 Want to explore Ottawa’s only Burmese restaurant? This hole in the wall joint is one of a kind.

🍣 Insiders: If you’re in Kanata and looking for a place to grab some Sushi, this take-out and dine-in restaurant offers good fish in experienced hands.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The City of Ottawa is looking to step up its sidewalk game and Barrhaven is about to become ground zero. [CBC]

• The Barrhaven BIA has partnered with the United Way. They are raising money for back-to-school supplies for youth living in vulnerable areas in the region. [Barrhaven Independent]

• The Gladstone Theatre has launched a full lineup for their upcoming 2023-2024 season [Kitchissippi Times]

• A Kinburn entrepreneur sells gourmet mushrooms with medicinal benefits. [Ottawa Business Journal]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Contact our partnership team for more info.

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COMMUNITY PHOTO

Mike Carroccetto shared this photo with us of Hot 89.9’s wedding shower event for Brady Jones and Sarah Blanche.

Do you have a photo you’d like to share with the Lookout community? Send it in!

WORDLE

Think you can guess this week’s Ottawa Worlde? Play now.