UNIVERSITY OF
OTTAWA
STEM BUILDING
PLANNING RATIONALE
SITE PLAN CONTROL
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA STEM BUILDING
PLANNING RATIONALE
SITE PLAN CONTROL
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
PREPARED FOR:
PERKINS + WILL
485 BANK STREET, SUITE 204
OTTAWA, ON K2P 1Z2
CA.PERKINSWILL.COM
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA FACILITIES
141 LOUIS PASTEUR PRIVATE
OTTAWA, ON K1N 6N5
WWW.UOTTAWA.CA
PREPARED BY:
FOTENN CONSULTANTS
223 MCLEOD STREET
OTTAWA, ON K2P 0Z8
613.730.5709
223 McLeod Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 0Z8
613.730.5709
fotenn.com
Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Site Context ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Proposed Development ............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Les Yeux (James Boyd) ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Transportation Considerations ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Policy & Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Provincial Policy Statement (2014) .................................................................................................................................. 5
City of Ottawa Official Plan (2003, as amended) ...................................................................................................... 7
Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 150 ............................................................................................................................... 11
Transit-Oriented Development Guidelines................................................................................................................... 12
City of Ottawa Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2008-250 ................................................................................... 13
University of Ottawa Master Plan ....................................................................................................................................16
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
PLANNINGDESIGNLANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Introduction
FOTENN Consultants is pleased to submit this Planning Rationale in support of a Site Plan Control
application for a new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Complex at the
University of Ottawa. The new state-of-the-art building is required to meet future space demands for
these faculties and replace outdated and obsolete facilities. The STEM complex is envisioned to
include labs, classrooms, collaborative spaces, innovation spaces, and offices.
Funding has recently become available through the Federal Government for infrastructure projects
across Canada. The STEM Complex project has qualified for funding and the University is
endeavouring to meet the content and timeline requirements of the program.
In addition to this Planning Rationale, the following materials are also submitted for the Site Plan
Control application:

Site Plan;

Landscape Plan;

Tree Conservation Report;

Survey Plan;

Architectural Building Elevation Drawings;

Site Servicing Plan;

Development Servicing Study and Stormwater Management Report;

Stormwater Management Plan;

Grading and Erosion & Sediment Control Plan;

Geotechnical Study;

Noise / Vibration Study;

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment; and

Phase II Environmental Site Assessment.
Due to the constrained timeframe associated with this development, the submitted plans should be
considered preliminary and are based on the information and direction that is available at this point
in the design process.
Site Context
The site envisioned for the STEM Complex (the “subject site”) is located in the southwest portion of
the University of Ottawa campus on a parcel municipally known as 150-160 Louis Pasteur Private. As
illustrated on Figure 1, the subject site is situated at the south end of Louis Pasteur Private, directly
east of the Transitway corridor and Nicholas Street.
The subject site is currently developed with MacDonald Hall, the CUBE Building, and a surface
parking lot containing approximately 80 spaces. Marion Hall is located on the adjacent lot to the
north and Colonel By Hall is located south of the subject site.
The site is currently accessed by Louis Pasteur Private, which connects to Marie-Curie Private to the
north. There is some natural vegetation existing on the site, including trees, shrubs, and ivy.
STEM BuildingPlanning RationaleSeptember 2016
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Surrounding uses are related to the university, including academic buildings, physical plant offices
and services, and other institutional uses. The Transitway is located immediately west of the subject
site, providing rapid transit to locations in downtown Ottawa and outlying areas. Further west is the
Nicholas Street off-ramp, which provides vehicular access between Highway 417 and Laurier Street,
eventually connecting to Gatineau, Québec via the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge.
Figure 1: Subject Site in Context
Proposed Development
The University proposes to construct a six-storey academic building intended to provide facilities
serving the faculties of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The building is proposed
to feature a common three-storey podium and two separate three-storey towers above. The towers
are proposed to be offset to create visual interest from the west and east perspectives.
The building is proposed to include classrooms, laboratories, offices, workshops, teaching spaces,
study rooms, and a lecture theatre. The main level is designed with an open corridor at the front,
containing study stations, social spaces, and food services facilities. The basement levels are
reserved for more impactful or intensive uses. A hydraulics lab reservoir and a structures lab
workspace are proposed for the lowest level, with additional laboratories, workspaces, storage, and
mechanical rooms proposed for the first basement level.
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Figure 2 below illustrates a Site Plan for the proposed development.
Figure 2: Proposed Development
Along with the building, the former parking lot adjacent to the subject site is proposed to be
converted into an open space, to be named Marion Square, with hard and soft landscaping features
and street furniture. The main entrance to the STEM building is proposed on the north side, facing
Marion Square. A hardscape walkway will connect the primary entrance to the square, continuing
eastward to Louis Pasteur Private and southeast along the east side of the building. The various
hardscape pathways are intended to create a “Grande Allée” corridor to accommodate pedestrians,
STEM BuildingPlanning RationaleSeptember 2016
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bicycles, and vehicles, in order of priority. As illustrated on the submitted Landscape Plan prepared
by Lashley + Associates, a combination of sod, berms, trees, and shrubs are proposed for Marion
Square.
A loading space will be provided on the west side of the building at the rear. Access to the loading
space will be gained by Louis Pasteur Private, which is proposed to be further extended westward
along the south side of the proposed building. The design capitalizes on an existing grading change
at the rear of the building to screen the loading space from view. A concrete retaining wall is
proposed for the west side of the loading bay, with a glass guard proposed for the north side.
Bicycle parking is proposed at multiple outdoor locations to facilitate convenient access for cyclists.
As illustrated on the Landscape Plan, seven sets of bicycle racks are proposed on the north side of
the building, adjacent to the building and in the open space. Additional bicycle racks are proposed
on the south side of the building along Louis Pasteur Private.
Vehicle parking is not proposed for the building, with the exception of three accessible parking
spaces proposed along Louis Pasteur Private at the south side of the building. Sufficient parking to
accommodate the needs of the building is available in existing university parking lots.
Figure 3: Rendering of Proposed STEM Building, Viewed from the Northeast
Les Yeux (James Boyd)
McDonald Hall features a prominent public art installation overlooking the Rideau Canal on the west
facade of the building. The installation, titled Les Yeux and designed by James Boyd in 1973, consists
of a large black-and-white painting depicting a pair of eyes using the aesthetic of a dot matrix print
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that has been reproduced and enlarged many times. The artwork was restored in 2005 by local artist
Luc Doucet.
The proposal endeavours to honour Les Yeux through a reinterpretation that updates the work and
bridges forward from the print age to the digital age. The new format will translate the spirit of
Boyd’s work through new technologies to the STEM Building. Specifically, the design team proposes
to recreate the work on the new building using contemporary materials and adjusting the scale to fit
the scale of the new context. The architectural elements of the building, particularly the
incorporation of two towers above a three-storey podium, offer an opportunity to reinterpret the
existing artwork on a modern “canvas.”
The design team proposes to recreate the work using digital photogrammetry of the original work to
create a digital file from which the work can be reinterpreted as a dot matrix of high temperature
fired ceramic ink on glass. The proposed approach and materials will also offer the opportunity to
appreciate the artwork at night, as the windows will be backlit using programmable LED technology.
The intent of the building design is to take cues from Les Yeux by incorporating a series of circular
windows along the northern and southern facades of the towers. These windows will wrap around
the building, culminating in the artwork reinterpretation itself on the western facades.
Transportation Considerations
The majority of users of the proposed STEM building are anticipated to arrive on foot, rather than by
private vehicle. The location of the subject site on the University of Ottawa campus, in proximity to
other buildings, provides convenient access to the majority of students, faculty, staff, and visitors
traveling to and from the site.
The site is approximately 100 metres from the Campus Rapid Transit Station, which will comprise
part of the Confederation Line of the City of Ottawa’s forthcoming Light Rail Transit (LRT) network.
The station is intended to serve members of the university community, including users of the STEM
Building. Use of the public transit system will encourage active forms of transportation and a
decrease in vehicular traffic.
In general, vehicular parking is not proposed for the STEM building, as sufficient parking facilities are
available elsewhere on campus for users of the building. This arrangement improves safety and helps
to ensure that the area surrounding the building gives priority to pedestrians. As no new parking is
proposed with the development, the building will not generate any vehicular traffic of significance or
parking impacts on the campus or on adjacent properties.
Policy & Regulatory Framework
Provincial Policy Statement (2014)
The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) provides policy direction on matters of provincial interest
related to land use planning and development. The PPS is issued under the authority of section 3 of
the Planning Act, and came into effect on April 30, 2014. The Planning Act requires that all decisions
affecting planning matters must be consistent with policy statements issued under the Act.
The PPS promotes efficient development and land use patterns that sustain the financial well-being
of the Province and municipalities over the long term. Specifically, cost-effective development
patterns and standards that minimize land consumption and servicing costs are encouraged.
STEM BuildingPlanning RationaleSeptember 2016
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Settlement areas represent the focus of growth and development, and the PPS requires their vitality
and regeneration to be promoted. Land use patterns within settlement areas must be based on
densities and a mix of land uses that:
1.
Efficiently use land and resources;
2. Are appropriate for, and efficiently use, the infrastructure and public service facilities which
are planned or available, and avoid the need for their unjustified and / or uneconomical
expansion;
3. Minimize negative impacts to air quality and climate change, and promote energy efficiency;
4. Support active transportation;
5. Are transit-supportive, where transit is planned, exists, or may be developed.
Planning authorities are required to identify appropriate locations and promote opportunities for
intensification and redevelopment, taking into account existing building stock or areas, and the
availability of suitable existing or planned infrastructure and public service facilities required to
accommodate projected needs.
Section 1.2 of the PPS encourages a coordinated, integrated, and comprehensive approach to
planning matters between municipalities, other orders of government, agencies and boards,
including public service facilities.
Section 1.6.1 requires that public service facilities be provided in a coordinated, efficient and costeffective manner that considers impacts from climate change while accommodating projected
needs. Public service facilities must be planned so that they are financially viable over their life cycle
and available to meet current and projected needs.
Section 1.6.7.4 promotes a land use pattern, density, and mix of uses that minimize the length and
number of vehicle trips and support current and future use of transit and active transportation.
Section 1.6.8.3 stipulates that new development proposed on adjacent lands to existing or planned
corridors and transportation facilities should be compatible with, and supportive of, the long-term
purposes of the corridor and should be designed to avoid, mitigate or minimize negative impacts on
and from the corridor and transportation facilities.
Section 1.7.1 states that long-term economic prosperity should be supported by:

Promoting opportunities for economic development;

Maintaining and enhancing the vitality and viability of downtowns and mainstreets;

Encouraging a sense of place, by promoting well-designed built form and cultural planning.
Section 1.8 of the PPS requires that planning authorities support energy conservation and efficiency,
improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change adaptation through
land use and development patterns that:

Promote compact form and a structure of nodes and corridors;

Promote the use of active transportation and transit in and between residential, employment,
and institutional uses and other areas;

Focus major employment, commercial, and other travel-intensive land uses on sites which are
well-served by transit;

Promote design and orientation which:
STEM BuildingPlanning RationaleSeptember 2016
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o
Maximizes energy efficiency and conservation, and considers that mitigating effects of
vegetation; and
o
Maximizes opportunities for the use of renewable energy systems and alternative
energy systems.
The proposed STEM building is consistent with the policies of the 2014 PPS.
City of Ottawa Official Plan (2003, as amended)
The University of Ottawa campus is designated General Urban Area on City of Ottawa Official Plan
Schedule B (Urban Policy Plan), as illustrated on Figure 4 below. The designation permits residential,
employment, retail, service, industrial, cultural, leisure, greenspace, entertainment, and institutional
uses. The entirety of the University of Ottawa is designated General Urban Area. Policy 2 requires
that the evaluation of development applications will be in accordance with Sections 2.5.1 and 4.11.
Figure 4: Extract from Official Plan Schedule B (Urban Policy Plan)
Policy 5 of Section 3.6.1 permits uses in the General Urban Area that may generate traffic, noise, or
other impacts that have the potential to create conflicts with the surrounding residential community.
Such uses are often large and serve or draw from broader areas. These uses will be directed to:
a) locations along the rapid-transit system, or an arterial or major collector road;
STEM BuildingPlanning RationaleSeptember 2016
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b) suitable locations
neighbourhoods.
on
the
perimeter
of,
or
isolated
from,
established
residential
The proposal meets the criteria established in Policy 5, as it is within proximity of the future Campus
Light-Rail Transit (LRT) station and is separated from the surrounding residential community at the
edge of the university campus.
Policy 14 of Section 2.2.2 promotes intensification and redevelopment outside of designated target
areas such as the General Urban Area designation in the following cases:

Lands within 600 metres of future or existing rapid-transit stations with potential to develop
as compact, mixed-use and pedestrian-friendly cores;

Lands that are no longer viable for the purpose for which they were intended;

Lands where the present use is maintained but the addition of residential uses or other uses
can be accomplished in a complementary manner;

Lands currently or formerly used as parking lots or other extensive storage purposes;

Lands where records indicate existing contamination due to previous commercial or industrial
use, but which can be made suitable for development if cleaned up.
The proposal is located within 600 metres of the future Campus LRT station, and also proposes to
redevelop an existing parking lot. The future LRT station is shown on Official Plan Schedule D-Rapid
Transit Network in Figure 5 below.
Figure 5: Extract from Official Plan Schedule D (Rapid Transit Network)
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Policy 31 of Section 2.3 stipulates that development applications within the Development Zone of
Influence shown on Annex 17 may require a Proximity Study. City Staff have indicated that the
proposal is sufficiently set back from the Confederation Line so as to not warrant a Proximity Study.
Section 2.5.1 contains design objectives and principles for development in the City of Ottawa. The
objectives are to be applied within all land use designations, including the General Urban Area. The
proposed development meets the applicable design objectives:

Enhances the sense of community by proposing a high-quality building that contributes to
the university skyline and reinterprets the existing artwork facing the Rideau Canal;

Defines quality public and private spaces through development by introducing a new public
space and enclosing it with a functional, attractive academic building;

Creates places that are safe, accessible, and easy to get to and move through by ensuring a
network of pedestrian pathways to access the building, providing sufficient bicycle parking,
and proposing generous fenestration to provide “eyes on the street” and improve safety;

Respects the character of existing areas by proposing an institutional building on the
university campus including a reinterpretation of the existing artwork facing the Rideau Canal;

Considers adaptability and diversity by redeveloping an existing building site and
contributing to a compact urban form on the university campus;

Understands and respects natural processes and features by replacing a parking lot with hard
and soft landscaping elements, including permeable surfaces for stormwater infiltration; and

Maximizes energy-efficiency and promotes sustainable design by incorporating an integrated
campus heat recovery system, improved stormwater infiltration, and an atrium designed to
bring sunlight further into the building.
Section 4.6.3 contains policies applicable to development applications adjacent to the Rideau Canal.
Policy 1(a) states that the City will conserve the natural environment, cultural heritage, scenic
qualities, and recreational potential of the Rideau Canal by reviewing development applications
adjacent to the Canal to ensure that the visual quality of the waterway and view from the waterway,
as well as natural and cultural features, are evaluated. The Site Plan Control application will be
circulated to the National Capital Commission (NCC) to provide an opportunity for input on the
proposal.
Additionally, Section 4.6.4 of the Official Plan contains policies related to Scenic-Entry Routes, which
are comprised of various roads, pathways, and waterways used by residents and visitors arriving in
the National Capital Region. Nicholas Street is designated as a Scenic-Entry Route on Schedule I of
the Official Plan, as illustrated on Figure 6 below. Policy 2 of Section 4.6.4 lists guidelines for these
corridors, including:

Safe and attractive environment for travelers;

Attention to building orientation, outside storage, access and egress, landscaping, fencing,
lighting and signage to create an aesthetically pleasing streetscape;

The protection of views to natural and cultural heritage features, mature trees, and roadside
vegetation along and beyond the right-of-way;

Coordination of landscaping, berming, pathways and other features within the rights-of-way
with the creation of such features on adjacent land, including the potential to locate these
features on adjacent property.
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The creative and attractive design of the proposed building will enhance the existing skyline and
aesthetic experience along the Rideau Canal and Nicholas Street off-ramp. As the subject site is on
the east side of these corridors, and is proposed to replace an existing building, the proposal will not
impact direct views to Parliament. The proposed development will include a variety of landscaping
features, including some along the west side of the building adjacent to the Transitway and the
Nicholas Street off-ramp.
Figure 6: Extract from Official Plan Schedule I (Multi-Use Pathways and Scenic Entry Routes)
Policy 2 of Section 4.11 lists criteria for the evaluation of development applications. The proposed
development meets the applicable criteria:

Traffic: The development is not proposing any vehicular parking spaces, and will not be a
significant traffic generator. Given the pedestrian-oriented building access, City Staff have
waived the requirement for a Traffic Study.

Vehicular Access: Delivery and emergency vehicles will continue to gain access to the
proposed building on the south side, adjacent to Colonel By Hall. Loading activities are
proposed to occur at the rear on the west side of the building.

Parking Requirements: No parking is proposed within the proposed building. Parking facilities
required by the Zoning By-law are met elsewhere on campus, as permitted in Exception Zone
347.

Outdoor Amenity Areas: A new outdoor amenity space is proposed adjacent to the STEM
Building, to be named Marion Square. The amenity space will replace the existing parking lot.
STEM BuildingPlanning RationaleSeptember 2016
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
Loading Areas: Loading activities are proposed to occur at the rear of the building on the
west side of the site.

Lighting: Given that the development site is surrounded by the university campus and the
Transitway, negative lighting impacts on nearby properties are not anticipated.

Noise and Air Quality: The proposed building is not anticipated to generate impacts on noise
or air quality. Any impacts from scientific experiments performed within the building will be
contained within the building or mitigated appropriately.

Sunlight: The building replaces an existing building and is not anticipated to result in
significant shadowing impacts. The majority of impacts will fall on the university campus or
the adjacent transportation corridors.

Microclimate: The scale, location, and context of the proposed development are such that it is
not anticipated to result in impacts from wind, snow drifting, or heat.
Policy 7 of Section 4.11 defines buildings of five to nine storeys as medium-rise. At six storeys, the
proposed development is appropriate for the context and is not subject to the additional
compatibility criteria required for high-rise developments.
The proposed STEM building is consistent with the policies of the City of Ottawa Official Plan (2003,
as amended).
Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 150
In 2013, the City of Ottawa updated its Official Plan, resulting in numerous changes to its land use
policies. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing issued approval of OPA 150 in April 2014, but
the Amendment is currently under appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Until the OMB
renders its decision, the current policies of the City of Ottawa Official Plan 2003 (as amended)
remain in full force and effect.
The revised policies in Section 2.2.2 establish that low-rise intensification will be the predominant
form of intensification in the General Urban Area. New policies in Section 3.6.1 elaborate on this
direction, limiting new development in the designation to four storeys or less. Policy 4 provides
exceptions to this policy, stating that greater heights may be considered in cases where the existing
zoning permits buildings above four storeys.
Section 4.11 of OPA 150 also includes policies encouraging good design, although many of these
policies apply developments that front onto public streets in non-campus contexts.
The proposed STEM building is consistent with the policies of the City of Ottawa Official Plan
Amendment 150.
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Transit-Oriented Development Guidelines
The TOD Guidelines were approved by Ottawa City Council on September 26, 2007. The document
provides guidelines for development within proximity to rapid transit stations, such as the subject
site. The proposal meets several applicable guidelines, including:

Provides a transit-supportive land use within
a 600-metre walking distance of a rapid
transit station.

Capitalizes on existing pedestrian and
cycling routes and “short cuts” that lead
directly to transit.


Locates the building close to other
buildings and along the front of the street
to encourage ease of walking between
buildings and to public transit.
Creates a highly visible landmark through
distinctive design features that can be easily
identified and located.

Provides architectural variety to provide
visual interest to pedestrians.

Sets back the building from the street line
to define the street edge and provide space
for pedestrian activities and landscaping.
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
Incorporates clear windows and doors to
make the pedestrian level facade of walls
facing the street highly transparent in order
to provide ease of entrance, visual interest,
and increased security through informal
viewing.

Provides convenient and attractive bicycle
parking that is close to building entrances,
visible from the interior of the building, and
that does not impede the movement of
pedestrians.

Locates loading areas off the street, behind
the building.

Screens loading areas from public view
through building design, location, and
landscape features.
City of Ottawa Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2008-250
The subject lands are zoned Major Institutional Subzone A, Exception 347, Maximum FSI 3.0
(I2A[347] F(3.0)), as illustrated on Figure 7 below. The I2A Subzone is titled the Post Secondary
Educational Facilities Subzone, and is intended to apply to the University of Ottawa, along with other
post-secondary institutions in the city.
The intent of the zone is to:

Ensure that major institutional uses such as hospitals, colleges and universities are located at
appropriate locations within areas designated as General Urban Area, Central Area, and
Mixed-Use Centre in the Official Plan;

Ensure that these large scale, high traffic generating institutions locate only on large parcels
of land, with direct access to an arterial road and near rapid transit stations;

Impose regulations which ensure that the size and intensity of these uses is compatible with
adjacent uses; and

Permit minor institutional uses and provide for a range of ancillary service uses.
A range of institutional uses is permitted in the I2 Zone, including post-secondary institution uses.
In the I2A Subzone, a place of assembly is only permitted provided it is on the same lot as a
permitted use listed in Section 171(1) of the Zoning By-law and does not occupy a cumulative total
gross floor area in excess of 10% of the gross floor area occupied by uses listed in Section 171(1). The
intent of the provision is to maintain places of assembly as subordinate uses within buildings
containing a different primary use.
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Figure 7: Extract from Zoning By-law 2008-250 Zoning Map
Table 171 of the Zoning By-law establishes performance standards for development in the I2 Zone.
The University of Ottawa campus is considered one lot for zoning purposes, and the table below
evaluates the proposed development on this basis:
STEM BuildingPlanning RationaleSeptember 2016
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Table 1: Zoning Evaluation
Zoning Mechanism
Zone Provision
Compliance
Minimum Lot Width
No minimum

Minimum Lot Area
No minimum

Minimum Front Yard Setback
7.5 m

Minimum Rear Yard Setback
7.5 m

Minimum Interior Side Yard Setback
7.5 m
(Not applicable)
Minimum Corner Side Yard Setback
7.5 m

15 m
(Not applicable)
No maximum

3m

Maximum Height
Within 12 m of
an R1, R2, or R3
zone
Other cases
Minimum Width of Landscaped Area
Along All Lot Lines
2
1 / 250 m GFA
Bicycle Parking
= 109 spaces

As outlined in the table above, the proposed development meets the applicable zoning performance
standards.
Exception 347 lists two site-specific provisions:

The gross floor area may be distributed over all I2A[347]F(3.0), I2E[1377] F(3.0), I2E [1376]
S232, I2A [1378] S232, I2A [2029] and LC2 zoned lands, provided that with every application
for a building permit, a detailed account of the gross floor area used to date and remaining is
submitted indicating the cumulative gross floor area of the subzone is not exceeded.

All required parking spaces may be located on any part of the I2A[347] F(3.0), I2E [1377]
F(3.0), I2E [1376] S232, I2A [1378] S232, I2A [2029] and LC2, TD2[2077], TD3[2090],
TD3[2077] H(107), TD3 [2077] H(137) zoned lots.
STEM BuildingPlanning RationaleSeptember 2016
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The table below evaluates the application against these two site-specific provisions:
Table 2: Zoning Evaluation (Exception 347)
Provision
Requirement
Proposal
Campus
Compliance
Total Land Area:
2
292,444 m
Demolished: -8,596 m
Distribution
of gross
floor area
Maximum
FSI: 3.0
Proposed: +27,185 m
2
2
Proposed – demolished
2
= 18,589 m
Existing GFA:
2
265,971 m

Total GFA (incl.
STEM Building):
284,560
FSI: 284,560 /
292,444 = 0.97
Distribution
of required
parking
No parking
required in
Area Z of
Schedule 1A
No parking proposed
Surplus spaces on
campus: 300

The subject site is subject to the Mature Neighbourhoods Overlay on the zoning map. As per
subsection (2) of Section 139 of the Zoning By-law, the overlay applies only to lots to be developed
with a low-rise residential use building of four storeys of less; thus it is not applicable to the proposal.
University of Ottawa Master Plan
The University of Ottawa adopted its Campus Master Plan (CMP) in November 2015, and is intended
to guide the physical development of the campus over a 20-year period.
The strategies in the CMP respond to growth pressures identified in the University’s Strategic Plan.
The Strategic Plan calls for:

A planned increase in the faculty complement and graduate students, which drives the need
for new research and office space.

The need to upgrade the University’s teaching space with high-quality lecture halls and
flexible teaching spaces.

Incremental growth in space demands in all faculties in response to program change,
enrolment shifts, and changing pedagogy that will incorporate more project-based and
group-based activity in the curriculum.
The subject site is located in the Core Campus Precinct, which includes most of the University’s
academic buildings and other facilities south of Laurier Avenue East.
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The CMP features an overview survey of existing campus conditions. A Facilities Assessment Review
cited in the CMP classifies the buildings on the subject site, including the CUBE Building and
McDonald Hall, as “unfit” and “deficient,” respectively.
The proposal meets several of the directions for the CMP identified through consultations, including:

A greener campus in all places with more outdoor amenities

A more pedestrian-friendly campus

Identify underdeveloped sites and buildings that should be demolished

Adapt to new methods of teaching and studying

Protect the land base
The subject site is designated Academic on the Land Use Plan, as illustrated on Figure 8 below. The
purpose of the designation is to accommodate teaching and research facilities, administrative uses,
and ancillary student residences and services. The ground level of academic buildings is generally
reserved for public uses such as common areas, study spaces, student services, recreation facilities
and food services.
Figure 8: Extract from University of Ottawa Master Plan Land Use Plan
Additionally, the adjacent parking lot to the north is planned for Marion Square, an open space
envisioned as a quiet space for studying or relaxing. It also serves to extend the car-free core further
south, and contribute to a safe and comfortable walking experience. Marion Square is designated
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Major Open Space. Areas under the designation are centrally located and integrated with
surrounding developments.
McDonald Hall and the CUBE Building on the subject site are classified as Buildings for Demolition on
the Sites for Renewal or Redevelopment Plan.
Section 4.7 of the CMP contains policies related to Campus Identity. The subject site is designated as
a Major Focal Point on the associated schedule, which indicates key entry points, gateways, major
pedestrian routes and transit hubs, and areas with high visibility from key external vantage points
such as the Rideau Canal and major transportation routes. In these areas, the CMP states that special
consideration should be given to architecture and landscape design. Buildings should be of the
highest quality and have distinctive architectural features while respecting the surrounding built
fabric in terms of scale, form, and materials. Similarly, the design of the public realm at focal points
and view termini should complement adjacent buildings and may include distinctive elements, such
as public art, unique benches or other furniture, or enhanced plantings.
The Community Hubs Schedule of the CMP indicates an At-Grade Active Frontage designation on
the subject site fronting onto Marion Square.
The CMP notes that all forms of public art should be encouraged on the campus. In particular, public
art should be located at the termini of key views and in smaller courtyards and plazas. Marion Square
is identified as a Cultural Destination, which contains the most potential for cultural programming.
Section 4.8.1 contains policies related to the Street Network. The associated schedule indicates a
new Proposed Shared Pedestrian Priority Street along Louis Pasteur Private along the east and south
boundaries of the subject site, linking existing Pedestrian Only Routes adjacent to Colonel By Hall.
The corridor would also function as a Shared Bike Route. Additionally, a Future Multi-Use Pathway is
proposed to connect Louis Pasteur Private to a multi-use pathway along the western edge of the
campus.
Despite the pedestrian priority for adjacent access routes, the CMP also proposes that these routes
be available for Shared Servicing / Emergency Routes. The rear of the proposed building on the
subject site is designated for loading and servicing activities on the Parking, Loading and Service
Plan.
Conclusion
The proposed Site Plan Control application is consistent with the policies of the 2014 Provincial
Policy Statement (PPS), as well as the City of Ottawa Official Plan, Official Plan Amendment 150, and
the City’s Transit-Oriented Design Guidelines. It is also compliant with all applicable zoning
regulations, including those relating to Floor Space Index (FSI) and parking. Finally, the development
represents intensification that is independent of automobile-related facilities within close proximity
to the City’s planned light rail transit system. As such, the proposal represents good planning that is
within the public interest.
Jaime Posen, MCIP RPP
Planner
FOTENN Consultants Inc.
Brian Casagrande, MCIP RPP
Director, Planning & Development
FOTENN Consultants Inc.
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