Committee rejects Chteau Laurier addition detail

The planned expansion of the Chteau Laurier was dealt a blow Fridayas the city's committee of adjustmentsaid no topart of the controversial addition'sdesign.

The proposed addition's ground flooris three metres from the property line with Major's Hill Park, but a cantilevered portion of the second through seventh floors comes to within 39 centimetres of the park's border.

While city council has approved the building's heritage application, as well asengineering and landscapingplans, developer Larco Investments needed the committee of adjustment's approval of the design.

The committee of adjustment is an arm's length panel made up of five residents, andtypically deals with minor variances such as residential additions or property severances.

Design out of step with surroundings

In Friday's ruling, committee members rejected the cantilevered section, saying it was a significant variance that is not in line with the surrounding area.

"The approval would allow for a new build that does not respect the landscape and character of the heritage features of the historic properties that surround the site," reads the ruling.

The committee was also not convinced the design was "compatible" with the city's planning rules.

Heritage Ottawalawyer Marc Denhez said the decision is a victory.

"The heritage community and the population won on the major point," he said. "The committee could not have been clearer."

'Huge win'

Denhez said he'd quibble with some aspects of the decision, but overall he feels the group's arguments were heard.

"On the major issue that was before us, it came down squarely in favour of the position we were advocating."

Denhez said all of council's previous approvals hinged on this step.

"The small print at the bottom of the page said this is all still conditional on getting all of your ducks lined up in a row at the committee of adjustment. It is right there in black and white on the printed page."

Coun. Mathieu Fleury, who tried to get councillors to reverse their prior approvalearlier this year, called the decision a "huge win" that will stop the project from going ahead.

He said he hopes it sends a message to the developer.

"It signals to the applicant to come back to the table, work with the community, work withHeritage Ottawa, work with the friends of Chteau Laurier," he said.

"We are not opposed to an addition of seven storeys. We are opposed to the materials,the shape. We really feel they are not compatible."

Planner Dennis Jacobs, who represents Larco, had no comment on the committee's decision Friday afternoon, but during the original hearing said that denying the variance would force the developer back to council.

Larcohas until Oct. 17 to launch an appeal to Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.