Minor variance or major monstrosity? Chteauwall request sparks outcry

Ottawa's committee of adjustment had likely never seen so many big names before.

On Wednesday, critics of the ChteauLaurier's proposed addition showed upto argue against the hotel owners'request for a retaining wall along Major's Hill Park.

The item came last, aftera series of more typical, lower-profile applications, like requests to build an additionover a home's garage.

"This is of a different magnitude altogether," former MP Don Boudria told the five-member panel. "This is not a minor variance at all."

David Collenette, another former cabinet minister, told the committeetheir decision could abet the "erection of a monstrosity that will cast a pall on a G7 city."

Needs permission for wall

Larco Investments, which owns the 107-year-old hotel,already has council's half-hearted blessing on the bigger approvals needed to build a 147-roomaddition.

Planning committee approved the detailed engineering drawings and landscaping in June. Full council approved the heritage permit and design in June 2018, and chose not to rescind that permitat a heated debate inJuly.

• 'Betrayal of democracy': Reviled Chteau Laurieraddition to go ahead
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But thedesign requires building a retaining wall right on the property line with Major's Hill Parkand cantilevering a section of the new addition within three metres of that line, which isn't normally allowed.

That's why Larco needs a decision from thecommittee of adjustment, which it will deliver inwriting on Sept. 27.

Pathway plans

Larco Investments sent planner Dennis Jacobs as its representative, along with a lawyer,to make the case that the committee of adjustment had a simple decision on its hands.

Jacobs argued the retaining wall was needed for a public pathway. As for the cantilevered portion, it couldn't be changed without restarting the entire design process at council, he said.

This application is fatally flawed. It's time to turn it down,- Marc Denhez, lawyer for Heritage Ottawa

City planners told the committee, made up of five residents appointed by council, they had no problem with what Larco was requesting.

The committee of adjustment's chair, John Blatherwick, noted his panel needed to consider the intent of council.

But critics urgedthe committee to right thewrongs, asthey see them, on the hotel's journey through city hall's planning processes.

'Fatally flawed'

"This application is fatally flawed, and doesn't deserve your support. It's time to turn it down," said Marc Denhez, one of the lawyers hired by Heritage Ottawa to challenge the ChteauLaurieradditon.

Denhezco-filed an application in Superior Court this week, arguing city council made a mistake in delegatingthepower to approve the final design to the city's chief planner.

Architectural historian Peter Coffman said Wednesday he'sconcerned the committee of adjustment won't deal withthe big picture, either.

He's made multiple passionate presentations to decision-makers in recent months.

"We seem to have had one episode after another of people responding to intense public engagement and concern by throwing up their hands and saying 'I'm sorry I can't deal with those concerns. It's not in my jurisdiction. It's not in my job description,'" Coffmantold CBC News.

A National Capital Commission committee still has to approvelandscapingand the way in whichthe hotel's addition integrates with Major's Hill Park.

Larco's representatives declined to speak to CBC News after Wednesday's meeting.