More than 2,000 new homes planned for Riverside South

Ottawa's planning committee will discuss a pair of applicationsThursday that could see Riverside South grow by more than 2,000 new homes.

The new subdivisions would sprout up on former farmland between River andSprattroads, south of Earl Armstrong Road.

Riverside South Development Corporation a partnership between Urbandale and Richcraft wants to build1,350 homes on two parcels of land, while Claridgewants to build 737 homes on a separate parcel sandwiched in between.

The developers are promising to set aside land forseven yearsto allow the public and Catholic school boards to each build a new elementary and high school.

Special fee to pay for LRT extension

If the subdivisionsgoahead, the homes will be subject to a special development charge specific to Riverside South.

That's tohelp pay for the 3.4 kilometres of extra rail to bring the future Trillium Line from BowesvilleStation right into Riverside South.

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The Ontario government pledged $50 million last spring toward that additional stretch of rail.

The City of Ottawa wants toraise another $30 million by charging a development fee above the current rate of $35,000 per suburbandetached home.

If city council approves that arrangement at its next meeting on March 6, the new rate will be hashed out in the coming months.

City staff approved draft plans for bothsubdivisions last fall.