Regional Group has submitted a Minor Zoning By-law Amendment application for 5100 Robert Grant Avenue, to remove a condition from the zoning requiring a 2,500 square meter landscaped central plaza, or a “Village Green” for the Fernbank area.
Watch this video where I explain where this is, and what this application is about. I’ve also included information about the Village Green from the Fernbank Community Design Plan at the bottom of this post.
Additional background is available here: 5100 Robert Grant: Minor Zoning By-law Amendment
For additional information or to provide your comments, contact planner Emily Charby at Emily.Charby@ottawa.ca. Please quote File No. D02-02-26-0046 in the subject line. You can copy me at glen.gower@ottawa.ca.
Here’s how the Village Green is described in the Fernbank Community Design Plan (2009)
The Village Green is strategically located at the centre of the Community Core within the Fernbank Community, with proximity to a major transit way stop, the District Park, the Trans Canada Trail, a secondary school, and a large community population within walking distance. The Village Green would be a civic gathering place and passive public open space for people to meet and socialize, for residents and citizens at large to participate in various outdoor activities and to enjoy a public realm in a more urban context. Non-residential uses surrounding the Village Green will be encouraged. The Village Green is to be provided as a public open space but is not included within the dedicated parkland requirements.
Guidelines:
- A strong defined edge around the perimeter of the Village Green should be provided through landscape elements and built form.
- The Village Green should be exposed to the main thoroughfares to provide good visibility and accessibility.
- Where possible, the Village Green may be connected to public uses such as a transit station, neighbourhood commercial (retail, café, banks, etc.), and institutional uses (library, community services, medical offices).
- A focal area within the Village Green should be designed to provide seating, landscaping, and an open space area that may be used to host a variety of public functions (such as a farmers’ market, arts and crafts show, music festivities etc.)
- Visual amenities such as gardens, pergolas/gazebos, water features/skating rink, and public art should also be provided.
* Pedestrian connections should be provided to sidewalks.