New Zoning By-law – Final Draft

The recitals

• the Official Plan says that the “Corridor designation applies to bands of land along specified streets whose planned function combines a higher density of development, a greater degree of mixed uses and a higher level of street transit service than abutting Neighbourhoods, but lower density than nearby Hubs” (Section 6.2).
• Somerset Street East does not meet the definition of a Minor Corridor, specifically: The street transit service is limited and does not provide service to the entire street in both directions; Somerset Street East serves as an important link in the cross-city cycling and pedestrian system. With the construction of the Adàwe Bridge over the Rideau River ten years ago, cyclists and pedestrians are able to connect from east of the Rideau to Somerset Street West and beyond. This was intended as a safe route for cyclists, as opposed to other routes along Laurier Avenue East, Rideau Street or St Patrick. Currently, there is parking on the north side of the roadway on some blocks, two cycling lanes and two lanes for buses and other vehicles. The pavement width is not adequate to support two on-coming vehicles safely; one of the vehicles must encroach on the cycling lane, causing danger to cyclists. The proposed minor corridor designation would allow for higher building heights which would result in more traffic thereby increasing the risk of accidents on Somerset Street East Already along Somerset Street East, there is a mix of detached and low-rise apartments, some with commercial spaces at ground level. This mix is consistent with the Official Plan’s goals of providing different housing options and 15-minute neighbourhoods. Introducing higher building heights could jeopardize this goal. Laurier Avenue East is two blocks north of Somerset Street East and is designated a Minor Corridor, making this designation redundant