Heritage Committee Approves Tower Amid Losses - Comité du patrimoine bâti – le 14 avril 2026

The Built Heritage Committee met on April 14, 2026 to review development proposals in heritage districts and to address the impact of provincial changes that will remove thousands of properties from Ottawa’s heritage register by January 1, 2027. The committee approved a mixed-use tower proposal at 267 O’Connor Street in the Centertown Heritage Conservation District, advanced work on new Heritage Conservation District (HCD) studies, and approved a new non-statutory “Heritage Inventory” to track properties of interest after they lose legal status under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Topics Discussed

267 O'Connor Street Development Approval

The committee approved a mixed-use development at 267 O’Connor Street consisting of two residential towers (27 and 25 storeys) with 513 residential units, commercial uses at grade, four levels of underground parking, and an outdoor privately owned public space (POPS). As described during the meeting: “The development includes 513 residential units, commercial uses at grade along O’Connor, four levels of underground parking, and an outdoor space which will operate as a privately owned public space which is known as a POPS.”

Committee discussion focused on how the proposal fits within Centertown’s heritage policies. Staff described the design approach as a compromise between competing directions: “We have the Centertown landmark building policies which reach for iconic architecture and then we have the Centertown HCD plan which pulls the architecture more to relate and complement the existing built form. So this is what we’ve resolved as being a balance between these policies.”

Member Quinn said the design did not go far enough in responding to the district context: “I was geared up for something really interesting and I have to share with you that I find this disappointing and that there was there’s opportunity to do something more that does in fact relate to the conservation district and we’re hearing from the community and they want to see that.”

The committee’s vote initially tied 4–4, and the item did not carry on that first vote. It later passed 5–3 after a member changed their vote.

Provincial Heritage Act Changes Create Crisis

Staff outlined the impact of Bill 23-related changes to the Ontario Heritage Act, which require municipalities to remove properties from their heritage register if they are not designated within prescribed timelines. Staff noted Ottawa’s register currently includes about 4,600 properties, and that the city will be “in that position for all 4600 as of January,” with one staff member adding: “Have there been a couple that have been lost? probably, but nothing major. We’ve been lucky. We’ve got what, 8 months to go, but um yeah, they would have all come off at the end of this year anyway.”

Staff also emphasized the timing constraint on designation once a planning application is deemed complete: “We must either issue a notice of intention to designate prior to a planning application being deemed complete or we are restricted from designating the property forever.”

Heritage Ottawa representatives warned the scale of removals will surprise residents. One said: “I was a bit surprised at how drastic the situation is and I’m fairly well informed. So I think there are a lot of people out there who are going to find this very shocking.” Linda Hod of Heritage Ottawa added: “It’s pretty terrifying when you read what we’re losing.”

To track properties that come off the register, the committee approved creating a “Heritage Inventory” without legal status under the Act.

Heritage Conservation District Work Plan Extended to 2033

Staff presented an HCD study work plan extending into the next decade, with some studies beginning sooner and others delayed due to staffing and workload. In discussing why HCDs matter, staff framed the purpose as managing change: “The goal of an HCD is to manage that change to ensure that the concentration of historic buildings that give an area its special character… that that character is maintained to the best of our ability.”

The committee also debated boundary and policy questions, including whether non-heritage properties should be excluded from HCD boundaries. Staff cautioned against asymmetric boundaries, arguing: “Streets are experienced as a whole… Allowing asymmetric boundaries as a matter of policy would set a troubling precedent and could leave heritage areas visually exposed to incompatible development on the opposing frontage.”

Heritage Easement for Sir Charles Tupper Building

The committee approved a heritage easement agreement for the Sir Charles Tupper building at Confederation Heights with Canada Lands Company. Staff described easements as a tool that can set out a statement of value, identify protected attributes, and establish conservation guidelines while allowing flexibility as future proposals evolve.

Rejected Motion for Public Heritage FAQ

The committee rejected 7–1 a motion to create a “Heritage and the New Zoning Bylaw FAQ resource.” The motion’s proponent argued the city should provide clearer public-facing guidance on how heritage rules and HCD plans interact with the new comprehensive zoning bylaw, stating: “Heritage districts work best when people understand the rules and trust the process. Transparency isn’t a luxury. It’s foundational to public confidence in heritage conservation.”

Motions

Passed: - Heritage permit for 267 O'Connor Street development (passed 5–3 after initial 4–4 tie) - Amendment requiring conservation of relief sculpture at 267 O'Connor Street (passed) - Heritage permit for 237 Clemow Avenue demolition and replacement (carried) - Heritage easement agreement for Sir Charles Tupper building (carried) - Creation of City of Ottawa Heritage Inventory (approved) - Direction to remove remaining properties from heritage register by year-end (approved) - Centertown West Heritage Conservation District study boundary (approved) - Beaverbrook Heritage Conservation District study (approved) - Chinatown Heritage Conservation District feasibility assessment (approved)

Rejected: - Motion to create Heritage and Zoning Bylaw FAQ resource (rejected 7–1) - Motion to establish guidelines excluding non-heritage properties from HCD boundaries (defeated)

Deferred: - None explicitly mentioned

Attendees

Present: - Chair King - Vice Chair Plant - Member Quinn - Member Kelly - Member Troster (Councillor) - Member LeGault - Member Leiper (Councillor) - Member Bournes

Regrets: - Member Madigan