Ottawa planning committee approves zoning changes for over 2,800 new homes
Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee approved zoning amendments for five sites across the city, allowing more than 2,800 new housing units and three new city parks.
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Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee approved zoning amendments for five sites across the city on November 8, 2026, clearing the way for more than 2,800 new housing units and three new city parks, CityNews Ottawa reported.
Scouts Canada site on Baseline Road
The largest single change covers the former Scouts Canada headquarters at Baseline Road, west of Merivale Road. The zoning amendment allows the site to be redeveloped with four high-rise towers, each between 30 and 40 storeys tall. The buildings will hold 1,251 new units and ground-floor commercial space, according to CityNews Ottawa.
The zoning change also clarifies rules about how close towers can be to the street and to each other, and how big each building's footprint can be. A new 1,100-square-metre municipal park will be built on the site. CityNews Ottawa reported that Scouts Canada will work with the City and the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation on options for the totem pole that currently stands there.
St. Laurent Boulevard development
A four-building development was also approved at St. Laurent Boulevard, south of Industrial Road. That project would add 911 new homes and a new city park. The design includes two 30-storey buildings, one 13-storey building, and one 11-storey building.
The zoning change allows buildings up to 100 metres tall at that site, up from the previous limit of 50 metres.
Three more sites
The committee approved three further changes:
- A new residential subdivision west of Bank Street and north of the future Earl Armstrong Road extension, with 350 new homes and a community park, through an Official Plan amendment.
- A plan for 16 residential buildings, all four storeys or lower, on Woodroffe Avenue south of Paul Métivier Drive in Barrhaven East, adding between 160 and 172 new homes.
- Three six-storey apartment buildings at the corner of Kanata Avenue and Terry Fox Drive in Kanata North, adding 182 new homes. That change also increases the maximum allowed building height and reduces landscaping and bike parking requirements.
What comes next
Planning and Housing Committee approval is one step in the process. Zoning amendments typically proceed to full City Council for a final vote. Residents who want to follow these files can read planning committee decisions at the City of Ottawa's meetings site. Those who want to track how their elected councillors vote on housing can follow the Ottawa promise tracker.
Questions this story answers
What did the Ottawa Planning and Housing Committee approve on November 8, 2026?
The committee approved zoning amendments for five different sites across Ottawa. The changes allow more than 2,800 new housing units in total to be built, along with three new city parks. The approved sites are in Merivale, St. Laurent, Barrhaven East, a subdivision near Bank Street, and Kanata North.
What is planned for the former Scouts Canada headquarters at Baseline Road?
The zoning change allows the site to be redeveloped with four high-rise towers, each between 30 and 40 storeys tall. The buildings will have 1,251 new units and ground-floor commercial space. The City said Scouts Canada will work with the City and the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation on options for the totem pole on site.
What is being built at St. Laurent Boulevard south of Industrial Road?
The committee approved a four-building development that would add 911 new homes and a new city park. The design includes two 30-storey buildings, one 13-storey building, and one 11-storey building. The zoning change allows buildings up to 100 metres tall, up from the previous limit of 50 metres.
What is happening in Barrhaven East under these zoning changes?
In Barrhaven East, the committee approved a plan to develop 16 residential buildings, each four storeys or lower, on Woodroffe Avenue south of Paul Métivier Drive. The planned development would add between 160 and 172 new homes.
What is being built in Kanata North?
The committee approved three six-storey apartment buildings at the corner of Kanata Avenue and Terry Fox Drive, adding 182 new homes. The changes allowed include increasing the maximum building height and reducing landscaping and bike parking requirements.
What other housing was approved near Bank Street?
The committee also approved an Official Plan amendment that would allow a new residential subdivision west of Bank Street and north of the future Earl Armstrong Road extension. The new subdivision would add 350 new homes and a community park.
Do these changes take effect right away?
Planning and Housing Committee approval is a step in the process. These zoning amendments typically go to full City Council for final approval. Residents can follow the City's planning file for each site at the City of Ottawa's development applications page. Full council must still vote on them.
Where can residents follow housing and planning decisions in Ottawa?
Residents can read about planning committee decisions on the City of Ottawa's meetings page at pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com, and follow elected councillors' positions at the voche.me Ottawa tracker at /on/ottawa-2026/tracker.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- CityNews Ottawa: New zoning amendments introduced for more housing across Ottawaottawa.citynews.ca
- City of Ottawa planning meetingspub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com
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