Ottawa convent development under review

The planners of a controversial development on the site of the Sisters of the Visitation convent in Ottawa's Westboro neighbourhood are going back to the drawing board.

Dozens of people living in the area appeared before the city's planning committee Wednesday to oppose the project.

Ashcroft Developers intends to build 600 condominiums and apartments in three highrise buildings around the convent.

But in an unusual move, the committee invoked a section of the Municipal Act that allows the ward councillor, city staff and the developer to sit down and try to negotiate a new deal.

The group has until Nov. 16 to come up with a new plan for the site.

Many residents say the size and scope of the project will cause overcrowding and increase traffic congestion.

The developer declined an interview with CBC, but Christine Leadman, the councillor for the area, said some of her constituents think city officials appear too supportive of the plans.

"When they see staff promoting these types of developments in contrast to policies developed by the community, these are issues the public have grave concerns about," she said.

Area resident Sarah Heath said neighbourhood opponents of construction around the former convent have spoken to the developer and the city.

"But each time the staff reports back, they pretty much say what the developer wants, and the community doesn't think it's been heard," she said.

The Sisters of the Visitation Convent was built in 1865 and is a protected heritage site. The building sits on 2.1 hectares of land along Richmond Road.