Your City Hall is Planning Some Big Changes
Alright, let's talk about what's moving through the municipal pipeline, because the real story is never on the Hill – it’s always just off it. Looking at the latest permits and applications, there are a few things that caught my eye, beyond just the usual canopy additions in Water Lily Court.
First up, it seems The Bani Hashi Society is really leaning into temporary structures. We're seeing *two* separate permits for installing five temporary tents each at 900 Eglinton Avenue East, Ward 3. One set is for June 16 to June 27, 2026, and the other for July 26 to August 6, 2026. Each permit rings in at $6,500. This kind of double-booking suggests a significant recurring event, and it's interesting to see the city facilitating this well in advance. What exactly requires five tents *twice* in a summer, you wonder? I do too.
But the biggest one, the one that really hints at our future, is the residential apartment building application at 1970 and 1980 Fowler Drive in Ward 8.
* **Application Number:** OZ/OPA 25 23
* **Type:** Residential apartment building
* **Address:** 1970 and 1980 Fowler Drive
* **Ward:** 8
* **Status:** Application in Process
This isn't just a small renovation; this is a full-blown rezoning and Official Plan Amendment application, according to the City's active development applications. It means someone wants to change what the land is currently zoned for, likely to allow for much denser housing. We all know how much Ottawa needs more housing, but these types of developments always bring out the neighbourhood groups.
It's clear our city continues to grow, pushing outwards and upwards. Keep an eye on that Fowler Drive application, because what happens there could set a precedent for how we build out the rest of the 613.
Simone Okafor-Bouchard, MiTL Sports Desk, Ottawa.
Pascale and the morning crew always break down these city updates — catch them live at mornings.live.