Ontario Construction News staff writer
The planning and housing committee of the City of Ottawa has given a thumbs up to zoning changes for two big projects, which include a large indoor water park in Kanata and a 32-storey residential building in Hintonburg.
The committee’s recommendations will be sent to City Council for final approval on Sept. 9.
The zoning amendment for a year-round recreational facility was approved, located southwest of Highway 417 and Palladium Drive. The city sees this project as a major economic driver that could create jobs and enhance local tourism.
According to planning documents submitted to the city, the construction phase is expected to generate around 445 jobs, with about 270 full-time positions once the facility opens.
Palladium Resort Development Limited Partnership put forward the application. The design work is by Mc Robie Architects and Interior Designers, while JFSA Canada Inc. served as the planning consultant offering justification for the project.
The planned complex at 2775 and 2785 Palladium Dr. includes:
A 13,379-sq. m. indoor water park featuring waterslides that will exit and re-enter through the main glass structure. A family entertainment center along with a 1,011-sq. m. restaurant. A seven-storey hotel with 236 rooms. A surface parking lot with space for 704 vehicles.
340 Parkdale Ave. and the Carleton Tavern
The committee also approved changes to the Official Plan and zoning to allow for a high-density mixed-use development at 340 Parkdale Ave., close to Tunney’s Pasture Station.
Taggart Realty Management is managing this development. Stantec Consulting Ltd. and Hobin Architecture are involved as engineering, planning, and design consultants.
The new plan allows for 386 homes near rapid transit links, reduced from an initial proposal of 465 units. This development features a residential tower that stands at 32 stories atop a five-to-six-story base. To lessen its impact on nearby homes, the tower will be positioned toward the northwest side of the site.
This project will require tearing down the current Carleton Tavern located on the block southwest of Parkdale Avenue and Spencer Street. Structural reviews submitted with the application indicated that preserving this old tavern during deep excavation wasn’t feasible due to its age, deterioration issues, and needed cleanup from groundwater contamination.
A new two-storey commercial building will replace it on site, designed to reflect what was there before in terms of architectural style. Future plans must incorporate both this replacement building as well as create a public plaza accessible to residents and visitors alongside areas designated for shops and services.
Progress in Ottawa’s housing market
The meeting also provided an update halfway through the year regarding homebuilding in Ottawa. In just six months into 2026, Ottawa approved almost 6,100 new homes while issuing permits for over 5,800 properties; there were more than 4,100 housing starts recorded during this period.
City Council has pledged support towards constructing a total of 151,000 market homes by year-end in 2031. Since tracking began in January last year (2023), approvals have been granted for over 74,000 new homes-this represents more than half (49 percent) of what’s needed by their target date.
This year alone has seen recommendations from committee members supporting land-use permissions which could lead up nearly another additional set totaling around three thousand four hundred new houses getting built if council gives its green light today regarding these permissions aimed at adding another three hundred eighty-six residences too!
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