METRO NEWS, By Lucy Scholey

Sandy Hill will get a controversial nine-storey student housing building after all.

The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) gave the 180-unit building a stamp of approval last week after developer Viner Assets appealed council’s decision to nix the plan.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said on Tuesday he was disappointed in the OMB ruling.

“I think council made the right decision, but we have to accept the OMB’s decision and move forward,” he said. “My hope is that it does blend in with the community. I just felt that it was too intense and too high for Laurier Avenue.”

The mid-rise, mixed-use building will sit on the corner of Laurier Avenue East and Friel Street, near the University of Ottawa. It will have a fitness centre, student amenity area, underground parking, commercial space on the ground level for a café or restaurant, and student suites.

Six existing buildings would need to be demolished for the plan.

The project also needs a zoning change to allow for the mid-rise building in a low-rise neighbourhood.

In March, council members voted against the project 14-9. It was a surprising move, given that the planning committee had recommended it be approved.

During the OMB hearing last October, there were arguments that the taller building would threaten the heritage character of the neighbourhood. However, the OMB ruled that only one building in the vicinity has heritage designation. It will not be impacted by the development.

Further, the Viner building will be compatible with the neighbourhood, which has several mid-rise buildings in the surrounding area, reads the decision.

The new building will accommodate more than 600 students.

“This is an appropriate development close to the University of Ottawa in what is considered to be a downtown neighbourhood with access to a wide range of amenities and services and proximity to employment,” the decision reads.

Related Story: Sandy Hill Demonstration Calls for Protection of Heritage Character, September 18, 2014