Planning committee rejects Kanata golf course redevelopment

Councillors vote 7-1 against ClubLink’s 1,500-home subdivision at Kanata Golf and Country Club

ClubLink has proposed 1,544 homes and apartments on its Kanata Golf and Country Club. The areas in yellow would contain detached homes. (City of Ottawa)

Ottawa’s planning committee has rejected a proposal by the owner of the Kanata Golf and Country Club to turn the course into a housing subdivision, but two related legal challenges are still in play.

City staff rarely recommend the committee reject a development, but called ClubLink’s proposal to build 1,544 homes with developers Richcraft and Minto “premature.”

High-tech magnate Terry Matthews weighed in during Thursday’s virtual meeting, praising Kanata’s existing balance of housing and green space, and urging the committee “not to screw it up.”

And if you think I’m going to take an area like the two golf courses I own in Kanata North and have them changed into some kind of buildings — forget it! You have to hold the green space,” Matthews said.

Chris Teron, son of the late “Father of Kanata” Bill Teron, said his dad would have been “horrified” at the loss of green space.

“It defies all his good planning principles, and the reason people choose to live there,” said Teron.

Committee voted 7-1 to reject ClubLink’s proposal, with only Coun. Jeff Leiper going against the grain. The file now goes to full city council Dec. 9.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/kanata-golf-subdivision-planning-decision-1.5817278