Community Plan

A plan for success.

Our collaborative Community Plan is the ever-evolving result of a series of public workshops and open houses. We welcome your input.

Pre-Application Phase

2016-2017

Heron Gate 7 Development
Public Open House Sept 27, 2016

Early 2018

Master Plan Start up and Community Visioning Sessions
Public Open House - Jan 23, 2018 Public Visioning Session - Feb 24, 2019 Public Visioning Session - Apr 7, 2018

Late 2018

Concept Plan Development & Study Inititiation
Carleton Studio Reviews - Oct-Dec 2018 HG Residents Meeting - Dec 6, 2018

Jan-Mar 2019

Concept Plan & Technical Studies Submissions
Public Open Hosue Feb 11, 2019 HG Residents Meeting Feb 12, 2019 Public Open House March 25, 2019

Post Application Phase

2019

Secondary Plan/ OPA/ ZBA Municipal Review and Approval
On-Going Community Consultation & Planning Committee City Council

2020-2021

Revised Plan submitted to City of Ottawa
Community Information Session

August 2021

Heron Gate Social Framework Approval
Hazelview signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Ottawa

December 2023

Site Plan Approval for Heron Gate 5 - Phase 1
City of Ottawa approves site plan for Heron Gate 5 - Phase 1
We Are Here

2025

Heron Gate Redevelopment
Construction for the first phase began in May 2025 on the land located at the corner of Heron Road and Sandalwood Drive

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Master Plan

Places to Live

We’re helping to foster the continued growth and diversification of Heron Gate with a proposed 5,500 new residences representing a variety of housing types, including affordable and family friendly 1, 2 and 3+ bedroom units across a variety of built forms including towns and low, mid and high rises.

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Places to Move

We’re proposing a series of new routes, to complement the existing public road network and further enhance shared-use between vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. In the future, moving through Heron Gate will be healthier and safer.

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Places to Play

We’re proposing an ambitious public realm that provides open, bright, safe and green pedestrian connections throughout the community. A sprawling central park and numerous parkettes will offer the community an array of outdoor space to enjoy, and strike the perfect balance between the natural and built environments.

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RENDERINGS

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Frequently asked questions

  • What is an Official Plan Amendment? And what does this mean for Heron Gate?

    The amendment to the Official Plan means that the City of Ottawa has approved Hazelview’s application to revitalize Heron Gate. Some of the redevelopment highlights include:

    - The addition of approx. 4,500 new residential homes
    - Addition and enhancement of new and existing green space, including parkland dedication of a 1.6-hectare park
    - Addition and enhancement of new and existing transportation connections for pedestrian, cycling, and vehicular traffic

  • What kind of housing is being built? And how much?

    The number of residential units at full build-out is estimated at approx. 6,400. Of these, approximately 1,300 are the suites in the 4 high-rise towers and 1 mid-rise tower that will remain on site. These include 2850 and 2870 Cedarwood Drive, as well as 2840, 2851, 2861 Baycrest Drive. The remaining will be newly constructed housing.

    The plan includes a diverse mix of housing that meets residents’ needs and reflects the community’s social fabric. This includes bachelor, 1, 2, 3, and 4+ bedroom family-style units, and ground floor accessible units. There will be a mix of low, mid, and high-rise buildings.

  • What is the timing of the next phase of development?

    The entire redevelopment is a approx. 20–25-year long process.

    Construction of the next phase of development is slated to begin in May 2025.

  • Will Heron Gate residents need to move?

    Residents living in any of the 559 garden homes or in the low-rise buildings located within Heron Gate will eventually need to move but will be given the option to stay within the Heron Gate community at the same rent. Hazelview has committed that no future demolition of occupied units will take place at Heron Gate unless affected residents are given the option to relocate to newly-constructed equivalent units at the same rent. Affected residents may also be given the additional option to relocate to newly renovated, similar sized units at the same rent in retained buildings.

  • What is the definition of affordable housing in Heron Gate?

    Affordable housing in Heron Gate has been defined alongside the City of Ottawa’s Planning & Housing department and is consistent with the City’s definitions for affordable housing.

    The 510 secured affordable housing units in the existing high-rise buildings are defined as a housing unit with a monthly occupancy cost at, or below, average monthly city-wide rents by unit type. Average monthly city-wide rents are determined by an annual survey for the prior calendar year published by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

    The 510 newly constructed, secured affordable units are defined as a housing unit with a maximum monthly occupancy cost, by unit type, using the Average Income by Household Income Deciles for the City of Ottawa as outlined.

  • Will there be any affordable housing included in the plans?

    Yes. The plan includes securing and/or building 1,020 affordable housing units across a range of unit sizes and types.

    It's important to recognize the different types of affordable housing options available, such as Secured Affordable Existing and Secured Affordable New. "Secured Affordable Existing" refers to a housing unit with monthly occupancy costs at or below the city's average rent for that unit type, based on the previous year's Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) annual rent survey. In contrast, "Secured Affordable New" refers to a housing unit with a maximum occupancy cost determined by the Average Household Income for that unit type.

    For this development, 255 units in the five existing apartment blocks have been designated as "Secure Affordable Existing" for 20 years. Five years after the Official Plan Amendment takes effect, another 255 units in these blocks will receive the same designation for 20 years from that point.

    Additionally, 510 new units to be constructed within Heron Gate after the Official Plan Amendment will be designated as "Secure Affordable New" units. Approximately 10% of the units in each phase of the redevelopment will be designated as such by Hazelview, and this designation will last for 10 years from the date specified in a written statement.

  • How will this benefit current residents?

    A Social Framework that commits to affordable housing, social enterprise, green space, and more were developed in response to community feedback and to benefit Heron Gate residents.

  • How can I participate in the process?

    Please email info@herongatecommunity.com to learn more about opportunities to participate in the process.