Convent Garden

Across the street from our front door is a public bike/pedestrian path bordered by grass and trees. On the other side of this pathway is a wall, a wall which for many years enclosed a cloistered community of nuns: the Monastery of the Soeurs de la Visitation.

Last year, the 100-year old convent was sold and the property was bought by a developing company. Despite having bid on the property under the guidelines specified in a Community Design Plan and the city’s zoning laws, once acquiring the property the developers made it clear they were doing their own thing.

They have proposed a densely packed conglomeration of condos, retail and hotels that completely disregard the needs, interests and infrastructure of the community. Where the city said 6 stories at the front, they say 9. Where the city said 4 stories at the back (facing our home) they say 6. Where the city said 300 units, they aim for over 600.

Yes, I know – some will say this is the price we pay for living in a popular neighbourhood like Westboro. People will say that we’re all a bunch of NIMBYs (although in our case, we’d be NIMFYs) and that we want urban development, but not in our community.

I’m all for urban development. But I’m also for democracy and community rights. I am furious that a private company can completely disregard community and municipal guidelines in order to milk extra profits off a piece of land. The potential impacts of this development are huge and yet despite all the community meetings, protests, apperances at City Hall, letters, petitions, etc – it seems private companies get to trump citizen rights.

However, there is a ray of hope in this grim tale of corporate greed. A proposal has been brought forth that asks the city to purchase the back portion of the property and make a public ornamental garden that would be connected to the public pathway. The community around would subsidize this purchase through increased property taxes.

What is needed now is that the people from all across the city step forward to support this idea. If you live in Ottawa, please help. More info at conventgarden.ca