Mayor promises to eliminate 13 development studies as housing starts climb 22%
AI Article Summary
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe of Ottawa announced plans to eliminate half of the city's development studies, streamlining the process to boost housing starts which have already increased by 22% in 2025. The new strategy aims to cut down on red tape by removing mandatory studies like wind and shadow analyses, as well as presenting a new Zoning By-law to allow greater density near transit. This move follows a year of notable growth in the city's residential construction sector. Sutcliffe emphasized the importance of aligning city planning with updated growth projections, aiming to make Ottawa more housing-friendly.
What This Means for Canadian Contractors
For Canadian builders, this means a potential reduction in project timelines and costs due to fewer regulatory hurdles. The elimination of certain mandatory studies could speed up the development approval process, allowing builders to commence construction more quickly. However, this streamlined process will also require builders to remain adaptable and compliant with new zoning regulations that focus on increased density, especially near transit areas.
