Proposed Urban Boundary Expansion at Fernbank Rd & Flewellyn Rd (West of Stittsville) - What you need to know
🎧 I discussed this with CTV News Ottawa and CFRA’s Morning Rush, you can listen below:
Claridge Homes has submitted an application to expand Ottawa’s urban boundary onto lands at 6435 Fernbank Road and 6437 Flewellyn Road (currently in Rideau-Jock Ward). If approved, it could set the stage for a future community of about 2,391 homes on approximately 112 hectares / 277 acres of land that is currently designated Rural Countryside.
Let me be clear: I do not support this proposal.
^ Lands highlighted in yellow are proposed for development
Ottawa does need more housing but where we build matters. The City has been focusing on adding housing within the existing urban boundary, in places that can be serviced efficiently and support walkable, complete communities. This proposal does the opposite: it pushes growth outward onto rural land, near sensitive natural features (including wetland/forest areas) and beside existing rural/estate-lot homes.
Here are my concerns:
Servicing and cost: A development of this size would require major water/sewer infrastructure and additional municipal services.
Traffic and road impacts: Adding thousands of homes here would increase pressure on an area that already relies heavily on commuting by car.
Loss of rural land and natural areas: Once farmland and natural spaces are converted, they’re gone for good.
Piecemeal planning: The Province changed the rules in 2024 so landowners can bring these requests forward outside a comprehensive review, which makes responsible, city-wide planning much harder.
This is not approved. City staff will review the application and bring forward a recommendation, with a target committee date of May 19, 2026.
💬 How you can weigh in (it matters):
Email the City planner Colette Gorni (email: Colette.Gorni@ottawa.ca) and include “Written Objection – Official Plan Amendment D01-01-26-0001” in the subject line. The initial comment deadline is March 11, 2026.
(If you want to preserve your ability to participate later in the process, getting a written comment on record is a good idea.)
I’ll keep residents updated as this moves through the public process.