Committee of Adjustment / Comité de dérogation
DECISION MINOR VARIANCE
Date of Decision: February 13, 2026
Panel: 1 - Urban
File: D08-02-25/A-00208
Application: Minor Variance under section 45 of the Planning Act
Applicant: Islam Care Centre
Property Address: 312 Lisgar Street
Ward: 14 - Somerset
Legal Description: Part of Lot 36 (South Lisgar Street), Registered Plan 12281
Zoning: I1A [1912]
Zoning By-law: 2008-250
Heard: February 4, 2026, in person and by videoconference
APPLICANT’S PROPOSAL AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION
1The Applicant wants to construct a three-storey institutional building, as shown on plans filed with the Committee.
REQUESTED VARIANCE
2The Applicant seeks the Committee’s authorization to permit a reduced front yard setback of 0 metres above the first storey, whereas the By-law requires a minimum front yard setback of 1.7 metres.
3The property is the subject of a Site Plan Control application (File No. D07-12-25-0105).
PUBLIC HEARING
Oral Submissions Summary
4Saide Sayah and Genassa Bates, agents for the Applicant, provided a slide presentation, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary-Treasurer and available from the Committee Coordinator upon request.
5Responding to questions from the Panel, Ms. Bates advised that the proposed building was shifted closer to the front lot line for the second and third floor to comply with the rear yard setback requirement and to have the least impact on the rear yard neighbour for privacy and shadowing. She also advised that the proposed building would allow for development on a smaller parcel with minimal impact to trees.
6Mr. Sayah advised that, while the use of the proposed rooftop terrace had not been confirmed, there would be no noise or spillover lighting. He highlighted that parking would not be an issue as the building is located near transit and members of the congregation would be taking transit or walking to the centre.
7City Planner Penelope Horn confirmed that she had reviewed the revised plans and had no concerns with the application.
DECISION AND REASONS OF THE COMMITTEE: APPLICATION GRANTED
Application Must Satisfy Statutory Four-Part Test
8The Committee has the power to authorize a minor variance from the provisions of the Zoning By-law if, in its opinion, the application meets all four requirements under subsection 45(1) of the Planning Act. It requires consideration of whether the variance is minor, is desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure, and whether the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan and the Zoning By-law are maintained.
Evidence
9Evidence considered by the Committee included all oral submissions made at the hearing, as highlighted above, and the following written submissions held on file with the Secretary-Treasurer and available from the Committee Coordinator upon request:
Application and supporting documents, including cover letter, plans, tree information report, photo of the posted sign, and a sign posting declaration.
City Planning Report received January 29, 2026, with no concerns; received December 4, 2025, with no concerns.
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority email received January 27, 2026, with no objections; received December 1, 2025, with no objections.
Hydro Ottawa email received January 28, 2026, with comments; received December 2, 2025, with comments.
J. Meloche, resident, email received December 3, 2025, with comments.
E. Latessa, resident, email received December 4, 2025, opposed.
Effect of Submissions on Decision
10The Committee considered all written and oral submissions relating to the application in making its decision and granted the application.
11Based on the evidence, the Committee is satisfied that the requested variance meets all four requirements under subsection 45(1) of the Planning Act.
12The Committee notes that the City’s Planning Report raises “no concerns” regarding the application.
13The Committee also notes that no compelling evidence was presented that the variance would result in any unacceptable adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
14Considering the circumstances, the Committee finds that, because the proposal fits well in the area, the requested variance is, from a planning and public interest point of view, desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure on the property, and relative to the neighbouring lands.
15The Committee also finds that the requested variance maintains the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan because the proposal respects the character of the neighbourhood.
16In addition, the Committee finds that the requested variance maintains the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law because the proposal represents orderly development that is compatible with the surrounding area.
17Moreover, the Committee finds that the requested variance is minor because it will not create any unacceptable adverse impact on abutting properties or the neighbourhood in general.
18THE COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT ORDERS that the application is granted and the variance to the Zoning By-law is authorized, subject to the location and size of the proposed construction complying with the revised plans filed with the Committee of Adjustment on February 3, 2026, as they relate to the requested variance.
"Ann M. Tremblay" ANN M. TREMBLAY CHAIR
"John Blatherwick" JOHN BLATHERWICK MEMBER
"Colin Haskin" COLIN HASKIN MEMBER
"Arto Keklikian" ARTO KEKLIKIAN MEMBER
"Sharon Lécuyer" SHARON LÉCUYER MEMBER
I certify this is a true copy of the Decision of the Committee of Adjustment of the City of Ottawa, dated February 13, 2026.
“Michel Bellemare” MICHEL BELLEMARE SECRETARY-TREASURER
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO APPEAL
To appeal this decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), a completed appeal form and the filing fee must be submitted via one of the below options and must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. on March 5, 2026.
OLT E-FILE SERVICE – An appeal can be filed online through the E-File Portal . First-time users will need to register for a My Ontario Account. Select [Ottawa (City): Committee of Adjustment] as the Approval Authority. To complete the appeal, fill in all the required fields and provide the filing fee by credit card.
BY EMAIL - Appeal packages can be submitted by email to cofa@ottawa.ca. The appeal form is available on the OLT website at Forms | Ontario Land Tribunal. Please indicate on the appeal form that payment will be made by credit card.
IN PERSON – Appeal packages can be delivered to the Secretary-Treasurer, Committee of Adjustment, 101 Centrepointe Drive, 4th floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K2G 5K7. The appeal form is available on the OLT website at Forms | Ontario Land Tribunal. In person payment can be made by certified cheque or money order made payable to the Ontario Minister of Finance, or by credit card. Please indicate on the appeal form if you wish to pay by credit card.
Please note only one of the above options needs to be completed. If your preferred method of appeal is not available at the time of filing, the appeal must be filed with one of the other two options.
The Ontario Land Tribunal has established a filing fee of $400.00 per type of application with an additional filing fee of $25.00 for each secondary application.
Only the applicant, the Minister or a specified person or public body that has an interest in the matter may appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal. A “specified person” does not include an individual or a community association.
There are no provisions for the Committee of Adjustment or the Ontario Land Tribunal to extend the statutory deadline to file an appeal. If the deadline is not met, the OLT does not have the authority to hold a hearing to consider your appeal.
If you have any questions about the appeal process, please visit File an Appeal | Ontario Land Tribunal
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Committee of Adjustment City of Ottawa Ottawa.ca/CommitteeofAdjustment cofa@ottawa.ca 613-580-2436
Comité de dérogation Ville d’Ottawa Ottawa.ca/Comitedederogation cded@ottawa.ca 613-580-2436