A City of Ottawa committee has approved RioCan REIT’s plan to build six towers containing about 1,700 multi-residential units in the nation’s capital.

The Ottawa Business Journal reported that the city’s planning and housing committee endorsed the project slated to be constructed at 1660 Carling Avenue. The decision advances the project and likely increases its chances of receiving final approval from city council.

The committee approved a zoning bylaw amendment that would allow for height limits at 1640 and 1660 Carling to be raised to 40 storeys from nine.

RioCan has applied to develop six mixed-use towers ranging from 18 to 40 storeys, the OBJ reported. The OBJ reported that a draft site plans calls for a quarter of buildings to comprise 40, 37, 28 and 24 storeys and contain about 1,335 rental apartments.

RioCan is also seeking to develop two condominium towers comprising 380 units, revising initial plans to build a 20-storey condo tower and a nine-storey seniors residence, the OBJ reported.

Lorne Scott, a realtor with Royal LePage Team Realty, previously told the OBJ that the Carling Avenue corridor is ripe for redevelopment. His firm has an office near RioCan’s proposed development site.

“I think Carling Avenue, while still rundown or tired in some stretches, will be a hot spot for the next 20 years,” Scott told the OBJ.

Rendering: RioCan REIT