Submit a Comment

Written comments to the city planner are one of the most effective ways to participate in this process. This tool gives you a starting point — but please rewrite it in your own words before sending.

Planners are experienced at recognizing form letters and coordinated campaigns. A comment that reflects your genuine perspective — even if it's shorter or simpler — carries significantly more weight than a polished template sent by dozens of people word-for-word. Use this as a scaffold, not a script.

Deadline: March 13, 2026. Send your completed email to Jack Smith at jack.smith@ottawa.ca. Include the file numbers in the subject line.

1 Your details

Your name

Address or postal code

Neighbourhood or street (optional)

2 Choose your concerns

Pick 1–3 sections that reflect concerns you genuinely hold. Fewer, well-chosen concerns are more effective than selecting everything. Not sure where to start? Read how I arrived at these arguments →

Height & Density Use this if you're concerned about scale, massing, or neighbourhood transition.

Transit & Parking Use this if you're concerned about traffic, parking supply, or TDM.

Unit Mix & Family Housing Use this if you're concerned about the lack of 2- and 3-bedroom units.

Public Realm & Plaza Use this if you're concerned about publicly accessible space and pedestrian experience.

Proportional Public Benefit Use this if you want to raise questions about what the community receives in exchange for additional density.

Height Increase & Land Value Uplift Use this if you're concerned that significant additional height is being granted and want clarity on what the public receives in return — specifically referencing the land value created by a public planning decision.

3 Rewrite it, then send

The text below is a starting point — please don't send it as-is. Read through it and rewrite it in your own voice. You can keep the structure and the policy references, but change the phrasing. Add a sentence about why you personally care. Mention your street, your kids, your commute — whatever is true for you. That's what makes a comment count.

Open in email app →

Send to: jack.smith@ottawa.ca
Subject: Re: 340 Parkdale – OPA D01-01-26-0002 / ZBLA D02-02-26-0003