Sophie Demers

LJI Reporter

Plans for the construction of a three-storey eight-unit multifamily building at 13 rue Symmes have been submitted to the City of Gatineau. The site located in Old Aylmer is currently cleared after a house fire destroyed the previous two-unit home in January 2023.

The developers have asked for an exemption from the city’s requirement to have a structural or underground parking lot. Both the project and the exemption are recommended by the Service de l’Urbanisme et de Développement Durable (SUDD).

The architecture and heritage value of the Old Aylmer neighbourhood require new constructions to blend into the surrounding area. According to city documents, the proposed building is inspired by similar architecture. The four trees on the property will be preserved and seven more trees will be planted.

The owner presented the project to the Aylmer Heritage Association (APA), and the association responded with several recommendations. The owner followed some of the recommendations. Those not followed were to reduce the height to 2.5 storeys, the number of units to six, and to reduce the number of balconies.

The applicants note that they would not be reducing the number of units, as their goal is to densify the neighbourhood.

Photo 1: The previous building located at 13 rue Symmes that burned down in January 2023

Photo 2: The proposed construction on the now cleared site. A three-storey, eight-unit multifamily building.

Photo credit: Courtesy of the city of Gatineau