OTTAWA — On a 4-2 vote Wednesday, the Ottawa Planning Commission agreed to a plan to build a new commercial building in the void between Country Mart and the vacant Stage clothing store. Ottawa architect Kyle Trendel will design the building but told planners the developer hasn’t told him what business will move into the new 23,000-square-foot building. He said he’s been told to design the new building so it could be opened into the building to the south, which had been occupied by Stage and Goody’s. City planning and codes director Wynndee Lee said the proposal will include improvements to the entire mall parking lot between Country Mart and 23rd Street. The landscaping and trees have been neglected over the years, she said. The planners attached some conditions to the proposal, including the landscaping improvements. Those planners who voted against the site plan said they had concerns about some aspects of the proposal and say more time is needed to correct them.
