Changes sought to redevelopment plan for crumbling cookie factory site
After 14 years of decay, redevelopment of the former McCormick-Beta Brands cookie factory property at 1156 Dundas Street may be regaining momentum.
The developer has applied for several zoning amendments, but Michael Kaye says some of those changes would undo concessions he and other neighbours fought for seven years ago.
A senior lifestyle village rising in height and density towards Dundas Street was put forward by the developer in 2015, including repurposing the historic factory.
“We thought there was a deal made,” says Kaye. “The community input was there, council was there, this was all decided on. This was voted on. This was a done deal.”
Kaye says two of the changes are of greatest concern:
- Permission to build townhouses rather than single family homes backing onto the rear yards of existing homes on Albany Street
- Increasing the height of an apartment along McCormick Boulevard from four to six storeys
A former cookie factory at 1156 Dundas Street is seen on Oct. 5, 2022. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)
He believes the request reneges on the compromises reached seven years ago during public input meetings.
In their report to the Planning and Environment Committee, city staff support townhouses behind the existing homes, but not the taller apartment building.
“Staff are recommending that the current zone regulations for density and height are appropriate for the block and should be maintained,” the report reads.
The McCormick Area Secondary Plan that governs development in the area is seven years old.
It pre-dates approval of The London Plan, approval of the bus rapid transit route along Dundas Street, and the housing crisis.
Kaye emphasizes his neighbourhood is not opposed to development or density — it simply already accepted a plan for the site.
“If you look at this property and what was agreed to, I think it was an over reach of density to begin with, and I think if you look at the plan now, the density is still there,” he says.
The Planning and Environment Committee will make a recommendation before council reaches a final decision Oct. 17.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6991281.1722999586!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Armed suspects at large after 1 person killed, another injured in Wheatland County
Mounties say armed, dangerous and unidentified individuals remain at large after one person was killed and another was wounded in Wheatland County on Tuesday.
'This is the Canada team,' former U.S. ambassador to Canada says of Harris VP pick
Following the news of U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris' pick for a running mate, former U.S. ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman says he believes the pair would be ideal for Canada-U.S. relations.
Summer McIntosh returns to Toronto after historic Olympic performance
Summer McIntosh is back home in Toronto after making history at the 2024 Olympic Games, but the 17-year-old swimmer admits the reality of her record-breaking performance in Paris hasn’t 'fully sunk in yet.'
Canada updates U.K. travel advisory due to violent clashes between police, protesters
Canada is advising those visiting the U.K. to exercise caution due to ongoing demonstrations and violent clashes between protesters and police.
Saskatoon police find Mackenzie Trottier's body in landfill, lead suspect died in 2023
The body of 22-year-old Mackenzie Trottier, who had been missing since December 2020, was found at the Saskatoon landfill, police confirmed on Tuesday.
A former employee speaks out about Frank Stronach four decades after an alleged assault
Staring out from a sepia-tinged photo is a smiling young woman with her blond hair swept up into a ponytail as she puts hay in a net in a horse stall.
Toronto police investigating after video appears to show officer giving citizen the middle finger
Toronto police say an internal investigation is underway after a video circulating on social media appeared to show an officer giving a citizen the middle finger over an argument about alleged illegal parking last week.
Boxer Imane Khelif advances to gold-medal bout with another victory amid gender misconceptions
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will press her fight for an Olympic gold medal Tuesday night amid the intense scrutiny over misconceptions about her gender.
U.K. government calls on Elon Musk to act responsibly amid provocative posts as unrest grips country
The British government has called on Elon Musk to act responsibly after the tech billionaire used his social media platform X to unleash a barrage of posts that officials say risk inflaming the violent unrest gripping the country.