Farhi Developments’ tower faces growing opposition on eve of council decision
Wearing shirts emblazoned with ‘No Skyscrapers at the Forks’, opponents of a proposal to build a high rise building immediately behind one of London’s most historic streetscapes held a rally on Monday evening.
A rezoning application by Farhi Developments seeks to build a 40-storey high rise at 435-451 Ridout Street that would include 280 residential units, commercial, and office space.
Despite the property’s proximity to the flood plain, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has also approved the building design, albeit with a number of conditions.
Opposition to the proposal, however, appears to be gaining momentum.
“To put a 40-storey tower where at present only four stories is allowed, that’s ten times taller,” explained Kelley McKeating, President of ACO London.
McKeating added that almost 900 signatures have been gathered on an online petition opposing the rezoning request.
Two weeks ago, city hall’s Planning and Environment Committee recommended (4-1) approval of the rezoning, based on a recommendation by city planners.
A report to the committee concluded that the proposal satisfies the policies included in The London Plan, the city’s official plan.
No Skyscrapers at the Forks rally in London, Ont. on June 14, 2021. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV London)
No Skyscrapers at the Forks rally in London, Ont. on June 14, 2021. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV London)
Londoners at the rally, however, argued the tower would be immediately behind ‘Banker’s Row’, a series of yellow-brick buildings dating back to 1838 that originally housed five bank headquarters.
It’s one of only four National Historic Sites in London.
The building would also be next door to Eldon House (1834), the city’s oldest residence, and overlook Harris Park and the Forks of the Thames.
“It’s not just so-called ‘heritage advocates’ who really care about this most historic street in London,” explains McKeating. “We don’t want to see a 40-storey skyscraper towering over it.”
Those participating in the rally pointed to the large parking lot directly across Ridout, which is owned by Farhi Holdings, as a much more appropriate location.
No Skyscrapers at the Forks rally in London, Ont. on June 14, 2021. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV London)
McKeating adds that policies intended to protect heritage buildings should be council’s priority, including parts of The London Plan.
“We are just asking them to follow their own rules and deny the rezoning application.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW What Canada is doing about the toxic forever chemicals in drinking water
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson Airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Here's why experts don't think cloud seeding played a role in Dubai's downpour
Scientists say it's highly unlikely cloud seeding is responsible for the heavy rains that have caused flooding in the United Arab Emirates this month, and that climate change is the more likely culprit.