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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.