Land deal to relieve overcrowded school in northwest London divides councillors
Just five years after opening, Sir Arthur Currie Public School accommodates half of its students in 22 portables that crowd its playground.
However, an agreement to expedite construction of a second public school in northwest London is dividing council along ideological lines.
Auburn Developments has offered to sell a property on the south side of Sunningdale Road to the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) if city hall permits housing to instead be constructed in a property on the north side of the road, abutting the city’s Urban Growth Boundary.
The TVDSB believes avoiding expropriation could accelerate construction of a new school in northwest London.
In 2017, Sir Arthur Currie P.S. opened for 530 students, but now has an enrolment of about 1,000.
On Tuesday, the Planning and Environment Committee debated zoning changes required by the proposed land deal.
Coun. Stephen Turner suggested that the land deal circumvents the municipality’s established planning process.
“We talk about the community benefit, but that’s almost Machiavellian by framing it that the ends justify the means,” he told his committee colleagues.
“I’m concerned about this and I think it sets a really inappropriate precedent,” Turner added.
Coun. Jesse Helmer said TVDSB has the option to expropriate the necessary land, warning the proposed land deal will only fuel more housing construction and demand for even more schools.
“We are really accelerating the residential [construction] at a time when we really need to be accelerating the school building,” Helmer explained.
Councillors who support the land deal pushed back against claims it would contribute to urban sprawl into farmland.
“This is not sprawl. This is within the Urban Growth Boundary,” argued Coun. Shawn Lewis.
The committee voted 4-1 to support the rezoning.
Deputy Mayor Josh Morgan says the land deal will see a new school built sooner and at a lower cost to taxpayers by avoiding expropriation.
“What we have are two willing partners in the school board and the developer to find a negotiated path forward,” says Morgan. “Free of expropriation.”
City council will make its final decision May 3.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I am a Quebecer': Governor General hits back at criticism of her French language skills
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon insists her lack of French language proficiency does not hinder her ability to represent Canadians, after several Quebec politicians this week criticized her for not yet being fluent in the language, three years after her appointment.
Israel says it has killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike
The Israeli military said Sunday that it killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike as the Lebanese militant group was reeling from a string of devastating blows and the killing of its overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
opinion How to make the most out of your TFSA
The Tax-Free Savings Account can be a powerful savings tool and investment vehicle. Financial contributor Christopher Liew explains how they work and how to take full advantage of them so you can reach your financial goals faster.
'I think he needs to go serve a few more meals': Ottawa Mission CEO fires back at Ford encampment comments
The CEO of the Ottawa Mission is responding to controversial comments made this week by Premier Doug Ford about those living in homeless encampments that received swift blowback from advocates.
Why Tuesday's vice presidential debate could matter more than history suggests
Tim Walz and JD Vance might have the chance to reshape the political landscape Tuesday in their first and only debate.
Appeals stretch 4 decades for a prisoner convicted on little police evidence
The four men who put Steve Szarewicz away for murder all changed their stories at one time or another, yet Szarewicz still sits behind bars. That's where he has been for almost 43 years.
Bloc pension demands at odds with Liberal political strategy, economic plans
The government has just weeks to decide if it will meet the $16-billion demand from the Bloc Québécois to stave off an election for a few more months, but the stipulation may be at odds with the political and fiscal plans of the Liberals.
At least 64 dead after Helene's deadly march across the U.S. Southeast
Massive rains from powerful Hurricane Helene left people stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue, as the cleanup began from a tempest that killed at least 64 people, caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and knocked out power to millions of people.
Cities are using sheep to graze in urban landscapes and people love it
Along the Cumberland River just north of downtown Nashville, Tenn., tourists on party pontoons float past the recognizable skyline, but they also can see something a little less expected: hundreds of sheep nibbling on the grass along the riverbank.