London neighbours slam more infill developments
While Londoners have generally united behind The London Plan’s philosophy that the city must slow sprawl through intensification, delivering on that promise is fueling division.
On Monday, a pair of higher-density developments became the latest test of council’s commitment to intensification.
Dozens of frustrated neighbours attended a meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee to oppose a rezoning request to permit two five-unit townhouse buildings at 489 Upper Queens St. after a large single family home was demolished.
Virtually every speaker expressed an acceptance to infill development in principle, but the design, scale and density of the 10, two-storey townhouses was too much.
Among the arguments made by neighbours against the proposed development:
“If you say yes to this, then you’re going to have a very difficult time saying no to the next developer who buys one of our lots.”
“People will be buying [the townhouses] for capital gain, and rent them out to who knows who, then you start to get a deterioration of the area.”
“I was outside the other day looking at that area thinking of the box that is going to be staring down at me in my backyard.”
“All the homes are million-dollar homes with large lots. There are no townhouses.”
Townhouse development proposed on Upper Queens Street (Source: City of London)
A single neighbour spoke in favour of adding more affordably priced housing to the stretch of high-end single-family homes, “[I’m] pushing to make sure London stays a place where lots of people can live and help grow a thriving community.”
Despite the public pressure, most members of the planning committee echoed the need for intensification as it’s spelled out in The London Plan.
“With 47,000 units of housing needed in this city, I think 10 is a pretty gentle intensification in this area,” explained Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis.
“We’re at the point where all neighbourhoods have a role to play in this housing crisis, and that includes accepting, welcoming, and celebrating infill,” added Coun. Skylar Franke.
The planning committee voted 4-1 in favour of the proposal, Coun. Steve Lehman opposed.
Infill developments have increasingly fuelled contentious public meetings at city hall as the community struggles to achieve The London Plan’s intensification targets in existing neighbourhoods.
The next item on the planning committee agenda saw a similar debate unfold.
Residential building proposed at 608 Commissioners Road W. (Source: City of London)
Residents expressed concern about the scale of a six-storey, 95-unit building proposed at the corner of Commissioners Road west and Westmount Crescent.
Their ward councillor saying that many infill decisions fly in the face of the existing neighbourhood’s wishes.
“We shove a new development down their throats without taking their very well-based concerns into account,” argued Coun. Paul Van Meerbergen.
“We have to ask ourselves, where are we going to do intensification?” Lewis asked his colleagues. “To me, the answer is that it’s got to be shared around the city.”
Van Meerbergen suggested that the challenge stems from building designs brought forward by developers, not resistance from neighbours with not-in-my-back-yard (NIMBY) attitudes.
“It’s not about NIMBY-ism. It’s about the size, scope, and degree of the intensification,” he said.
After another lengthy debate, the Planning and Environment Committee recommended the six-storey building at 608 Commissioners Rd. W. be approved.
Council makes a final decision on both rezoning requests on Feb.14.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
'We can and we must do better': First ever Air Accessibility Summit hits Ottawa
Federal ministers, airline executives and members of the disability community are gathering in Ottawa today for the first ever Air Accessibility Summit.