Council sends highrise proposal back to the drawing board
A developer’s last minute pledge to keep working with city planners wasn’t enough to salvage a high rise proposal across from Fanshawe College.
Council refused an application by Red Maple Properties to build a 24-storey (259 unit) student-oriented building at the corner of Oxford Street and Ayreswood Avenue overlooking Fanshawe College.
At the November 22 meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee, councillors backed a staff report stating the proposed building would be double the permitted height on the property according to The London Plan, and would exceed the capacity of the sewer connection along Second Street.
Subsequently, in a letter sent November 30 a planning consultant for the developer asked that the rezoning request be sent back to municipal staff for revision because, “All matters relating to this proposal are open for further meaningful review.”
Several councillors, however, took exception to the last minute offer to adjust the proposal, noting the application to develop the site has been under review with the planning department since September 2020 with little movement to meet existing zoning restrictions.
Councillor Helmer told colleagues the letter expressing a desire to change the proposal was, in his opinion, an attempt to salvage substantial application fees already paid to city hall.
A motion to refer the application back to staff lost 7-8, subsequently Council rejected the application 13-2.
Council’s decision to refuse the application means redevelopment of the property goes back to square one.
Afterwards, Mayor Ed Holder said Council sent a message to the developer, “Give it a try based on what the rules are around the city in terms of what we can and can’t accept. We’ve shown flexibility often, but this is one where it was well beyond the range of flexibility from my standpoint.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.