Other infill developments face neighbourhood opposition — this one is welcomed
Mounting resistance to infill development in neighbourhoods is testing city council’s commitment to The London Plan’s intensification targets.
However, one prominent project is bucking the trend.
On Monday, following two public participation meetings dominated by neighbours opposed to redevelopments on Upper Queen Street and Westmount Crescent, the Planning and Environment Committee (PEC) heard no opposition to a 12-house subdivision plan at 723 Lorne Ave.
It will be the final phase of the redevelopment of the former Lorne Avenue Public School property.
On 0.74 hectares of land next to the park, Habitat for Humanity will construct 12 houses with secondary units (granny suites) in each basement for a total of 24 residential units.
“What that does is it gives another person a space to live in, and second, it helps that habitat homeowner pay down their mortgage,” explained George De Vlugt from Habitat for Humanity.
“I think it’s positive, it will bring additional vibrancy to the area,” Stephen Spong told CTV News London as he snowplowed his driveway across the street. “I think density is always important, especially in a fast growing city.”
Habitat for Humanity said that in addition to aligning with the city’s intensification targets, increasing the density of its infill developments allows the organization to assist more families.
“Density is very important, because land costs are going up and home building costs are going up,” said De Vlugt.
Concerns expressed by neighbours have been primarily technical, including traffic flow through an exceptionally narrow section of Queens Place.
Civic Administration has developed a plan that will only permit southbound traffic on the narrow segment and construct a new two-direction road north to Lorne Avenue.
If approved by council on Feb. 14, Habitat for Humanity hopes to break ground in spring 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.