'No one is happy' but councillors still back development plan around Victoria Park
A plan to regulate the height and density of new buildings around London’s Victoria Park, found rare consensus among developers and neighbours — both sides are unsatisfied.
On Monday, the Planning and Environment Committee (PEC) heard from stakeholders who called for the latest version of the Victoria Park Secondary Plan to be sent back to city staff for more consultation and revision.
Mary Ann Hodge of the Friends of Victoria Park said after three years of feeling unheard, many frustrated neighbours have walked away from the process.
“No matter what the plan says, developments are decided upon by council on a case by case basis,” said Hodge.
Letters from developers and property owners around the park also called for changes to the plan.
“Somehow I’m sitting here feeling very disappointed. No one is happy,” said Coun. Anna Hopkins who chairs the committee.
“This is the third or fourth kick at the can for the Victoria Park Secondary Plan, and it seems to have a challenge satisfying anyone,” added Coun. Stephen Turner.
The secondary plan would regulate development on properties around the perimeter of the urban greenspace.
It calls for the tallest buildings, up to 35 storeys, to be on Dufferin Avenue.
Maximum heights gradually step downward towards the Victorian-era houses on Central Avenue.
The plan is moot regarding the property at 560-562 Wellington Street where rezoning for a high-rise is being appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
The secondary plan also sets a target that 25 per cent of new residential units built around the park be affordable housing.
The planning committee acknowledged the dissatisfaction of stakeholders, but unanimously recommended the secondary plan’s approval.
“I think it’s where we need to get to,” said Coun. Steve Lehman. “I don’t think delaying it will bring us any further.”
“This will bring people into our downtown core who choose to call it home,” added Coun. John Fyfe-Millar.
“The answer that we got from councillors today is that this is the best that we can hope for,” said Hodge following the meeting.
She maintains the secondary plan fails to satisfy the community’s need for more affordable housing, and to preserve the park as a public space.
“I do not think this is London at its finest.”
Council will make a final decision May 24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.