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
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Biden OKs US$60M in aid after Baltimore bridge collapse as governor warns of 'very long road ahead'
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore warned Thursday of a 'very long road ahead' to recover from the loss of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved US$60 million in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse.