Tesla dealership seeks green light to come to London, Ont.
Electric vehicle giant Tesla is seeking permission to build a dealership and service centre in south London.
On Monday, the Planning and Environment Committee (PEC) considered a request to permit an automotive sales and service establishment at 3234-3274 Wonderland Road South at the southeast corner with Bradley Avenue.
The Tesla dealership would be one of the largest in Canada, and serve customers throughout southwestern Ontario.
The next closest dealership is in Kitchener.
Several councillors urged the EV automaker to be more environmentally progressive with the design of its dealership.
“This application is asking for 504 parking spots,” pointed out Coun. Skylar Franke.
“Electric vehicles are better than gas-powered cars for the environment,” Franke added. “That being said, cars still use car infrastructure and that can be seen in this application.”
PEC members recommended the zoning amendment be approved, but also signalled a desire to see changes to the size and design of the parking area.
Franke told CTV News that city hall is developing a by-law for green parking lot standards.
“We want you to have low impact elements like bio-swales where there are trees and plants, and some solar charging roofs like we see over at the West 5 neighbourhood,” she said. “There’s lots we can do to reduce the impact of a parking lot.”
Council will make a final decision Tuesday, Sept. 26.
If approved, construction of the Tesla dealership would begin this spring with a proposed opening in 2025.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man killed at Trump rally was former fire chief who 'dove on his family to protect them'
On the heels of an attempt to kill him, former U.S. President Donald Trump called Sunday for unity and resilience as shocked leaders across the political divide recoiled from the shooting that left him wounded but 'fine.'
Read the letter from Melania Trump responding to attempted assassination of Donald Trump
Former first lady Melania Trump issued her first public response since her husband, former President Donald Trump, was injured in a shooting at one of his rallies on Saturday.
Spain beats England 2-1 to win record fourth European Championship title
Spain is the king of European soccer for a record fourth time. For England, it's another agonizing near-miss in the team's decades-long tale of underachievement.
Canadian security employ 'increased vigilance' after Trump rally shooting: LeBlanc
Canada's security apparatus is 'exercising increased vigilance' in the wake of this weekend's deadly shooting at former U.S. president Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, the federal public safety minister said Sunday.
How the attempt on Donald Trump's life could impact the U.S. presidential election
The aftermath of the attempted assassination attempt on former U.S. president Donald Trump this weekend could give him an edge among voters and send him back to the Oval Office, according to one political expert.
DEVELOPING What we know about the 20-year-old man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump
The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania as the suspect in Saturday's attempted assassination of former U.S. president Donald Trump at a campaign rally.
Obituary Shannen Doherty, '90210' actress, dies at 53, People magazine reports
American actor Shannen Doherty, best known for her role as high school student Brenda Walsh on hit 1990s television drama 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' has died at age 53 following a years-long battle with cancer.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, hands Carlos Alcaraz his Wimbledon trophy in a rare appearance for her
Kate, the Princess of Wales, handed Carlos Alcaraz the champion's trophy after the Wimbledon men's final at the All England Club on Sunday in only her second public appearance since announcing she was diagnosed with cancer.
Ontario educational assistant charged after alleged relationship with 14-year-old boy
An educational assistant at a Catholic elementary school in Welland has been charged after allegedly having an "intimate relationship" with a 14-year-old boy who was her former student.