Wide swath of land for BRT road widening infuriates property owners on Dundas
Widening the road for rapid transit will require some Dundas Street property owners to part with 15 feet (or more) of their land— beyond the existing sidewalk.
Recently, property owners were contacted by city hall about acquiring the land necessary to add dedicated bus lanes and a centre median as part of the East London Link rapid transit project.
If a sales agreement can’t be reached, the city will pursue expropriation.
Lou Fatibene, owner of Dundas Automotive Repair, says taking away about 18 feet of his property will make it virtually impossible to run his business.
“We won’t be able to back cars in and out (of the repair bays), trucks in and out, tow trucks won’t be able to come in,” he explains.
According to him, the city’s first offer was $52,000.
Widening the road has always been part of the city’s rapid transit plan along the stretch of Dundas Street near Ashland Avenue.
However, car lots and repair shops in the area say the ability to park and maneuver vehicles is a critical part of operating their businesses.
At Dundas Auto Sales, Mario Fatibene will lose 15 feet along Dundas Street, plus land to accommodate vehicles turning from McCormick Boulevard.
“We basically won’t be able to back a truck out of that garage door safely without hitting pedestrians on the new sidewalk,” he worries.Dundas Automotive Repair has been approached to sell a vital part of its parking lot in London, Ont. on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)
Homeowners east of Ashland Avenue have also been approached by the city to sell about 15 feet of their front lawns.
They’ve expressed concern that only a few feet of grass and a large retaining wall will separate their porches from the sidewalk and road.
Director of construction and infrastructure Jennie Dann says the city has modified the design to reduce the amount of land acquisition.
“We do need property to accommodate the two transit only lanes and the centre median, and that’s consistent with the approved EA (Environmental Assessment). Then what happens is those land needs increase at intersections,” she tells CTV News.
On Wellington Road, several properties were purchased in their entirety and cleared by the city because the buildings were in direct conflict with upcoming construction.
Director of realty services Bill Warner says existing structures don’t impede construction along that stretch of Dundas, but the new position of a property line can impact the city’s financial offer.
“If it does come so close that there is a change in the value of the overall property after we consider acquiring the partial property, we will also consider that in the offer of compensation,” Warner explains.
Offers are based on independent professional appraisals.
Warner adds that land acquisition in the area is still in the early stages.
But Lou Fatibene says faced with selling a vital piece of his property to the city or expropriation— he feels trapped.
“They are basically shutting me down from what I do,” Fatibene says. “They’ll put five people out of work.”
BRT construction in the area will likely start in 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.