By Claude & Parth on 2026-03-10, City: London, View Transcript
The Planning and Environment Committee met to discuss several significant issues affecting London residents. The committee approved a negotiated affordable housing development at Hyde Park Road, debated short-term rental regulations including occupancy limits and licensing fees, and addressed a growing rat infestation crisis across the city. Members also discussed harm reduction services and safe drug supply programs, with concerns raised about open drug use on Dundas Street. The meeting concluded with an emergency motion to provide immediate funding for security and fire safety systems at Tolpuddle Housing Cooperative, which is facing financial crisis.
The committee reviewed a negotiated proposal for affordable housing on city-owned land at 1364-1408 Hyde Park Road. The development would exceed permitted density (156 units per hectare versus 150 permitted) by utilizing an R9 zone density bonus provision. Councillor Ferrer pushed for more family-sized affordable units, stating "Most of the calls that I get when it comes to people seeking affordable units are families of low income who need to support and house their families." Staff defended the unit mix based on a housing needs assessment showing significant shortages of bachelor and one-bedroom units. The negotiated RFP process resulted in 32 additional housing units being added to the project. Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months for each of the two blocks.
Council debated significant changes to short-term accommodation licensing, including more than doubling licensing fees and implementing a two-person-per-bedroom occupancy limit. Jordan Clawson, an Old South resident, testified that the occupancy restrictions would prevent families with two children from renting single-bedroom units with two queen beds. The initial licensing fee will increase to $547 (including fire and property standards inspections), with annual renewals at $196. The committee deleted language that would have allowed operators to run multiple properties, strengthening the one-property-per-operator restriction. An amendment to allow flexibility for single rooms with multiple beds failed 2-3. Staff confirmed they have undisclosed enforcement methods to identify unlicensed properties and that brokers must now include license numbers when listing properties.
Resident Robert Shields reported rats "about the size of squirrels" in east London, stating "They're eating through concrete. Nobody's doing nothing about it." The issue was first raised in October with no action taken. Residents testified about rats entering homes, with one stating they "woke up with a rat running across their face." Staff confirmed existing bylaws already address the problem, with Wade Jeffrey stating "Improper storage" is the primary issue found during inspections. The committee passed a motion directing staff to report back in Q2 2026 on strengthening enforcement of existing bylaws, adding specific rat reporting options to Service London, and consulting with the Environmental Stewardship and Action Community Advisory Committee. A single pair of rats can multiply to 88,000 rats within one year due to their rapid reproduction cycle.
Dr. Summers, Chief Medical Officer of Health, testified that limiting access to safe consumption supplies could have "potential health implications" including increased transmission of hepatitis C, HIV, and other infections. The Middlesex London Health Unit is legally required under Ontario Public Health Standards to ensure availability of safer drug use supplies. City Solicitor clarified that any council motion would only apply to city funds and programs, not the Health Unit which operates under provincial authority. Mayor Morgan highlighted a service gap: CarePoint facility serves injection drug users only with no inhalation oversight services available. Following engagement with outreach teams, they voluntarily agreed to stop distributing harm reduction kits on Dundas Street 24/7, though distribution continues in other areas. Councillor Ferrer warned council against "making promises that we can't achieve and promises that we have no direct control over" given provincial jurisdiction.
Jody Phoenix, President of Tolpuddle Housing Cooperative, testified that the 134-unit cooperative housing vulnerable low-income residents has received "nothing but crickets" when requesting funding and support. The cooperative requires 24/7 security and is in operational deficit. Phoenix criticized the city's housing placement system, stating residents "aren't vetted" and those with active addiction and mental health crises are placed without support resources. The committee declared an emergency and approved immediate funding for 2025-26 security and fire monitoring systems "without any conditions regarding a lien payment." Staff confirmed $91,000 is already committed and available pending completion of administrative requirements. Phoenix warned the cooperative is facing bankruptcy, potentially running out of funds by month's end.
Passed: - Approval of conceptual site plan for affordable housing development at Hyde Park Road (File 2.5) - Amendments to short-term rental licensing regulations including fee increases and occupancy limits - Motion to report back in Q2 2026 on strengthening enforcement of existing bylaws related to rodent control - Emergency motion to immediately advance funds for Tolpuddle Housing Cooperative security and fire monitoring systems - Motion directing staff to report back on rental property licensing transparency improvements - Motion to extend meeting past 6:00 PM (passed 3-1 on second vote)
Rejected: - Amendment to allow "more than two individuals per bedroom" in short-term rentals (failed 2-3) - Amendment to delay rodent control report to Q3 2026 for more comprehensive analysis (failed to receive seconder) - Motion to overrule chair's ruling on emergency procedures (failed 2-3)
Deferred: - Comprehensive report on vacant units in community housing system (expected Q3 2026) - Report on Tolpuddle Housing Cooperative lien situation (due April 13, 2026)