London City Council Meeting: Pride Month, Gaming Revenue, and Planning Debates

London city council's meeting included ceremonial items recognizing Pride Month and paramedic Mia Laru for her response to the Sherwood Forest Mall crash, then moved through a broad agenda that included Ontario Lottery and Gaming revenue, the downtown plan, several planning applications, investment-report transparency, and a motion on resident appeal rights at the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Topics Discussed

1. Pride Month and civic recognitions

Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis announced that June is National Pride Month. He said the Pride flag will fly in Reg Cooper Square from June 27 through Canada Day in recognition of the Stonewall riots, and again during London's Pride Festival in Victoria Park in July.

Council also recognized paramedic Mia Laru for her response to the Sherwood Forest Mall incident. Mayor Josh Morgan said, "Her actions made a meaningful difference during a frightening moment and serve as an example to the testament that the impact that one person can have when they choose to step forward and help in a moment of crisis."

2. OLG revenue and community funding

Council heard that London has received $107.7 million in non-tax gaming revenue since 1999 for hosting a gaming facility. Kathleen Divine told council, "In total, the city has received now 107.7 million in non-tax gaming revenue for hosting a gaming facility in London since the inception of this agreement in 1999."

Meeting materials linked the latest funding to capital work including roof restoration at Dearness Home, roof replacements at Argal Arena and the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, a heater replacement at Silverwoods Park pool, improvements at Glen Cairn Arena and Boyle Community Centre, road reconstruction, and 11 hybrid vehicles for the city fleet. Materials also listed community programs supported through the funding.

3. Downtown plan and implementation

Council approved work related to the city's downtown plan, with debate focused on implementation, accountability, and what services residents will need as more people live downtown. Councillor David Ferreira asked, "What type of amenities? What things are available? What can people do? Where can they shop? Where can they get their groceries?"

The plan includes a services and amenities gap assessment, quarterly progress reports beginning in the fourth quarter, and an annual report. Councillors also discussed a governance structure for implementation, including a dedicated service area and a downtown champions table. Councillor Elizabeth Peloza said, "Downtowns are shifting to be neighborhoods and that means downtowns will feel like neighborhoods with people living in them, working in them, enjoying beautiful public spaces."

4. Planning and development applications

Council debated several planning matters.

At 1958 Dutch Crescent, Block 6, Deputy Mayor Lewis opposed increasing density beyond what had already been approved for the site. He said, "I'm asking council to respectfully not direct staff to do that but to have staff move forward with the density that they had already."

On 1057-1061 Richmond Street, council debated both a temporary parking use and a development application. Councillor Elizabeth Peloza questioned whether council had enough certainty about the proposal after hearing different information during the public meeting. She said, "What happens when we hear from a planner, a planning consultant or the developer during a public meeting on an application? ... Do we know what we're agreeing to otherwise?" A motion to impose bedroom limits failed, and the original recommendation proceeded.

Council also approved an adaptive reuse proposal for a vacant heritage church building. Councillor Peter Cuddy argued preservation was urgent, saying, "But but colleagues, if this building is not preserved, if it's not developed, it will fall into a shambles or or even more, it will burn to the ground."

Debate on intensification applications also touched on how council applies planning policy across the city. Councillor Susan Stevenson said, "And the other thing I want to say, and I know this will be a little contentious, but we're going to talk about it a lot today, I think, is that there is a growing perception that different neighborhoods are treated differently."

5. Investment reporting and appeal rights

Councillor Stevenson repeatedly raised concerns about the level of detail in the city's investment reporting. She said, "And I just think well all the more reason why two lines is not sufficient transparency in my opinion to taxpayers where we're investing money on behalf of them." Staff told council the city invests under the Municipal Act and within specific restrictions.

Council also debated a motion asking that limited third-party appeal rights be restored for residents in planning matters. Supporters framed it as a fairness issue. Councillor Skylar Franke said, "I don't think it's fair that developers get to appeal stuff and residents don't. And I think that this to me is should be and is about fairness." Opponents argued council should be cautious about advocating for changes that could slow housing approvals. The motion carried 7-6.

Motions

• Confirmation of minutes from the 9th meeting and 10th special meeting — carried 14-0
• Move into in-camera session for items 4.1 through 4.8 — carried
• Byron Springbank Veterans Monument donation agreement — approved 14-0
• Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee report, items 1-5 and 8 — approved 14-0
• London's Economic Development Strategy 2026-2030 and Implementation Plan — passed 13-1
• Downtown Reimagined / City of London Downtown Plan — approved 12-1
• Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee items 1-7 and 10 — passed 13-0
• Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee item 8 — passed 13-1
• Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee item 9 — passed 13-1
• 1958 Dutch Crescent, Block 6 contested density clause, Part C — carried 8-6
• 1958 Dutch Crescent remaining items — carried 13-1
• 221 Queen Avenue temporary parking lot extension — approved 13-1
• 1057-1061 Richmond Street temporary parking approval — approved 10-3
• Amendment to impose bedroom limits at 1057-1061 Richmond Street — failed 5-8
• Heritage building adaptive reuse project — approved 10-3
• Residential infill project at 929 Cheapside — approved 9-4
• Motion requesting limited third-party appeal rights through AMO advocacy — carried 7-6
• Motion to extend the meeting past 6 p.m. — carried 12-1
• Easement agreement for 1712 Dundas Street, Pottersburg Phase 3 Sanitary Project — carried 12-0
• Bill 239 — 1958 Dutch Crescent, Block Six contribution agreement — passed all three readings
• Bill 241 — Green Municipal Fund grant agreement — passed all three readings
• Bill 244 — Administrative Monetary Penalties Bylaw amendment — passed all three readings
• Bill 257 — 2496 Dundas Street East — passed all three readings 10-1
• Bill 259 — 1057-1061 Richmond Street — passed all three readings
• Bill 260 — 36 Weathered Street — passed 8-3
• Bill 261 — 929 Cheapside — passed 7-4
• Temporary parking lot zoning bylaw — passed all three readings 10-1

Attendees

The discussion notes identify these members: - Mayor Josh Morgan - Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis - Councillor Jerry Pribil - Councillor David Ferreira - Councillor Susan Stevenson - Councillor Anna Hopkins - Councillor Skylar Franke - Councillor Peter Cuddy - Councillor Sam Trosow - Councillor Elizabeth Peloza - Councillor Hadleigh McAlister - Councillor Corrine Rahman - Councillor Paul Van Meerbergen

The provided notes do not include a complete official attendance roll call.