London's Planning and Environment Committee Reviews Housing, Development and Heritage

London's Planning and Environment Committee reviewed housing, development and heritage items, including confirmation that the city has exceeded its Housing Accelerator Fund target with 11,966 housing units, a direction to study a property tax relief program for Part 4 heritage properties, several major development applications, and a request for legal and policy review related to tenant relocation at 145 Baseline Road West.

Topics Discussed

HOUSING ACCELERATOR TARGET MET

The committee was told London has reached 11,966 housing units, surpassing its Housing Accelerator Fund target of 11,830. Manager of Housing Development and Administration Matthew Mathers said the milestone is tied to the city's final federal payment: "So as of Monday we reached… 11,966 housing units and that's surpassing our goal… London received an allotment of $81.4 million and that last quarter of the payment which is approximately $21 million is contingent on meeting these targets."

HERITAGE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR PART 4 DESIGNATIONS

Committee members discussed the financial burden on owners of individually designated heritage properties. Councillor Paul Van Meerbergen said one owner reported "an increase of insurance values of over $3,000 a year because of the way insurers do not want to insure heritage properties." He added that "the part 4 relief for part 4ers really is a focus."
The committee approved an amended motion asking civic administration to report back with recommendations for a heritage property tax relief program for Part 4 designated properties, including budget impacts, for consideration during the 2027-2031 strategic plan and 2028-2031 multi-year budget process.

SOUTHWEST GROWTH, BRADLEY AVENUE AND KELLY ROAD

The committee considered development files for lands on Boswick Road, Warcliffe Road South and Wonderland Road South, with discussion focused on access, infrastructure timing and mobility planning. Staff said, "we do maintain that the internal subdivision road network is the most appropriate spot for a full access movement intersection or full access for this site."
On the Kelly Road file, staff said the proposed road work could support future infrastructure planning: "there'll be the opportunity to consider that there's a already approved development in the area that's going to be moving forward and that this road project could support it." The committee approved an Official Plan Amendment related to 1887, 2005 and 2065 Kelly Road for street classifications and the Activity Mobility Network.

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS: KENT STREET, NOTRE DAME DRIVE AND DEARNESS DRIVE

The committee heard public submissions on several applications.

At 150-152 Kent Street, speakers criticized the proposal's scale and design. Anamaria Elastro said, "This is an infill project… but unfortunately, it's a poor quality development… every development needs to be a home and that's not what's being offered here."

At 725 Notre Dame Drive, residents raised concerns about traffic and neighbourhood consultation. Councillor Steven Hillier moved a referral, saying, "after listening to the public and seeing that the applicant is unable to having a meeting to speak with the neighborhood, I would like to move a referral so that they can have a public participation meeting." The committee approved that referral.

At 1047-1055 Dearness Drive, a proposed 12-storey, 210-unit apartment building drew objections over height and fit with the area. Nicole Burke said, "To now consider doubling the height to 12 stories gives residents the understandable impression that their previous participation and concerns were effectively ignored. Public consultation should be meaningful." Councillor Paul Van Meerbergen described the site as "well established… very family oriented," adding that "for a development like this to come into the middle of their neighborhood commercial center right in the parking lot is a shock." The committee added a privacy fence requirement through an amendment.

TENANT RELOCATION AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING POLICY

During delegation, the committee heard concerns about 145 Baseline Road West. Christy Pagnello said "the developer landlord has reneged on their promise of alternate temporary housing while the renovations occur." Councillor Skylar Franke asked whether the city could find a way to hold the developer to commitments made during the approval process, saying those commitments "did influence the decision made at council." Staff replied that site plan approval is not the mechanism for regulating tenant matters, but said other processes may be reviewed.

Separately, the committee referred the city's affordable housing definition back to administration. Staff said, "The affordability is a moving target," and that aligning with federal and provincial programs helps provide clearer direction to developers.

Motions

• Amended Motion 5.2b - Heritage Property Tax Relief Program for Part 4 Designated Properties — Passed, 5-0
• Official Plan Amendment - Street Classifications and Activity Mobility Network for 1887, 2005 and 2065 Kelly Road — Passed, 5-0
• Motion to open public participation meeting - 3080 and 3514 Boswick Road, 1875 Warcliffe Road South, and 3341 Wonderland Road South — Passed, 5-0
• Motion to close public participation meeting - Boswick/Warcliffe/Wonderland files — Passed, 5-0
• Amendment requiring enhanced transit service consideration as part of the master mobility plan update for major subdivision development — Passed, 5-0
• Motion to open public participation meeting - 150-152 Kent Street — Passed, 4-0
• Referral requiring applicant public participation meeting - 725 Notre Dame Drive — Passed, 5-0
• Motion to open public participation meeting - 1047-1055 Dearness Drive — Passed, 5-0
• Amendment adding privacy fence requirements to site plan - 1047-1055 Dearness Drive — Passed, 5-0
• Item 2.1 - Referral of affordable housing definition to civic administration to align "dollars to doors" with CMHC definition — Passed, 5-0

Attendees

• Councillor Shawn Lewis
• Councillor Anna Hopkins
• Councillor Peter Cuddy
• Councillor Susan Stevenson
• Councillor Steven Hillier
• Councillor Skylar Franke
• Councillor Paul Van Meerbergen