Politicians want homes on industrial land amid push to build 47,000 new ones

London is poised to add land for what may be more than 1,000 new homes as city hall seeks to convert under-used industrial property for residential use.

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In a move that may see new homes nestled up against light industry, city council’s planning committee is recommending 50 hectares (120 acres) of land be rezoned from manufacturing to residential to help meet the growing demand for housing.

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“For me, the main consideration is that these are underutilized lands. What is the highest and best use of the property?” asked Ward 7 Coun. Corrine Rahman, who spoke in support of the land conversion at a recent debate.

City hall has a goal, set by the provincial government, to add 47,000 new homes by 2031 or risk losing funding for infrastructure.

“We have to think about where the supply of land for those homes comes from,” Rahman said.

Politicians heard the land conversion could accommodate more than 1,000 new homes, given that many will be high-density apartments and townhouses, she said.

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there Although is a demand for industrial land and buildings in London, converting this land makes sense, said Sean Ford, chief executive of Dancor, which builds for commercial and industrial use.

Much of the land is near residential areas now and larger tracts of industrial land remain for manufacturers, he said.

“It’s a great thing. You look at lands like the Kellogg site and it means condos can now be built on that property,” he said “The city is correcting the mix.”

Council’s planning committee recently voted to endorse converting the following lands. Full city council must approve it:

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• Nearly eight hectares of former Kellogg factory lands, north of Florence Street and Kellogg Lane to east of Eleanor Street. This could see homes, such as condominiums or apartments. The former cereal factory lands are now a mixed-use commercial and entertainment district with further redevelopment planned. “The proposed conversion would recognize the change planned function and use. Furthermore, conversion would align with strategic housing objectives and the lands are well situated given its location on the east London link BRT (bus rapid transit) corridor,” city staff wrote.
• Nearly 30 hectares of land in the Hyde Park commercial industrial area, south of Fanshawe Park Road and west of Hyde Park Road. The site is now largely vacant with established commercial plazas. It boasts natural heritage features to the west, and an existing green space corridor. “The conversion to neighborhoods, with recognition of the existing commercial plazas, would support the creation of a complete community,” city staff wrote.
• A site of 6.7 hectares at 1525, 1557, 1579 and 1635 Fanshawe Park Rd., made up of under-used parcels with existing commercial industrial uses. “The properties do not have any significant limitations related to future residential development and conversion would apply a consistent place type for the area,” city staff wrote.
• 0.43 hectares at 2251, 2253 and 2257 Trafalgar St. City staff recommended not including this land for conversion saying it has a “limited” use for housing, but planning committee members voted to add it. The site is a vacant parcel with two residential properties. The lands are abutting light industry to the west, east, and south.
• A four-hectare site at 2496 Dundas St. E. near London International Airport also was not recommended for conversion by staff, but politicians want staff to “re-evaluate” it. The site includes farmland and wetland. “Transport Canada recommends against new residential development in areas close to an airport,” the report stated.

“Times are changing and we’re in a time of significant change with industry and population growth. I’m fully supportive of these motions,” said Ward 8 Coun. Steve Lehman, chair of council’s planning committee. “We have seen a lot of work in the north and west and the east has a lot of potential.”

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