City politicians hit pause on turning Old East parking lots into housing

City politicians hit pause Tuesday on plans to consider three city-owned Old East Village parking lots for housing, but pushed ahead on two others near downtown.

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Following direction from Mayor Josh Morgan earlier this year, city ​​staff singled out five city parking lots in the core area that showed the greatest potential to be redeveloped with affordable and “high-density” housing.

Two of the lots are in the SoHo neighborhood, at 84 Horton St. and 199 Ridout St., and three are in Old East Village at 641 Queens Ave., 434 Elizabeth St., and 824 Dundas St.

At a Tuesday debate of city politicians, meeting as the strategic priorities and policy committee, the politician who represents Old East, Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson, raised concerns.

In the staff report, several of the lots are identified as being underutilized, but Stevenson pointed to upcoming residential towers, bus rapid transit’s east line, and expansion at 100 Kellogg Lane as reasons to keep the parking lots and even have more spaces added with any new build.

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Stevenson pushed to have the three Old East parking lots’ future decided at a future meeting after talks with local business and community officials. Her colleagues voted unanimously in support.

The parking lots were selected based on criteria such as size, shape, surrounding buildings, and if water and wastewater infrastructure was in place, according to staff. But they’re awkward in shape, staff note, and other issues may affect the Horton and Ridout lots.

Politicians voted unanimously to endorse a request for proposals for the lots on Horton and Ridout. It will require another final, formal vote by city council on Sept. 24 to be approved.

Ward 13 Coun. David Ferreira, who represents downtown, said he appreciates “the first real move” in converting city-owned lots into “something better” for London.

“I like where this is going and I’m hopeful to have something come back when the time comes,” he said.

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