A “once in a lifetime” plan for a subdivision of nearly 1,100 homes in northeast London next to a conservation area was praised Tuesday by city councilors but faces pushback from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.
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In a unanimous vote Tuesday, city council’s planning and environment committee gave the nod to the proposed 1,079-home development by Sifton Properties on 50 hectares (124 acres) at 2331 Kilally and 1588 Clarke roads.
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“This is a really important development for Ward 3 and the east end,” said Ward Councilor Peter Cuddy. “This offers the northeast end of the city an opportunity it hasn’t had before.”
The proposal would include:
- 719 apartments in towers up to six storeys
- 164 townhomes
- 196 single-family homes
- Six parks and other green spaces
Though city staff support the proposal, a report suggested widening Clarke Road – first to four, then to six lanes – to provide additional through lanes, paths for cyclists and pedestrians and intersection improvements near the development. Kilally Road, east of Clarke Road, also will need widening, the report said.
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But concerns were raised during the meeting by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and Sun-Canadian Pipe Line.
Sun-Canadian is concerned about the proximity of homes to pipelines that carry refined petroleum products east of the proposed subdivision. City staff promised that there would be a setback and a chain-link fence.
The authority is concerned about Sifton’s proposal to take over roughly half of the tree-lined, private laneway to Fanshawe Conservation Area to allow two southern entrances to the subdivision.
That issue would have to be resolved by Sifton and the authority, with the city’s help, staff said.
“I do hope that a resolution can be found,” said Ward 7 Coun. Corrine Rahman. “I completely agree with Upper Thames, this is part of the legacy development of this area and definitely part of the experience.”
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Committee chair Steve Lehman said it was “fantastic to see this level of development” in the northeast, and said the region has potential for even more.
Old East parking lot gets green light for one more year
A temporary parking lot in the city’s east end received a one-year extension from planning committee, with some way of any commitment beyond that.
In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, the committee allowed the parking lot at 379-390 Hewitt St. and 748 King St. to operate for one more year, instead of the three requested.
In a report, city staff opposed the extension, saying it could potentially delay future residential development on the site, owned by Medallion Corp.
But deputy mayor Shawn Lewis cited a 2023 committee decision to consider a parking lot extension if Medallion sought a building permit for a neighboring 24-storey tower within a year.
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“The applicant has fulfilled their part of the requirement. . . so I think its incumbent on us to honor our side as well,” Lewis said, moving an amendment for the one-year extension. “My concern is that three years just leaves the door open for nothing to move forward.”
Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson, who represents the area, said parking was needed for tenants now in apartments set to be demolished for the tower, adding underground parking eventually would replace the surface lot.
The committee recommendation requires the approval of full city council.
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