That, on the recommendation of the Director, Planning and Development, the following actions be taken with respect to the application by South London Investments Inc., (c/o Siv-ik Planning & Design Inc.), relating to the property located at 539 & 543 Topping Lane:
a) the proposed by-law appended to the staff report dated August 13, 2024 as Appendix "A" BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on August 27, 2024, to amend the Official Plan for the City of London, 2016, by ADDING a new policy to the Specific Policies for the Neighbourhoods Place Type and by ADDING the subject lands to Map 7 – Specific Policy Areas – of the Official Plan;
b) the proposed by-law appended to the staff report dated August 13, 2024 as Appendix "B" BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on August 27, 2024, to amend Zoning By-law No. Z.-1, (in conformity with the Official Plan for the City of London, 2016 as amended in part a) above), to change the zoning of the subject property FROM a Residential R1 (R1-9) Zone TO a Residential R8 Special Provision (R8-4(_)) Zone;
c) the Site Plan Approval Authority BE REQUESTED to consider the following design issues through the site plan process:
i) provide a dedicated paratransit layby;
ii) consider revising the parking layout to ensure all parking spaces are more easily accessible;
iii) ensure a high degree of transparent glazing is provided on the ground floor along both public street frontages;
iv) enhanced tree planting, particularly along the western and northern property lines;
v) landscaping to include at minimum 50% native species, with no invasive species planted;
vi) investigate renewable sources of energy such as solar for the roof and sides of the building, and geothermal for interior heating and cooling;
vii) investigate air source heat pump options;
viii) include a minimum of 5% EV charging spots roughed in;
ix) utilize bird friendly policies using the CSA standard; and,
x) consultation with the Municipal Housing Developmet division for the provision of affordable units;
it being noted that the Planning and Environment Committee received the following communications with respect to these matters:
• a petition from K. Benke, with 63 signatures; and,
• the project summary from M. Davis, Siv-ik Planning and Design;
it being pointed out that the following individuals made verbal presentations at the public participation meeting held in conjunction with these matters:
• M. Davis, Siv-ik Planning and Design;
• K. Benke;
• A. Crawford;
• M. Pryciak;
• R. Scholtes;
• J. Bosdale; and,
• I. Driscoll;
it being further noted that the Municipal Council refuses this application for the following reasons:
• the recommended amendment is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 (PPS), which encourages the regeneration of settlement areas and land use patterns within settlement areas that provide for a range of uses and opportunities for intensification and redevelopment. The PPS directs municipalities to permit all forms of housing required to meet the needs of all residents, present and future;
• the recommended amendment conforms to The London Plan, including but not limited to the Key Directions, City Building policies, Specific Policy Areas, and the Neighbourhoods Place Type policies; and,
• the recommended amendment would permit an appropriate form of redevelopment at an intensity that can be accommodated on the subject lands and is considered compatible with the surrounding neighbourhood;
it being acknowledged that any and all oral and written submissions from the public, related to this application have been, on balance, taken into consideration by Council as part of its deliberations and final decision regarding these matters.