London, Ontario city council approved a controversial 25-storey tower in a northwest commercial plaza despite fiery debate and warnings about increased traffic. The development, proposed by York Developments, will consist of 219 units at 735 Wonderland Rd. N. The vote passed 12-2, with Ward 6 Coun. Sam Trosow and Ward 13 Coun. David Ferreira opposing it. During the debate, concerns were raised about traffic congestion and the nearby Middlesex-London Paramedic depot on Horizon Drive. The area is designated as a “transit village,” allowing for increased height and density to support alternative modes of transportation. Trosow proposed motions to consult with the Middlesex-London Paramedic Service about traffic mitigation and to study the impact of extending Beaverbrook Avenue and Westfield Drive on cut-through traffic in the area.
While the motion to consult the Middlesex-London Paramedic Service was approved, Trosow’s other motion was struck down. Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis argued that the motion was not relevant to the developer’s work and should be presented through a separate motion at Civic Works. Tensions rose during the debate, with Trosow expressing concern that the development disregarded the interests of residents in the neighborhood. Mayor Josh Morgan intervened, emphasizing the need for respectful communication within council. Despite the canceled original bus rapid transit plan, the official plan still designates the area as a transit village, aligning with the decision to approve the tower.
The debate over the tower development also sparked discussion about the overall planning process and consideration of cumulative effects in the area. Trosow stressed the importance of looking beyond individual applications and considering the broader impact of developments on traffic, transit, and livability. He apologized for his comments during the debate but maintained his position that council should evaluate applications by taking into account all factors in the area. Mayor Morgan echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the challenges of a growing city but reaffirming the alignment of the tower development with the transit village designation.
Despite concerns raised about increased traffic and potential impact on the neighborhood, London city council voted to approve the 25-storey tower development at 735 Wonderland Rd. N. The development, proposed by York Developments, will consist of 219 units and is located in a designated transit village area. The debate surrounding the approval of the tower highlighted the importance of considering cumulative effects in the planning process and prompted discussions about traffic mitigation and the impact on nearby services such as the Middlesex-London Paramedic depot. While some motions related to traffic mitigation were approved, others were struck down as not directly relevant to the developer’s work.
