City of London: Ward 13 November 2024 Newsletter

As November begins, we welcome the crisp air and cozy days ahead—a perfect time to appreciate our community’s resilience and the warmth of connection. Exciting Neighbourhood Decision-Making ideas are open for voting, and downtown events mean there’s always something to do. With the year’s end in sight, we’re also preparing for important discussions on the city’s budget update. This month, community meetings will provide opportunities to share your insights to help shape our plans, and I encourage you to get involved.

Wishing you a thoughtful and engaging November!

Warm regards,

David Ferreira
Councillor Ward 13, London Ontario
519-661-2489 ext. 4013 | dferreira@london.ca

For more information on newsletters, ward meetings, current city initiatives, and other resources, please visit my website at www.davidferreira.ca.

The Mayor’s Budget has been tabled on October 29 at the Budget Committee.

The City’s 2025 Annual Budget Update is underway, with the Mayor’s Budget now tabled. Please click 2025 Budget Update to review.

As we approach budget’s deliberations which are scheduled to begin on November 21st, there are multiple opportunities for public input this month, including in-person and virtual events across the city. Residents are encouraged to participate in the engagement period, including the online Survey and the Public Participation Meeting being held at City Hall on November 19, 2024 at Budget Committee meeting at 4.pm.

The Budget Team has planned several engagement events, including both in-person and virtual options, at various locations across the city. More information regardin 2025 Budget Update is available on the Get Involved Budget page.

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt |

We are pleased to announce a commitment to the second office-to-residential conversion project to receive funding through the City’s Office-to-Residential CIP Incentive Program.

Sifton Properties Limited will be receiving $3,290,000 to convert commercial office space at 195 Dufferin Avenue into 94 residential units. This project is a unique not-for-profit partnership with Homes Unlimited (London) Inc., the Anglican Diocese of Huron, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

 Supported by the Housing Accelerator Fund, the Office-to-Residential CIP Incentive program was approved by Council in February 2024 to incentivize office-to-residential conversion projects and foster an environment that will help increase the supply of residential units within the downtown and support the City’s efforts to address the housing crisis and increase housing opportunities. The program provides grants up to $35,000 per unit for eligible conversion projects within the Downtown Community Improvement Project area. The goal of the Office-to-Residential Incentive program is to fund an additional 285 residential units in the Downtown Community Improvement Project toward London’s Provincial Housing Pledge target of 47,000 homes by 2031.

Amendments to The London Plan and the Zoning By-law to increase the number of additional residential units permitted on a property and remove the five-bedroom limit city wide, except for in near campus neighbourhoods are now officially in force.

Londoners are now able to have up to four total separate units on a residential property, with no limit on the number of total bedrooms, where zoning permits single detached, semi-detached, street townhouse, duplex, triplex or converted dwellings.

For Near Campus Neighbourhoods, the bedroom limit was amended from three to five, with added provisions to further increase the bedroom limit when creating additional residential units, where permitted.

Additional Residential Units (ARUs):

• Self contained dwelling unit located within the same building or on the same lot, as an existing residential unit. Self contained means that it has its own kitchen and washroom facilities and a separate entrance.

• Permitted ‘as-of-right’, which means applicants can apply for a building permit without additional zoning by-law amendments or variances, if by-law regulations are met.

• A total of four separate units (including the original unit) are permitted on a residential property where the zoning permits. A maximum of three ARUs are permitted, which may include a maximum of two additional units in an accessory building.

• ARUs can be located within the interior of the existing house (for example in the basement), in an existing garage, or by constructing a detached tiny home on the property or as an addition to an existing building.

• There are four main types of ARUs including: interior/basement conversion, converted garage, detached and addition to existing building.

These amendments are part of a number of important initiatives the City of London is undertaking that will support the creation of new housing opportunities across the city. Learn more at more homes.

Learn more about ARUs and find answers to frequently asked questions by clicking here.

The City of London and County of Middlesex are reviewing their Housing Stability and Homeless Prevention Plans (2019-2024) to create a unified 10-year strategy. This process will address local needs and align with municipal, provincial, and national strategies. Your feedback is valuable and I encourage you to participate by visiting our Get Involved page. Please complete the survey or use the community conversation toolkit to facilitate discussions by November 15, 2024.

Housing Stability Action Plan
Community Conversation Toolkit
Complete Online Survey

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt |

Council has approved 23 new park improvement projects across London, funded by an additional $4 million from the Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund. These upgrades, guided by the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, will roll out from 2024 to 2027. In Ward 13, planned improvements include new play equipment and seating at Blackfriars Park, enhanced play equipment and a basketball court at Richard B. Harrison Park, and upgraded skateboarding facilities at West Lions Park.

Updates about the projects and program will continue to be posted to getinvolved.london.ca/NeighbourhoodParksImprovements.

Londoners can learn more about current park construction projects at london.ca/ParkConstruction.

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt |

Meeting Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Planning and Environment Committee in City Hall

For inquiries, please contact: Alanna Riley, Planning & Development at ariley@london.ca

Planning Application: 313-323 Horton St. E.

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt |

We’re now in week 3 of CN Rail closures for railway maintenance, with two remaining rail crossing closures scheduled for the rest of the month.

• Monday, November 4 to Friday, November 8 – Veterans Memorial Parkway between Oxford Street East and Huron Street
• Tuesday, November 12 to Friday, November 15 – Oxford Street East between Third Street and Clark Road

Click here for information on impacted rail crossings and maintenance schedule.

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #Construction

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), is conducting a comprehensive review and upgrade of its regulated area maps, including updates within the City of London. These updates aim to better identify properties near natural hazards, such as flood and erosion-prone areas, watercourses, valleys, and wetlands.

In-person Open House
Date: Location: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 6-9 pm
Civic Garden Complex, Birch Room, 625 Springbank Drive,

Virtual Information Session
Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 7-8 pm
Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/4gEgdGC

Project Information – Thames River Regulated Area Map Update – City of London

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt |

Effective November 1, personal vehicle parking will again be restricted on City streets between 3 and 5 a.m. Residents and visitors must register their vehicles to park overnight on most City streets through the free Overnight Parking Pass program.