In an eleventh-hour reversal, London city council has rejected a proposal to increase an apartment complex near Western University from six to eight storeys, a decision met with relief by residents of the Orchard Park neighbourhood. The development, proposed for 299-307 Sarnia Road, initially involved a zoning change to permit an 8-storey apartment building stepping down to 4 storeys at the rear. The plan included 204 residential units,188 vehicle parking spaces, and 225 bicycle parking spaces. Residents had largely resigned themselves to a six-storey student-oriented complex, a compromise reached after previous negotiations. However, when the developer pushed for two additional storeys, residents organized a campaign to oppose the revision. “We felt betrayed,” said Bill Tsioros, who helped lead the opposition. The campaign faced an initial setback when the city’s Planning and Environment Committee approved the revision based on a city staff recommendation. The tide turned Tuesday afternoon during the full council vote. Ward 3 Councillor Peter Cuddy, who had initially voted in favour of the change at committee, shifted his stance, stating, “I find it very difficult… to support this.” Ultimately, the council defeated the additional storeys by a decisive vote of 13-2. Councillor Sam Trosow, representing the ward, explained that residents and council had already compromised once, allowing the project to grow from four to six floors. “I think in the end, the council really respected the compromise nature of what had been done over the last few years,” Trosow commented. “This just did not come up in the last few weeks. So I think it was a good vote.” The previously approved six-storey development can still proceed based on approval granted by the city last year. Neighbour Sharanne MacDonald told CTV News that residents understand the inevitability of higher density developments along Sarnia Road and are not opposed to student housing. “They are part of our community and that’s really important,” she stated. While some councillors voiced concerns that reversing the committee’s recommendation could lead to an Ontario Municipal Board appeal, Trosow expressed confidence that the strong opposing vote would prevent such action.
