A last-minute offer by York Developments to relocate or compensate existing tenants of some affordably priced apartments convinced most members of City Council to approve a residential high-rise at the northeast corner of Ridout Street and Kent Street. However, the developer’s offer must be accepted in good faith, as city staff explained there’s no ability for city hall to make the commitments binding. On Tuesday, Council discussed a planning application to permit a 30-storey (286 unit) building at 550 Ridout Street North and 82-90 Kent Street, which would require the demolition of many affordably priced apartments. The proposed building was also deemed too large for the location by city staff in a planning report that recommended the necessary planning changes be refused. In response, a letter by the President of York Developments Ali Soufan offered displaced tenants, “compensation of $10,000 per residential unit, substantially exceeding the statutory minimum; or relocation of qualified tenants to one of our similarly affordable units in the nearby downtown core, Southwest London, or Northwest London.” Soufan also offers to create a parkette on a property across the street (565 Ridout Street North) which would become “privately-owned public space.” “Those two commitments have meaningfully addressed my earlier concerns about tenant displacement and green space,” Coun. Skylar Franke told colleagues at the meeting. “And while no redevelopment is without impact, these measures demonstrate an effort to mitigate them.” Franke added York Developments’ offer to the motion that would approve the development. However, city staff confirmed that City Hall wouldn’t have the authority to enforce that York Developments follow through on its commitments in the motion and letter. “I appreciate the Councillor trying to make this easier to go down, a little easier,” said Coun. Sam Trosow. “I will say this is a little less horrible, but not a lot.” “We have absolutely no tools through the Site Plan Process to make sure that this goes forward,” said Coun. Anna Hopkins. Coun. David Ferreira added, “It’s not binding, it’s already been said that it’s going to be done. We’re not pushing hard enough. We’re not fighting hard enough for London.” Ferreira reiterated his concern that even if the current tenants are accommodated or compensated, the demolition would reduce the number of affordably priced apartments in the city. “If we support this application, we are going to lose the affordable housing. It should be a temporary relocation (of tenants) and a replacement in the same spot,” he said. Franke countered, “I think we have to protect affordability wherever possible, but at the same time, we have consistently said that growth belongs downtown.” After a lengthy debate, the committee voted 11-4 in favour of the planning application. Soufan’s letter expressed his intent to initiate the Site Plan Process as soon as possible with the intent of beginning the project in early 2027.
