Flooding fears latest flashpoint in south London infill frustrations

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As homeowners in a south London neighbourhood cope with flooded basements and property damage from a recent storm, some fear a proposed new townhouse development will only make the problem worse.

If city sewer systems can’t handle heavy rainfall now, they ask, what will the fallout be of 28 townhomes proposed to be built at 553 and 557 Upper Queen St., just south of Commissioners Road, where only two homes now stand?

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“There is concern with increased density and sewage capacity, water surface runoff and storm sewer capacity,” said Marcus Lennox, chairperson of the Upper Queen Ratepayers Association, a  neighbourhood community group.

“If we reduce the natural drainage of water by paving over large chunks of these lots, where will we get water runoff (to go)?

The 28 new homes would also mean more toilets flushed and laundry and kitchen water sent into the recently over-overwhelmed sewage system.

“People are concerned about flooding, for sure. There is a lot of talk about people moving out of the area,” said Lennox.

The Commissioners Road and Upper Queen neighbourhood was hit hard by the massive storm that hit London July 16, dropping up to 75 milimetres of rain in only two hours in some areas. Many storm sewers were overwhelmed and low-lying areas flooded.

Still, Lennox and the association won’t fight the proposed development, saying a “pro-development council” favours builders over citizens, making opposition pointless.

“We are resigned to it,” he said. “The ratepayers have no illusion. They are secondary to money.”

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Soon after this month’s storm, the Chiddington Avenue and Huntington Drive area had driveways filled with damaged drywall, flooring and furniture pulled from flooded basements as restoration companies descended on the area. 

“I am getting questions from area residents – they recognize the frequency of storm events is changing” and worry about greater housing intensification, said Ward 12 Coun. Elizabeth Peloza, who represents the area.

“Residents on both sides of Highland (Country Club) had water issues. It is a question I am looking at,” she said of the possible impact of future building.

The proposed 28-unit development is scheduled to go to city council’s planning and environment committee meeting Aug. 13. Peloza said she wants answers from city staff on what impact the project would have on flooding.

She also wants to know if there will be a sewer upgrade for the Chiddington and Upper Queen area.

“These questions are more than fair,” she said of worries about possible intensification causing more flooding. 

“We should know before we move 28 new residents into the area whether there will be more flooding.”

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The proposed two-storey units would have 62 parking spaces. Melcher Developments, a London firm working with private planner Zelinka Priamo, is proposing the development. 

Located at the intersection of Chiddington Avenue and Upper Queen,  both lots combined that make up the site are about a half-hectare in size with about 63 metres of frontage on Upper Queen Street and are about 92 metres deep.

The development would back onto the Highland Country Club. 

The proposal comes after residents unsuccessfully fought a 10-unit townhouse development at 489 Upper Queen last year, just a few doors to the north.

Ted Donaldson was one of the neighbours leading the fight against that proposal, but said he will sit out this scrap. 

“I think that ship has sailed. I have lost faith in our ability to debate these items. It is a done deal,” he said. 

The city has a target to build 47,000 homes by 2031 to receive financial incentives from the Ontario government. Since 2022 London has built more than 4,300 homes and another 12,000 are being built or are in various stages of construction or approval.

Still, Donaldson questioned whether that alone is incentive enough to risk greater property damage for some residents.

“Flooding in this area is a serious issue and always has been. If there is more building, where will the water go?” he asked.

ndebono@postmedia.com

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