Push for possible heritage designation of London city hall stalls

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London city council had a tepid response to a suggestion to study protecting the interior of city hall.

Council voted 9-6 at Tuesday afternoon’s council meeting to ignore a request by the community advisory committee for the city to consider designating city hall a heritage building.

Councillors Anna Hopkins, Corrine Rahman, Sam Trosow, David Ferreira, Skylar Franke and Susan Stevenson voted in favour of the study.

“I don’t want to handcuff people that are putting proposals forward on what unique designs that they can bring for council’s consideration, with restrictions,” said Coun. Steve Lehman, referencing the plan for a new city hall.

Under part four of the Ontario Heritage Act, city councils can designate properties as heritage sites based on design and historical and contextual value.

The planning and environment committee previously voted to recommend taking no action on the suggestion.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong in considering what we have here in the building and what we can do with it going forward. It doesn’t really stop any kind of development from happening,” Hopkins said.

London’s third city hall at 300 Dufferin Ave. opened in 1971. It was designed by London architect Philip Carter Johnson.

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The building is in the West Woodfield Heritage Conservation District, already protecting the exterior of the building in the context of the Woodfield neighbourhood.

However, the push from the advisory body also sought protection for indoor elements, such as the grand curved terrazzo marble staircase, the sound baffles in council chambers, white marble and black granite flooring in the lobby that matches the building exterior.

Key to the opposition, however, was the prospect of how it could interferer with the master accommodation plan — the long-term goal to build a new site for city staff and council in one location.

Deputy mayor Shawn Lewis said a development application hasn’t been submitted for the property, and that a heritage impact assessment would be done when one is submitted.

“It doesn’t close the door to future action. . . . There is no reason when we are so far out, to task staff today with starting to do a long report,” Lewis said, adding that provincial rules could also change.

City staff previously said the bid process to redevelop the city hall campus, including 300 Dufferin Ave., Reg Cooper Square, and Centennial Hall, would launch early next year.

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Council earmarked $125 million for the new city hall.

FORMER PSYCH HOSPITAL LANDS DEVELOPMENT APPROVED

London’s largest proposed residential development was approved by council Tuesday.

Located along Highbury Avenue, the plan would create 8,400 residential units and accommodate a population of about 15,000.

“Certainly all hands are on deck to ensure that we’re not only approving units, but trying to bring those units to provision,” Mayor Josh Morgan said Tuesday.

Individual blocks of development will need council approval as they come forward. Old Oak intends to start construction in 2025.

jmoulton@postmedia.com

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