ORCHARD PARK & SHERWOOD FOREST GARAGE SALE – MAY 11, 8:00 A.M. TO NOON

Back by popular demand! The Orchard Park & Sherwood Forest Garage Sale will be May 11, 8:00 am – noon, rain or shine.

Our community garage sales have allowed for our neighbours to:

  • participate with minimal effort. That means that the all-important signage and advertising will be taken care of for you.
  • put out a little or a lot on your driveway / in your garage if it’s raining
  • simply commit to getting your stuff put out before 8:00 a.m. on May 11th and that you have a lot of change on hand – cash is king!  Plastic or excess reusable bags are handy to have on hand as well. 
  • learn / meet more of your neighbours and find treasures for you and yours too! 

New to Garage Sale-ing your stuff? Some Tips ….

Some folks don’t have the time or inclination to individually price all of their items.  If that is you, be prepared to make snap decisions regarding the offers you get – or answer the questions as to the price you want for any given item or bundles of items.

Other folks like to individually price their items.  That way they can have a family member or friend help them and people aren’t left standing and waiting while you’re deciding on prices with an interested buyer.

People love a bargain. Be prepared to be asked if you’ll accept an amount less than “the sticker price” or the price you verbally gave them. Haggling is part of the fun for many people who are avid garage sale-er’s.  Don’t take offense!     

REMEMBER YOUR OBJECTIVE – clear the clutter! Nothing is too big or too small.

Medway Valley Heritage Forest ESA needs your help

On January 29, 2024, starting at 4 p.m., the City Council’s Budget Committee will hear from the public on the multi-year budget. One small addition to the proposed budget – to increase the staff of the ESA Team – would be a big help for the protection and preservation of London’s Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) including “our” Medway Valley Heritage Forest ESA.

The formal title of the “ask” is ESA Management – Business Case #62. The purpose is to: (1) restore staffing level of the ESA Team to the level of 2014 by adding one new member in 2024, and (2) increase the ESA Team by another person in 2026.

For the average property this would cause a total tax increase of just $1.32 over four years.

The ESA Team current has four members who are responsible for 1900 hectares in the 12 city owned ESAs, which includes the Medway. ESA management consists of five elements:

  • Monitoring and enhancing the natural resource features, including managing invasive species;
  • Monitoring and enhancing the natural resource features, including managing invasive species;
  • Overseeing and implementing risk management and hazard tree policies to keep trails safe;
  • Developing and maintaining the trail system;
  • Educating the community through programs, events and community projects.

THE RISK OF DOING NOTHING IS CONTINUED DEGRADATION OF CITY PROPERTY. London’s ESAs are highly valued by Londoners, and essential places for nature.

Why this budget increase is needed?

Public use of ESAs increased during COVID restrictions and has not declined to pre-COVID levels. The ESA Team has been spending time working with the City on encampment issues. In addition, the amount of ESA land being managed has increased substantially without an increase in staffing, stretching resources even further. Finally, since 2015, there have been 6,900 new housing units built within 500 m of the 12 ESAs. More use by more people results in more degradation of trails and nature in London’s ESAs.

Funding for the ESA Team could be compared to funding a new firehall. In the case of a firehall you need the people and equipment to operate it – you can’t just buy part of a fire truck or hire part of a fire fighter. Adding one person to the ESA Team (Business Case #62) would at least return the staffing level to what it was 10 years ago.

Is there an alternative?

If Council doesn’t want to be all-in, it could juggle the hiring to delay it by a year, or add one position in 2024, and delay the second position by a year, or some other combination. In any event, additional staffing is needed to replace what was lost in 2014 and to address the increase in ESA land being managed, as well as the increased use of ESAs by the public.

What can you do?

Write or call the Mayor at mayor@london.ca and city councillors, or tell City Council in person or online. The contact list for city councillors is available at https://london.ca/sites/default/files/2023-09/Council-Contact-List-Sept2023.pdf . NOTE: We have already heard from Ward 6 Councillor Sam Trosow and he is in full support for the addition to the ESA team. He suggests letting other councillors know of your support for this item because there are Environmentally Significant Areas in all parts of the City

Change to City by-laws regarding number of residential units per lot

The City has posted a draft zoning bylaw amendment that proposes to make certain changes to additional residential unit regulations, and to other regulations for development near-campus including in our neighbourhood. The changes are not final and are subject to approval by City Council’s Planning Committee and city council.

The proposed amendments are at: https://london.ca/business-development/planning-development-applications/planning-applications/city-wide-5-bedroom-0

Here is an explanation of the proposed changes. We are seeking additional information from city staff.

The public participation meeting before City Council’s Planning Committee has already been scheduled for January 30th to start no earlier than 1 pm. The staff report to this Committee of Council will be available around the 23rd and will be circulated to you along with an estimate of when the matter will be heard. You can appear in person at City Hall or via Zoom if you wish to speak to the proposal.

If you wish your comments to be seen by members of the Planning Committee, you should write them to pec@london.ca with a request that they appear on the meeting agenda regarding File: OZ-9661.

Your request should be sent no later than January 12th with a copy to the city planner writing the report bcoveney@london.ca – unfortunately, this is how the City’s process works – you have to comment before you see the final report.