Quick notes from the April 10 community workshop

The workshop for community input on the Sherwood Forest School Site, held on Thurs, April 10, was a great success. More than 100 residents participating in over 10 workshop tables. Councillor Branscombe was thanked for her work. there were more than 10 City planning staff facilitating at the tables.

After an opening overview, attendees spent 45 minutes creating designs. The staff could have provided some more detail on HOW to design with the pieces of “townhouse” “Park” and tennis courts, but overall it was an excellent experience. People were looking for erasers to make changes, not available; staff provided trace paper to make second designs.

It was reiterated that the City will not build this project. Once a new developer buys the land, they could rezone it again. Brian Turcotte talked about next steps being a “dot democracy” community selection of the results, likely May 7.

Overall, excellent community participation. We will need to see the interpretation by staff on May 7.

Neighborhood events – April/May

“Brain Gym Refresher”
Weds, April 9, 2014
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Sherwood Branch Library

Back by popular demand, the 1 hour interactive workshop by Susan Vrancic from Waverley Mansion will provide information on how we can keep our minds and bodies in great shape. The session is free with no registration required. Bring a friend! For more information, call Medway Seniors 519-473-9965.

Community Workshop on Sherwood Forest Public School Site
Thurs, April 10, 2014
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Banting S.S. Cafeteria

Medway Community Conversation Continues
sponsored by the Child and Youth Network
Wed, April 15, 2014
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Banting S.S.
Refreshments and Child Minding provided
For more information, contact Cara McMahon, 226-919-5754 or camcmaho@london.ca

Tentative Date for 2nd Workshop on the Sherwood Forest School Site
May 7, 2014

Community workshop scheduled for April 10, 2014

The community workshop for the Sherwood Forest School site will be held April 10th.

We don’t have the location yet, but that should be available shortly.

Notices will be mailed by the city to all residents in Orchard Park/Sherwood Forest.

City makes offer on Sherwood Forest School site

The city of London has made an offer to purchase the Sherwood Forest School site. The offer is conditional on the site being rezoned within 120 days for parkland and for housing.

120 days is a short timeline for a rezoning process. As part of the process, there will be a community workshop held in April (date, time and location to be determined). All households in Orchard Park/Sherwood Forest will receive a notice in the mail from the city with the particulars.

The workshop will provide some background but focus on getting us to tell city staff what we are looking for in park usage and housing on the site.

City staff will use the information gathered from the April workshop, and come back to the community with more detail at a second community meeting. The goal is to have a rezoning application ready to be presented at a public participation meeting before City Council’s Planning Committee before the 120 period expires. The city would then acquire the site and find a developer/builder to implement what comes out of the process.

This is an exciting pilot project for the city and for our community. Hopefully you can attend the workshops.

If you have questions, please contact Sandy Levin.