As you know, the Sherwood Forest Public School is closing June 30, 2013. After that date, the school board, under Regulation 444/ 98 will offer the site to a defined list of public bodies including the city and other school boards. If none make an offer, it will be offered on the open market. Unlike most other school sites in the city, this one is expected to attract the interest of the development community.
A group of residents have been working on the following ideas:
One of the concerns raised at the recent Annual General Meeting of the Orchard Park Sherwood Forest Ratepayers was the increase in the number of houses being turned into rental accommodation for students where the owner does not live in the house.
As you may know, there is a rental licensing by law for houses that have been converted to rentals. However, they city may not know that a house has been converted. It then becomes up to neighbours to contact the city. The city will then take action to determine if the house is licensed.
The Ratepayers can take action in one of two ways. The city has offered to review a list provided by the Ratepayers to see if rental houses are licensed and if not, send by law enforcement out to ensure the rules are being followed. If you would like to send the addresses to Sandy Levin at s.levin@sympatico.ca by the end of August, he will provide the list to the city.
Alternatively, if you wish to contact the city directly, you can either e-mail or call the city at
519-930-3515 or rentallicensing@london.ca
Information on rental licensing can be found at:
http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Planning_and_Development/Land_Use_Planning/rentallicensing.htm
The City’s Manager of Urban Forestry would like to remind Londoners the tree watering alert remains in effect. Londoners should continue to water all trees until consecutive weeks of adequate rain occur – typically 25 mm per week.
The best way to water a new tree, or one planted within the past five years, is with a slow trickle from your garden hose for 30-60 minutes. Alternatively, you can drill small holes in a 20 litre (5 gallon) bucket. Fill the bucket and place it near the base of the tree and allow it to drain slowly.
When watering larger trees, use a garden hose, and water in a circle around the area that extends from the trunk base to the outermost branches to reach the full root system. Using a lawn sprinkler is a great way to reach the root system. Place a rain gauge within the watering area and stop when 25 mm of rain has collected. Alternatively, you can use a small empty tuna can, and stop watering when it’s filled halfway.
Town Hall Meeting – Improving our neighborhoods and protecting the value of our homes
Organized by Don Bartlett and Paul Beechey
King’s University College – Labatt Hall
http://www.geography.uwo.ca/campusmaps/images/map/westernandaffiliates.pdf
SW corner of Waterloo St. & Epworth Ave.
Wednesday, July 18th, 2012
6:30 pm – Registration
7:00 – 8:30pm – Presentation & Discussion
Continue reading “Town Hall Meeting regarding student rental housing in neighborhoods”
Good news from the City Council meeting of this week. Council managed to pass the amendments to implement the recommendations in the Great Near Campus plan (i.e. to control the number of bedrooms in multi unit housing, parking, landscaped open space). Councillor Branscombe was also able to get the ball rolling on the possibility of limiting the number of rental licenses issued for areas where single family homes are being converted to rentals. City staff will report back to City Council on this. A limit on licenses will be helpful as it is expected that the GNCN amendments that were passed will be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board by at least one builder of multi-family housing around the University. When appealed, the amendments do not take force and effect.
The minutes of the Council meeting (June 26) should be posted shortly on the city’s web site – http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Meetings/Default/meetingpackages.htm
Orchard Park / Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association 