Tag: Sarnia Road

Sarnia & Western Construction Project

Construction of Western Road, Philip Aziz Avenue, and the intersection is planned to begin in May 2026 under the Phase 1 contract. Construction on Western Road, including the intersection, is anticipated to require one construction season targeting completion by the end of October 2026. Construction on Philip Aziz Avenue will require over one construction season, planned to be complete by approximately mid-2027.

Construction of the Sarnia Road walking and cycling infrastructure improvements will be completed under a separate Phase 2 contract planned to be completed in 2027 subject to property acquisition required to support the project.

There will be an open house prior to the start of the project location and date to be announced.

The Report to Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee is available here.

Traffic Management and Communications

A traffic staging plan has been developed and is included in the construction plans. These plans balance mobility and access during all stages of construction while allowing the project to be completed in a timely and cost-effective manner. The following impacts and mitigations are anticipated during construction:

• Western Road from Platt’s Lane to Sarnia Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the construction in 2026.

• A full closure of the Western Road / Sarnia Road / Philip Aziz Avenue intersection will be required for up to two weeks to complete sewer and water connections. The closure is planned outside of the school year, when traffic volumes are anticipated to be lower.

• Philip Aziz Avenue will be closed for the duration of the project. Access to Alumni Stadium will be maintained via Huron Drive.

• Access to homes and businesses will be maintained.

• Construction activities will continue to be coordinated with Western University and London Transit Commission.

The traffic management plan will be communicated, monitored, and adjusted during construction based on traffic conditions.

Changes to the development proposal at 299-307 Sarnia Road

The owners of the two properties at 299-307 Sarnia Road have made changes to their previous proposal.  It is consistent with changes City Council have made to the heights of buildings along Sarnia Road.  Detailed concept drawings are attached.

  • Height is now 8-storeys along Sarnia Road, with a step back to 6-storeys and then 4-storeys as you go further north on the property.
  • Layby location is now solely on the property (8-storey proposal), whereas it was within the boulevard for the 6-storey proposal.
    • This will likely still be a topic of debate between the City Planners and the owners regarding the location of the layby
  • Interior side yard setback of 12.0m (both 8-storey and 6-storey proposal)
  • Rear yard setback of 12.5m (both 8-storey and 6-storey proposal)
  • 6-storey proposal = 150 units and 585 beds, 8-storey proposal = 182 units and 585 beds
  • The final parking layout/number is yet to be determined; the attached currently shows 108 spaces for 182 units, whereas the previous 6-storey proposal had 166 spaces for 150 units.

As you can see, they are not using the 542 Kininvie Drive property as part of this project. 

Considering the nature of the change from the previous approved 6-storey proposal (additional 2-storey height and 32 residential unit increase), the planning consultants for the owners won’t be arranging a community meeting; however, they are more than happy to set up a virtual or in person meeting for anyone interested in the nature of these changes as a more focused group. The primary reason is that both our Site Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application are still subject to a public meeting at City Hall where anyone can raise concerns with the City’s Planning Committee (a committee of City Council made up of City Councillors); the changes are in line with the London Plan; and this new proposal does not significantly differ from what they already have approval for (with 6 storeys).

This being said, you can contact the planning consultant, Katelyn Crowley directly, katelyn.c@zpplan.com  with a copy to Councillor Trosow strosow@london.ca and opsfrp@gmail.com with questions and concerns.  Katelyn is also happy to set up a virtual meeting or small group meeting. 

As an aside, for those concerned about overflow parking ending up on Kininvie, I would recommend asking for 8 am to 6 pm parking restrictions.  This can be requested by e-mailing parkingregulationchangerequest@london.ca    

We anticipate that construction will start later this year on one or both of the developments at 279 and 299-307 Sarnia Road.  The development at 279 is still, at present anyway, for two three-storey buildings.

Collectively, we are hamstrung by Provincial legislation that took away the rights of citizens and neighbourhood associations to appeal land use decisions by City Councils.

Western & Sarnia Road Project Update

Construction of Philip Aziz Avenue and Western Road is planned to begin in Spring 2026. The construction of the roadworks is anticipated to require one construction season, with some planned carry-over and finishing work in 2027. Finalization of the construction staging plan will include coordination with Western University administration.

    Construction of the Sarnia Road walking and cycling infrastructure improvements will be completed under a separate contract, planned to be completed in 2027 subject to property acquisition required to support the project.

    For more information see the report to the City’s Community and Protective Services Committee (skip to p. 27).

    Community Information Session November 13 – Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment at 299 & 307 Sarnia Road

    At the information session, the consultant will go over the history of the project and the changes to the original application for everyone’s information.  It is a different concept than we first heard about. The flyer with further information is available here.

    Rezoning updates – Sarnia Road

    REZONING AT 279 SARNIA ROAD FOR TWO – 3 STORY BUILDINGS

    This application will be heard at a public participation meeting at City Hall this Tuesday, October 22, around 1:45 pm (the meeting is also on line.  If you wish to speak on line, write pec@london.ca prior to the meeting).  The two buildings will have a total of 20 units, each with 3 bedrooms.  The full report is available here.  Your Executive is supportive of this application because it will be managed by the builder who is a local builder, is not as tall as currently permitted and has fewer bedrooms than permitted. 

    REZONING AT 299-307 SARNIA ROAD

    There will be an information session on the revised proposal for development of these two properties.  The session will occur on November 13th starting at 6 pm at St. Ansgar Church, in the Church hall.  St. Ansgar is at the corner of Lawson and Wonderland (with lots of parking).  Members of your Executive are meeting with Councillor Trosow and the proponent’s consultants prior to the session.  After our meeting, there will be more information as to what is proposed.