Last week, the City held the first of two public information sessions on its plans to improve the traffic flows at the Sarnia and Western Road intersection. As an Environmental Assessment, the city is required to examine alternatives, and make recommendations as to the best alternative (a similar process has just been completed for the Wharncliffe and Oxford intersection and the passage under the railroad bridge). You will find the alternatives being considered at this point on the next to last page of the presentation.
Continue reading “Western Road and Sarnia Road / Philip Aziz Avenue Improvements”
Tag: Western University
Campus Master Plan, School Site, and the Medway Valley
Western University Campus Master Plan
The University is updating its Campus Master Plan. You can find information and a copy of the Plan at:
http://www.uwo.ca/ipb/publicaccountability/campus_master_plan.html
Continue reading “Campus Master Plan, School Site, and the Medway Valley”
Western University siren testing this week
Western has planned a test of its emergency weather siren between Tuesday and Thursday, Aug. 26-28, to ensure the system’s effective operation in warning campus and the surrounding community of severe weather situations.
The sirens are intended to be heard outdoors, and when that happens you should take immediate shelter indoors. Western is attempting to be able to send social media notifications when the audible tests are sounding this week, but these tests are not scheduled and at the discretion of those installing additional hardware.
It is Western’s intention to begin regular audible tests of the weather siren this Fall. They will share information about these tests as it becomes available.
To find out more about Western’s Emergency Weather Siren and what to do in an actual acute weather situation, visit the Severe Weather Siren webpage.
October Update
Mobile Organic market – Last Appearance of the Season
The mobile organic market will be at 113 Bloomfield Drive on Thursday, October 31, from 6:45 to 7:45 pm
Here’s what to expect:
“…I was planning next week to bring pomegranates and tea for some special items, and the onions, garlic, beetroot, carrots and potatoes in large baskets so that people may stock up for winter, if they wish.
Here’s a list of what I expect to have on Halloween:
-Pomegranates
-Pears
-Pumpkins
-Potatoes
-Onions
-Garlic
-Kale
-Spinach
-Mixed Squash
-Seasonal treats- maple butter, maple syrup, apple butter -Coffee, tea both local companies (organic)”
Invitation from the University
Please join us for the Grand Opening of Ontario Hall Residence
– Tuesday November 5, 2013
– 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Schedule
– 9:00 AM – Reception
– 9:30 AM – Speeches
– 10:00 AM – Guided Tours
Complimentary parking will be available in the Ontario Hall Parking Lot behind the building.
Please RSVP by October 31 to ontario.rsvp@uwo.ca
Medway Valley Conservation Master Plan
The presentation of the Phase 1 findings and the kick off to Phase 2 are to be presented at a community meeting later this year or early in the new year. We don’t have dates yet from the city staff in charge of this project, but will update you as soon as we do.
Downtown Master Plan
For those who were unable to attend the October 16th community engagement session regarding the draft Downtown Master Plan, an online survey has been created to gather further input. Click the link below in order to take part in the survey. Please note the survey response deadline is Friday November 1st, 2013. The Master Plan, if implemented, will cost many millions of tax supported dollars. Have your say.
You can find the SURVEY at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DowntownMP
The purpose of this survey is to gauge public interest and receive comments on elements of the draft Downtown Master Plan. This Survey has been prepared in two parts to align with the format used at the public consultation event that took place on October 16th, 2013 at the London Convention Centre. In this way, this survey serves as the alternate means of consultation for those who were unable to attend the event. For more information regarding the 6 Actions and 10 Transformational Projects please review the draft Downtown Master Plan.
Please help us spread the word by forwarding the survey link to family, friends and co-workers.
**If you are in need of assistance please contact us via email at: planning@london.ca or call us at: 519-661-4980
Kindest Regards,
Sincerely,
Sean Galloway and Heather McNeely
Rethink London Team | http://www.rethinklondon.ca
Email: Rethink@London.ca | Twitter: @RethinkLdn | Facebook: ReThink London | Phone: 519-661-498
August newsletter
University Matters
The new student residence (Ontario Hall) on Sarnia Road is open. Some questions and concerns have been raised about lighting and jaywalking already. Please report any difficulties to the following:
- Traffic flows/design: City Transportation Planning, Maged Elmadhoon, M.Eng., P.Eng., Manager, Transportation Planning, City of London, 519-661-2500 x 4934, melmadho@london.ca or Mark Ridley, Senior Technologist, x 4736, mridley@london.ca
- Street lighting: Shane Maguire, Division Manager of Roadway Lighting & Traffic Control, 519-661-2500 x 8488, SMaguire@london.ca (Shane advises that there are no plans to upgrade the lighting on Sarnia Road at this time but he’ll keep it in mind for future work.) For calls about street light or traffic light outages, call 519 661-2641
- Jaywalking/speeding: London Police Services, 519-661-5670
- Jaywalking: Glenn Matthews, Housing Mediation Officer, Western University, glenn@housing.uwo.ca or 519-661-3787. Glenn is also the contact if you are having trouble with tenants who are renting a house in your area.
Brescia’s new residence and dining facility has its opening ceremony during the morning of September 6th. Brescia reminds everyone in the neighbourhood that its new Dining Pavilion is being designed with a view to inviting the community in, and to providing spaces to gather and connect, whether that be over a coffee or lunch.
Rental Housing
If you do see any new “for rent” signs spring up, please let Sandy Levin know and he can send the information along to the city to determine if the rental property has been licensed.
Sherwood Forest School Site
The school board will declare the site surplus on September 10th. It will then be made available to public bodies listed in Regulation 444/98. Each body will have 90 days to submit an offer. If no offers are received, the school board is free to sell it to anyone.
The following passed 10-4 at City Council this week. Opposed were Councillors Polhill, Swan, Armstrong, and Henderson. Councillor M. Brown had a conflict of interest because he works for the School Board and will not be voting on this matter.
Recommendation: That the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to review and report back to the Corporate Services Cte on Sept 24, 2013, on the following matters related to the surplus school property known as Sherwood Forest Public School
a) the potential acquisition of the subject property, on the basis that:
i) there is a municipal need for community green space for the adjacent neighbourhood; and
ii) the City of London’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Strengthening Neighbourhoods identifies a need for amenities in the neighbourhood; and
b) the potential severance and disposition of any portion of the subject property that might be declared surplus to the City of London’s needs and disposed of in accordance with the City of London’s Sale and Other Disposition of Land Policy, should Council decide to proceed with the acquisition of the subject property.
In short, the city will not be buying the site and then reselling it for a community use, but Council has asked for more information on severing the site and possibly retaining some park space. No dollar amount has been determined, nor is there money in the city budget for 2014 for this at this point. Councillor Branscombe shared with us that they did have some discussions with school board staff and it appears that the school board disposal process (after the public bodies have passed on the site) is a guide and not a mandated process by the Province. How the school board will proceed with interested parties will be up to the Trustees.
Traffic on Lawson Road
A speed and volume study was completed in June and here are the results:
- Eastbound- 800 vehicles per day, average speed 45 km/hr., 85th percentile 54 km/hr.
- Westbound- 700 vehicles per day, average speed 38 km/hr., 85th percentile 57 km/hr.
These results indicate Lawson is functioning as a normal secondary collector. Under the new policy this street would not qualify for traffic calming; front line mitigating measures would be used to address neighbourhood traffic concerns. The methods would include tools such as driver feedback boards (PEEP installed on street earlier this year), targeted police enforcement (specific neighbours who drive fast through the area), sign installation and pavement marking modifications.
School Trustee Appointment
Thames Valley District School Board trustees will be accepting applications to fill the trustee vacancy on the Board following the recent election of Trustee Peggy Sattler as MPP for London West. Ms. Sattler was one of two trustees who represented our area of the city. Applicants will be asked to complete an application form accompanied by a resume and proof of qualification. Interested candidates may obtain an application on the Board’s website at http://www.tvdsb.on.ca or in hard copy at the Thames Valley District School Board offices, 1250 Dundas Street.
Applications will be accepted by the Chairperson of the Board as indicated on the application up until 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. Following an interview process, a recommendation for appointment will be taken to the Board for approval. The successful applicant will complete the Boards’ current four-year term that expires on November 30, 2014. For More Information:
Joyce Bennett, Chair Thames Valley District School Board 1250 Dundas Street E. London N6A 5L1 519-452-2000 ext. 20219 j.bennett@tvdsb.on.ca
Councillor Compensation Survey
A Citizen Task Force is working on a recommendation to city council on the compensation for the Mayor and Council members beginning with the Council elected in the fall of next year. The Task Force has developed a survey that will shortly appear on the city’s web site (London.ca). You are encouraged to complete the survey. Hard copies will also be available at library branches.
From Neighbourhood Watch
Several phone calls have been reported where a recorded female voice says:
“Thanks for being a loyal Shoppers Drug Mart customer. You have won a free vacation from Shoppers Drug Mart. All you have to do is press number 1 on your phone to arrange to get it.”
Shoppers Drug Mart informed Police that they have received a number of complaints about these calls.
IMPORTANT:
- Shoppers Drug Mart DOES NOT have a free vacation contest going on and this is indeed a scam.
- If you do press 1 then you will be asked for your credit card information.
- If you receive a call like this, Police suggest that you call Shoppers customer service to let them know, as it may assist them in an investigation.
TD Waterhouse Stadium Events
-Mon Sep 2 – Mustang Football vs Carleton 7pm
-Sat Sep 14 – Mustang Football vs Ottawa 1pm
-Sun Sep 15 – Beefeater Football 1pm
-Mon Sep 16 – United Way Football (1 game @ 9:30am)
-Tues Sep 17 – United Way Football (2 games @ 9:30am & 12pm)
-Wed Sep 18 – United Way Football (2 games @ 9:30am & 12pm)
-Fri Sep 20 – United Way Football (2 games @ 9:30am & 12pm)
-Tues Sep 24 – United Way Football (1 game @ 10:30am)
-Wed Sep 25 – United Way Football (1 game @ 10:30am)
-Thur Sep 26 – United Way Football (1 game @ 10:30am)
-Sat Sep 28 – Homecoming Football vs Queens 1pm
-Sat Sept 28 – Beefeater Football 8pm
– Sat Oct 19 – Mustang Football vs York 1pm
– Sat Oct 26, Nov 2, & 9 – Mustang Football Playoffs – tba 1pm
– Sat Nov 16 – Thames Valley High School Football 10am-10pm
Orchard Park / Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association 