Full Breakdown
London Council Blocks Height Increase for Sarnia Road Student Housing
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Context
The site at 299-307 Sarnia Rd., west of Western Road, was approved in June 2025 for a six-storey, 150-unit apartment building. The developer, Kimko Inc. and a numbered holding company, later submitted an amended application seeking an eight-storey structure with 204 residential units, 188 vehicle parking spaces and 225 bicycle parking spaces. City planning staff recommended approval of the amendment, noting it met the Planning Act and the London Plan.
Decision and Vote
During a Tuesday council meeting, members voted 13-2 to reject the height and density increase. Only Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis and Councillor Skylar Franke supported the amendment. Three planning-committee members who had initially endorsed the project—Councillors Steve Lehman, Steven Hillier and Peter Cuddy—joined the majority in opposition. The council’s rejection leaves the developer able to proceed with the original six-storey, 150-unit plan or to appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Josh Morgan warned that overturning the earlier compromise could undermine public confidence in the planning process, while emphasizing the importance of the heights review for managing city growth and finances. Deputy Mayor Lewis cautioned that rejecting the proposal might trigger a tribunal appeal and stressed that discrimination based on prospective occupants would be unlawful. Councillor Sam Trosow reiterated that the opposition was not an anti-student stance but reflected genuine neighbourhood concerns.
Criticism & Opposition
Councillors voiced worries that additional student housing could increase noise and alter the character of the quiet, long-standing residential area. Transparency concerns were raised about the accessibility of information on the amended plan, with Councillor Susan Stevenson arguing that residents were not adequately notified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’ve had this file now for a few years, and it’s gone through different iterations, and what really bothers me is everyone involved worked so hard and gave up things that were important to them to reach a compromise,” — Sam Trosow, ward councillor
- “This is an area that’s very quiet, residents have been here for years,” — Peter Cuddy
- “It would be contrary to the law for us to discriminate on an application based on who was going to live there,” — Shawn Lewis, deputy mayor
- “Everybody understands that there's going to be more student housing in the neighborhood,” — Ward
- “In my opinion, it wasn't done in such a way that I can stand with the development process on this,” — Coun. Susan Stevenson