The City has released their second draft of The London Plan.
The plan looks to better steer how London will grow through the next 20 years.
This includes how transit, roads, buildings and other items of a city will look, be built and developed.
The second draft comes after City Planning employees consulted over 13,000 residents.
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The Managing Director of Planning and City Planner, John Fleming, says this is a key component for London.
“I call the London Plan the community’s playbook for city-building over the next 20 years. The community’s interest in The London Plan remains extremely strong. Thousands of Londoners have reviewed The Plan and we’ve received hundreds of comments – from general to very specific. We’re now looking forward to the last round of public engagement with the goal of wrapping up The Plan for final adoption by Council by year’s end.”
Fleming says there’s a few things for residents to keep in mind while final consultations are happening.
“What kind of future city are Londoners looking for? When we establish that, we then look to figure out how we are going to get there.”
He notes the input was great. This was done through meetings, consultations, social media, email, mail, surveys and online forums.
“Really, the engagement has helped make the second draft better than what the first draft was,” says Fleming.
He says the different type of engagements allow people to communicate in the way they feel comfortable.
“We need to allow Londoners to engage on their own terms. So, no longer do you need to come to us on a specified meeting. You can avoid long dragged out presentations and still be heard loud and clear.”
Mayor Matt Brown says this is Council’s chance to ensure every resident gets their input.
“The London Plan is an opportunity of a generation. It defines how London will grow over the next 20 years and I am proud of the work that has been completed so far. This second draft is Council’s opportunity to check-in with the community to make sure we have got it right before approving the final document later this year.”
Fleming says this will help London move on with the times.
“Something that really helps London make it to the next level. This is in terms of getting London to the level where we can attract people to the city while keeping everyone else here.”
The first public participation meeting regarding of the Second Draft of the London Plan will be held on June 22 at 4 PM.
Timeline:
May 2014: Launch of the London Plan
May – December 2014: Consulted residents about the plan, gather input
March 2015: Staff updated Council about the first draft
May – October 2015: Consultation will take place on the second draft
End of 2015: One final public participation meeting; Council expected to adopt the plan
*The London Plan will then go to the Province of Ontario for final approval