Would “Infill Incentives” Help London?

Much has been made of the London Plan. The cities new official plan that sets the road map for growth and development in the city of London. Our current council is hoping that it will set a focus on more infill projects with the city of London. Would infill incentives help?

The Mayor of Vancouver seems to think they will help his city. They are going to be offering incentives for ‘ character homes’. That is homes built pre-1940’s. Vancouver has some 12,000 of these. The incentives would allow more density and infill options around these homes and on larger lots

The proposals include:

Introducing laneway homes (rentals);
Increasing the number of homes allowed on a 33’ lot from two to three;
Introducing a new detached form for duplex that allows for two separate houses on a lot, with a larger house at the front and a smaller house at the lane; and
Permitting large lots to build a new 4plex.

Should London look at something similar? Perhaps. However the main barrier to driving people to live downtown still exists. You cannot force people to live somewhere. Families want nice back yards, convenience to highways and services. Downtown living is a great lifestyle for some, not for everyone.

Our city seems to have lost sight of that.

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