There’s been a significant breakthrough that could see extensive residential growth along Oxford Street West, east of Wonderland Road in London, Ont.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has cleared the way for a unique, two-zone approach in the flood plain along the Mud Creek watershed, in west London.
The proposal was approved at the UTRCA board meeting on Tuesday morning.
“Traditionally there’s only one floodway,” Board Chair Brian Petrie told CTV News London.
He continued, “This approach signifies that there’s a larger floodway and there’s fringe areas on it that are less at risk to having some development in them. They still have to be reviewed to make sure they’re safe but this opens up possibilities for development where, at one time, it may not have been possible.”
The city has engineered flood management strategies to reduce risk along the edges of the flood plain.
The unique two-zone flood plain approved by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority on April 16, 2024 will open up an opportunity for thousands of new residential units along Oxford Street West in London, Ont. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
That will open the door for almost 4,000 residential units south of Oxford Street West, just east of Wonderland Road. They would range from townhouses to apartment towers.
The original motion recommended a watershed review every 10 years but an amendment moved by board member Sandy Levin changed the wording to say “at least” every 10 years, allowing for more frequent reviews based on new development proposals or observed impacts caused by the changes.
Anna Hopkins is the councillor for Ward 9 and a member of the UTRCA board, and supports the amendment.
“Corridors change, development changes as we go forward. So, it’s keeping an eye, making sure that this two-stage flood plain is safe,” she said.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority approved a two-zone approach to the Mud Creek flood plain in London, Ont. during a meeting on April 16, 2024. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
UTRCA staff said the strategy is also designed to ensure that at risk species are protected and other waterways are not negatively impacted by the changes.
Hopkins said many residents in the area have raised concerns about the clearing of trees and other vegetation in the area.
She said the plan is to restore the greenspace.
“I know it looks very raw sometimes when we take down the trees, but what we’re putting back in that plan, naturalizing that river corridor, will create a natural environment that Londoners want to be part of,” she explained.
https://london.ctvnews.ca/utrca-approves-multi-zone-flood-plain-plan-for-west-london-watershed-1.6849841
