Residential Licensing Program

Residential Licensing Program:
The by-law is set to come into effect on March 1, 2010.

Council approved (13/17 ) a rental residential licensing program. The Program specifically and only targets: ‘rental structures containing four or less rental units and converted dwellings’. Please note this program will not apply to apartment buildings, stacked townhouses, or townhouses. The intention of the by-law is to ensure that the health and safety of all the tenants are met, and that tenants are provided with essential services (such as heating and water). Additionally, the by-law strives to see that rental premises do not create a nuisance to surrounding neighbours and residential communities.

You might be wondering how all this will work?

Landlords who own property with four rental units or less, or who own converted dwellings will be required to apply for a license from the City of London to continue their rental business. To apply landlords will complete a checklist provided by the City to ensure that all property standards and regulations are met on the property. The City of London ’s by-law enforcement officers will perform random inspections to make sure the property does indeed meet standards. The by-law (aside from inspections) provides other ways which safeguard against falsely completed checklists and applications by landlords. One such method will be the use of duplicate checklists signed by the tenants of that property.

Here are some examples of what would be on the checklist that landlords would fill out;
Roofs are in good solid condition:
Foundation is strong and stable:
No major cracks in walls:
No signs of visible mould:
Etc.

As always any increase in rent above the guidelines set out by the Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario, must be approved by that agency first. Only an “extraordinary” increase in taxes or fees from a municipality can be claimed as a legitimate reason to increase rent. Please note the cost to landlords is $25 per building

This by-law has come about through lengthy consultation with all stakeholders. The By-law has been amended considerably because of the consultation. Unfortunately many landlords posted inaccurate information about the by-law and this created panic and confusion for many. If you have any further questions please call me.

Urban Structural Plan: London, On.

Urban Structural Plan:  What is that?  http://bit.ly/LYVED Paul Berton summarizes it in the LFP today!

London’s Urban Structural Plan is perhaps our most important Planning document.  The Plan ultimately coordinates the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural sustainability of our communities.  

The Plan is the missing piece in London that has frustrated me over the years.  Without an Urban Structural Plan there is no reference point for so many of our decisions at Council. London's population of 360 deserves such a plan. 

Building a great Livable City requires Planning out to the distant future.  Our Community Plans including The SOHO Community Plan and The Downtown Master Plan now have a planning context for decisions.

Stay tuned; I am a very excited Councillor. 

LOLA

LOLA: London Ontario Live Arts festival.

September 17, 18, 19, 20 2009

LOLA Eve: Gordon Monahan, Judy Bryant, Paul Wald, 

Gordon is setting up for "Two pianos talking to each other"

in Victoria Park.

All power to the LOLA team for bringing together another great line up of events.  Four year ago I attended the first LOLA in Downtown London.  It was a wet and chilly night and now this 2009 promises to be super fine.

Visit the schedule of events and cool map: http://www.lolafest.com/home/map/

or call 888 915 5652

Kick off at MacIntosh Gallery on the UWO campus,  6pm Friday

...check Doors Open London too!

Do London! Doors Open London

Doors Open London

September 19 & 20,  2009

10am - 4pm | Admission FREE

Event Map and Guide available at DO London Headquarters 

Eldon House Interpretive Centre at 481 Ridout Street North

Eldon House is also home to London Heritage Council

Check out the cool Web Site

www.doorsopenlondon.ca

*Ride tourism London's Bus

*DO London Restaurants

*For Kids

*Tips for the Weekend

Take in LOLA too!

Plastic piles up in the oceans

If you ever wonder where all the plastic and other garbage ends up when it is washed down the storm water sewers into the rivers, streams and lakes and then out to sea check out: http://bit.ly/jNdzx

In recent times huge garbage patches were discovered in the Oceans. The two biggest patches (Pacific Gyros) in the mighty Pacific Ocean combine to form a massive area the size of USA.

London City Council has made a number of small moves to encourage us to reduced our plastic usage. This is elementary in terms of influencing behavior. For example London City Council was the first in Canada to eliminate selling plastic water bottles from City owned facilities. We will need to do more!

Housing CO-OP

Mary Campbell CO-OP

A Co-operative Housing Community Celebrates 25 years of 

Co-operative Living.

In the co-operative spirit 64 apartments in three separate buildings form a self governed corporation.  15% of the units are held for members on a rent geared to income plan.  Member participation in the running of the co-op helps to build a strong community and keep housing charges low.

The Mary Campbell Housing Co-operative Inc., was named in honour of Mary Campbell, a well know feminist and social activist in London, who died in 1982.

Blackfriars Restoration

I am excited to share with you great news about the Bishop's Mansion on Central Ave.  The house commonly known as "Blackfriars' was bought from the Roman Catholic diocese by an ambitious group of four.  They have transformed this 1875 Italianate style grand home into deluxe condominiums.  

Congratulation to the owners  for seizing an opportunity to save an impressive piece of London History.  The grand home now provides a living history in London thanks to a creative team of owners, designers, artists, builders, artisans and trades people!

Clearly a 21st Century life style can be accommodated in homes that retain their elegance and historic presence in the streetscape.

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my blog.  I will use it to help keep in touch with you by letting you know what is happening at Council, in the City and in our surrounding communities.  

Like many of you I live, work and play in the downtown and surrounding area.  I often get to talk to you when I am out walking and this helps to inform me of issues and concerns in our neighbourhoods.