LONDON — The London City Council approved a significant residential redevelopment project on November 7, 2023, transforming the site of the former St. Robert Catholic Elementary School, located northeast of the intersection of Clarke Road and Trafalgar Street.
This 2.98-hectare site, previously home to the school until its closure in 2018 and subsequent demolition in 2021, is set to become a vibrant residential community.
The approved development plan, led by MHD, proposes a mix of housing types, including single-detached homes, street townhouses, and apartment buildings, resulting in a total of approximately 224 residential units.
The development will feature a range of housing options, from low-density single-detached dwellings to medium-density apartments, accommodating both market-rate and affordable housing.
The zoning by-law amendment passed by the Council rezones the property from ‘Neighbourhood Facility’ (NF) to a combination of residential zones, including ‘Residential 1-2’ (R1-2), ‘Residential 4-5, special zone’ (R4-5(*)), ‘Residential 5-6, special zone’ (R5-6(*)), ‘Residential 6-5, special zone’ (R6-5(*)), and ‘Open Space 1(3)’ (OS1(3)).
The development includes two single-detached residential lots, two blocks of street townhouses, and three blocks of medium-density residential buildings.
The medium-density blocks, specifically Blocks 5 and 6, will feature apartment buildings with special zoning provisions.
These provisions allow for reduced setbacks, increased building heights up to 14 metres (four storeys), and increased residential densities.
For instance, Block 5 will have 100 residential units on 0.52 hectares of land, achieving a net density of 200 units per hectare, far exceeding the typical maximum density of 50 units per hectare in the R5-6 zone.
In addition to the residential units, Block 7 of the development will include a mixed-use building. The ground floor of this building is designated for small-scale community facility uses, such as a library or community centre, and limited secondary commercial uses.
This block also benefits from special zoning provisions, including reduced front and side yard setbacks and an increased building height of 14 metres.
The inclusion of these non-residential uses is intended to serve both the residents of the development and the broader neighbourhood, aligning with the London Plan’s vision of creating complete communities.
A new public park and pathway are also planned as part of the development, occupying 0.28 hectares of the site.
The park will provide green space for residents and contribute to the overall attractiveness of the neighbourhood.
The project will also extend Duluth Crescent, improving vehicular and pedestrian connectivity within the neighbourhood.
This redevelopment of the former St. Robert Catholic Elementary School site represents a strategic effort to introduce new housing options in a well-connected area of London.
With its diverse mix of housing types, community facilities, and proximity to public amenities, the project is poised to contribute positively to the surrounding neighbourhood while making efficient use of the available land.
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