LONDON — Oxford West Gateway Inc. is seeking approval to undertake a transformative development project in the heart of London’s west quadrant.
The proposed development, located at 1856 – 1870 Oxford Street West, seeks to amend the Zoning By-law to introduce a high-density, mixed-use apartment building with ground-floor commercial spaces.
The envisioned project includes the construction of two towers, totalling 223 units. The proposal includes one 11-storey tall tower and the other 10-storey, along with a base podium featuring ground-floor commercial units totalling approximately 840 square metres.
The development site offers high visibility and accessibility, fronting onto Oxford Street West and Westdel Bourne, encompassing an area of approximately 3.28 hectares (8.1 acres).
The proposed endeavour aims to redefine the landscape of the existing commercial shopping area known as “WestRock,” situated between Westdel Bourne and Riverbend Road.
The proposed parking spaces form a crucial component of the development plan. While the existing zoning regulations mandate 259 parking spaces, the proposed project intends to provide 511 spaces, ensuring ample parking availability for residential, visitor, and commercial use.
In addition to parking spaces, bus stop facilities are located to the east on Commissioners Road and Riverbend Road, providing linkage to Route #17 – Byron/Riverbend – Argyle Mall, with an anticipated extension of bus transit to the Subject Lands when required.
Furthermore, the proposal includes designated spaces for bicycles, although the number falls slightly below the required amount, with 234 proposed spaces against the mandated 250.
A key aspect of the proposal is the integration of thoughtful design elements aimed at harmonizing with the surrounding residential neighbourhoods.
Setbacks and stepbacks have been meticulously planned for the towers, limiting building heights to ensure ample sky views and mitigate visual impact on adjacent properties.
Several amendments to the existing zoning regulations are being sought to realize the vision for this project. These include adjustments to the current zoning, minimum yard depths, building heights, and permitted land uses.
The Subject Lands are presently zoned as Community Shopping Area (CSA5(6)), as per the City of London Zoning By-Law, while a proposed amendment seeks to rezone the site to CSA5(**) with special provisions.
In addition, the proposal entails requested special provisions because they do not comply with the existing regulations.
For instance, the required long-term bicycle parking spaces stand at 201, whereas the proposed provision requests 98 spaces.
Similarly, the interior side yard depth minimum is proposed at 2.0 metres, contrasting with the required 4.5 metres.
Additionally, while the existing zoning permits a maximum height of 15.0 metres, the proposal seeks to increase this limit to 40.0 metres to accommodate the proposed towers.
The development’s strategic location within the South Riverbend Neighborhood, coupled with its comprehensive approach to mixed-use development, reflects a commitment to fostering vibrant and sustainable communities.
This initiative aligns with the overarching vision to establish WestRock as a complete community, offering a seamless integration of residential, commercial, and office spaces.
Comment Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in the comments section of this blog are solely those of the individuals who submit them and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the author or the website owner. We do not endorse or support any comments that may be offensive, discriminatory, or harmful in nature.
We encourage open and respectful discussions and welcome diverse perspectives. However, it is important to remember that comments are the personal opinions of the commenters and not official representations of our stance or values. We reserve the right to moderate or remove comments that violate our comment policy or that we deem inappropriate.
Please engage in discussions with courtesy and respect for one another, keeping in mind that differing opinions can coexist in a constructive manner. Thank you for being a part of our community and for helping to maintain a positive and inclusive environment.
