A proposed 38-storey, 422-unit tower at 415 York Street — right in Ward 13's downtown core — was denied by council in January 2026 pending a safety study on its proximity to the London District Energy plant, a gas-burning facility 58 metres away. In June 2026, city staff again recommended denial because that study still wasn't complete. The Planning and Environment Committee voted unanimously to defer anyway, giving the applicant more time. When the applicant's representative told the committee a consultant had been retained to do the study, London District Energy's own lawyer told councillors on the record that this was "the first I have heard" of any consultant, and that there had been "no consultation at all by the proponent" despite repeated requests.
My Plan · Where I Stand
How Many Extensions Does One Proposal Get?
If a required safety study is still missing, another extension should not be automatic.
The answer
Here’s the issue. Here’s my answer. Here’s what I’d do.
A life-safety study is not paperwork. If the required safety work is still incomplete after repeated deferrals, Council needs a clear reason before giving the file more time.
I would push for much tighter limits on repeated deferrals where a required life-safety study is still missing. Downtown development matters, but the safety basics have to be complete before Council asks future residents to accept the risk.
Your say
Do you agree, partly agree, or disagree?
Check the work
Check the sources and status
Where to go next.
BISSON13 · Ward 13
If this is the kind of work you want to see at City Hall, here is how to help.