Land deal for new school in northwest London barely clears first political hurdle
CTV
An innovative land deal intended to bring a new school to northwest London years sooner than scheduled became the latest flashpoint for city council.
An innovative land deal intended to bring a new school to northwest London years sooner than scheduled became the latest flashpoint for city council.
Built in 2017 for 500 students, Sir Arthur Currie Public School currently has an enrollment of almost 1,000 pupils — half relegated to 22 portables.
Auburn Developments has offered to sell a property on the south side of Sunningdale Road to the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) if city hall permits the townhouses intended for the site to instead be constructed on a lot north of Sunningdale.
The TVDSB believes that could accelerate construction of a new school in northwest London by years.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, however, several councillors argued the proposal guts the London Plan’s underlying principal of reducing urban sprawl.
“The faster option, in my view, the school board should initiate a zoning amendment on the lands they want, and they should expropriate those lands,” argued Councillor Jesse Helmer.
“They’re choosing not to because perhaps (expropriation may take) some time, and because of cost,” added Councillor Stephen Turner. “We don’t change our policies to save other people and agencies money.”
