The University of Western Ontario is working with city partners on a strategy to improve town and gown relations.
The Great Near-Campus Neighbourhoods Strategy was developed by the City of London’s planning committee to mitigate housing issues around Western and Fanshawe College. The major policy initiative began in 2007 and following extensive consultation and research, a report highlighting a strategic direction and plan for implementation has been developed.
The most recent version contains about 10 initiatives with implications for residents and students living in the area around Western.
“It was sparked because some neighbours in the area put pressure on the city to deal with trying to develop some strategies to deal with some of the concerns in the community,” says Glenn Matthews, Western’s Housing Mediation Officer, noting most of the concerns related to areas around the university.
Behaviour issues and inappropriate and unsustainable forms of intensification are two root problems London city planners are grappling with near Western and Fanshawe. Matthews says the city and Western have been working on a co-ordinated plan for dealing with by-law enforcement.
The Great Near-Campus Neighbourhoods Strategy report was issued to develop a plan of action for addressing these issues.
The goals include:
welcoming students as a vital part of the community
creating neighbourhoods that have a balance
providing safe and affordable housing
offering a higher level of public service to the community
co-ordinating city developmen
t investing in infrastructure protecting residential amenity
aligning expectations levelling the playing field for landlords
The city is seeking feedback on the recommendations.
“In some ways the plan really is at a blueprint stage. They are holding some public meetings now for where they go from here,” says Matthews.
Although Western is supportive, Matthews says the university takes issue with some of the language, including characterizing some areas around campus as “ghettos.” With many recommendations focusing on areas in north London, Matthews also suggests many of the strategies can apply to the entire city.
The City of London held an open house at King’s University College last Thursday (Nov. 19) to allow the community to voice opinions. A similar open house was held at Fanshawe College and a presentation was made to the University Students’ Council.
The next step will be to ensure all of the partners are co-operating with the report. The city is looking at implementing some planning changes that coincide with the report, such as identifying areas for high-density housing.
The strategy outlines what has been done by the City of London and community, Western and Fanshawe and suggests plans for implementation over the next six months to three years.
For Western, the strategy proposes the university’s administration “seek opportunities for more student housing and possible partnerships for their development” within the next year.
However, building residences is not on Western’s to-do list.
Western has spent already $100 million on four student residences over the last 10 years. Although there are no current plans for new residences, the university has investigated other housing opportunities, such as co-op housing or joint projects with developers.
“It would have to be something pretty creative to move forward on because of our debt load, but it doesn’t mean they (Western) aren’t open to ideas that might come up,” he says.
Other suggestions included exploring a “walk to work” program; continuing to explore methods for conveying information on rights and responsibilities to students; developing a model lease for landlords and preparing an accredited housing list.
The University Students’ Council is being asked to explore neighbourhood and housing co-ops and to engage students in discussions and building solutions.
Michael Tomazincic, planner for the City of London, says the multi-faceted strategy is being implemented by several parties at the same time, including Western, Fanshawe, London’s city hall, police and fire departments.
It is unknown when a recommendation on the report will be made to city council. The city continues to solicit opinions from the public on the proposed amendments to the city’s Official Plan, Zoning By-law and Site Plan Control By-law.
“The collective vision for Near Campus Neighbourhoods is something that all parties have a vested interest in achieving,” says Tomazincic.
He adds the strategy is not “anti-student,” but rather the goal is to make students feel welcomed. London stands to benefit from retaining former students and the initiative is intended to create a better living experience for everyone, he explains.
“Achieving this vision will make these neighbourhoods safer, aesthetically pleasing, provide for more housing alternatives, and balance the mix between long-term and short-term residents, among other things,” he says.
“These issues have been the source of contention between the area residents for many years and achieving the vision will help to alleviate some of the common concerns.”
Recommendations, timelines
The Great Near-Campus Neighbourhoods Strategy includes recommendations for Western’s administration and University Students’ Council to implement over the next year.
Within six months
Administration should:
· Continue to develop new methods for engaging students
· Continue to explore methods for conveying information on rights and responsibilities to students
· Continue to research and better understand student demand for housing
· Conduct a housing fair on campus each year
· Develop a model lease for landlords
· Deliver landlord training sessions
Within one year
Administration should:
· Seek opportunities for more student housing and possible partnerships for their development
· Explore opportunity for “blurring the lines” between campus and community amenities (work with City of London Planning Division)
· Explore “Walk to Work” program
· Prepare accredited housing list. This initiative may not be required if a Rental Housing Licensing By-law is established
University Students’ Council should:
· Explore neighbourhood co-op
· Explore housing co-op
· Engage students in the dialogue and solution building