Published below are some of the letters sent from the Bishop Hellmuth and other communities as well as the association to the City of London regarding the proposed Rexall drugstore at the northeast corner of Waterloo and Oxford Streets. If you or someone you know has sent a letter that is not published here we would be grateful if you could email it using our contact page.
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Letter
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Councillors,
After attending the last public meeting with city council regarding the new drug store at the corner of Waterloo and Oxford in the Heritage District of Bishop Hellmuth, it was with sadness to realize the council is happy with anything put there to fill a vacant lot in London. My feeling was also dismay as I sat and realized it seemed to already be a done deal before the meeting even started. Mr. Farhi texted through out the bulk of the meeting and seemed to look bored. If he could have addressed and even recognized the community in the gallery, even with a nod, it would have been the right thing to do.
It is no wonder beautiful historic buildings in London are being flattened at an alarming rate with little or no apathy. This is not the appropriate attitude for a city like London, with its well known history.
That new building in the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District,will forever be known as the backwards building with its broad back turned against an historic area with no respect given. No welcoming front door, what a great idea. Once again city council has dropped the ball, what a major disappointment. I hope Rexall realizes they have lost a great deal of it’s customer base in this neighbourhood. Myself and most of my neighbours will never shop there or darken its doors.
Well done.
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Letter
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Councillors,
I would like to express my disagreement with the decision of the P&E Committee on Tuesday, February 18th in regard to the Rexall development at Waterloo and Oxford Streets.
I feel it is crucial for the area as an urban community and a Heritage District to have the entrance located at the corner of Waterloo and Oxford St. Both Gammage and Shell have their entrances facing the corner, and Wilton’s pharmacy’s door is centred facing Oxford.
The design of this new pharmacy in the neighbourhood can make a difference – walkability makes the place where we live and work more sustainable and livable. When thinking about neighbourhood environments, we should be placing people at the heart of the sustainability and regeneration agendas. This latest decision in the design does not meet the needs of all users. No one size fits all – this new building in the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District should make our streets feel like a shared experience. It should not have its back turned against our historic area.
I still think the City should be taking into consideration, an entrance at the Southwest corner facing the intersection of Waterloo St and Oxford St to service those travelling by foot or transit, with a secondary entrance located at the Southeast corner of the building servicing those coming in from the parking lot.
Walkability is important in sustainable urban design but is also essential in a successful, sustainable urban heritage neighbourhood community. At a time when cities are calling for residents to live in the core, walkability is increasingly important!
We are the taxpayers who pay you to make the right decisions – only you can make the right choice. Please respect and protect our neighbourhood for now and for the future.
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Letter
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Councillors,
I understand a letter has been sent to you by the community and I want to emphasis that I agree with it and wish for the city to take this matter seriously this item is discussed on the agenda.
As much as I look forward to having a building replacing the eye sore of the empty lot I would be prepared to wait to ensure we got one that was visually appealing, conducive to walking and considerate of its surroundings.
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Letter
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Councillors,
Although The Planning and Environment Committee, on the recommendation of the Planning Dept., voted in favour of the Rexall development at the corner of Waterloo and Oxford Streets, it was evident throughout the development process and the meeting on February 18, 2014 that the Planning Department and the coucilors have no vision for development along Oxford Street from Richmond to Adelaide Streets. The last few years have seen the building of student housing and new businesses (ie the Salt Therapy Clinic and Shoppers Drugmart) in a topsy turvy manner….no architectural or design consistency or thought of what this area should look like now or in the future.
The proposal for 350 Oxford Street is another example of the lack of forethought and vision for this arterial road. The design of the building without door access at the corner of Waterloo and Oxford street certainly goes against the ReThink London perspective of community services being easily accessible by foot. The Rexall signage on three sides of the building shows no consideration for the heritage of the area……it is far too bold and obtrusive. Architecturally the proposed building is more suitable to a strip mall even with the changes the developer has incorporated in the structure.
I strongly urge you and the Councilors to reject this development until the Planning Dept. can provide residents in the borad area with a long term vision of this historic part of the city.
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Letter
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Councilors,
This is to voice my objection to the decision of the P&E Committee on February 18th regarding the development of the corner of Waterloo and Oxford Streets. Although Rexall and their agent, Zelinko Priamo, have made some concessions to neighbourhood concerns regarding their original design, their original design was a cookie-cutter reproduction of a suburban strip-mall design that had no business being proposed to a historic preservation district. If they had initially presented a plan that had the ambiance and architecture of the surrounding neighbourhood in mind, the degree of adjustments that they have made would surely have met both neighbourhood and their own corporate concerns. However, they were so off the mark with their initial proposal, that the minor modifications that they have made are insufficient to surmount the total lack of neighbourhood appropriateness. The lack of a entrance/exit at the main corner of Waterloo and Oxford is inexcusable, the overwhelming signage and overage strip-mall appearance make it an eyesore at the entrance to an important, historic neighbourhood in London.
Right now the empty lot screams of opportunity. Please don’t make it scream of regret!!
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Letter
My family and I live on Waterloo Street and we are writing to you to express our continued concerns about the proposed plaza in the Bishop Helmuth Heritage District (350 Oxford St). As you are aware, the ‘flagship store’ the community was promised will be at the entrance to the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District.
We were confused and discouraged that the latest site plan drawing of the proposed Rexall drugstore is not the same plan as was presented by Zelinka Priamo at the Open House on January 13th, 2014. We were pleased with the proposed height element in the drawings that were being presented at the Open House but felt the faux peak could be followed through to more than just the one corner at Oxford and Waterloo.
We are extremely disappointed to see that the changes made by Zelinka Priamo have yet to address the main concerns that were presented at the meeting which were voiced by the Bishop Hellmuth Community and by local residents. We are not against development but we are exhausted from continually watching commercial property be given priority to London’s heritage sites. The residents have worked tirelessly to maintain and preserve this designated heritage area.
We have three issues that we have repeatedly requested to be taken into consideration:
1) Consider an entrance at the southwest corner facing the intersection of Waterloo St and Oxford St to service those travelling by foot or transit, with a secondary entrance located at the southeast corner of the building servicing those coming in from the parking lot. Walkability is important in sustainable urban design but is also essential in a successful, sustainable urban heritage neighbourhood community. At a time when cities are calling for residents to live in the core, walkability is increasingly important!
2) Ensure that the sign band is integrated into the building and below the height of the parapet; the size of the sign be significantly reduced on Waterloo Street. The sign is excessive and unsuitable for a heritage district. On a personal level, we are most impacted by the signage as our sleeping quarters face the direction of the proposed Rexall backlit logo.
3) We are deeply concerned by the increase in traffic on Waterloo Street and the many children we know who attended the Montessori House of Children, St. George’s Public School and Lord Roberts FI Public School, who all walk north and south daily on Waterloo St. to attend and return from school. With the faux windows and lack of any doors on Waterloo Street would it not be safer for Rexall staff and their shoppers to be able to see what was going on outside the store in the event of any accidents or incidents? We thought it was promising, at the Open House, to hear that there was a consideration for stop signs, speed bumps and landscaping with clear visibility.
We still hope the City of London sees this opportunity to demand more and maintain the look of the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District for both our current community and future generations. It would be shameful and disrespectful of why Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District was created in the first place.
We have written several letter now and we are doing so because we are passionate about our neighbourhood and the Heritage Conservation District that we live in. These plans set the tone for Heritage Conservation Districts in London and for any future developments in our districts.
Please respect and protect our neighbourhood. We thank you for your consideration and look forward hearing back from you.
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Letter
I have many concerns regarding the building of the new Rexall at Oxford and Waterloo St.’s in London.
No apparent changes were presented at the Open House I attended on January 13th. It did not address the issues of concern with the neighbourhood. We asked the same questions and got the same nonsense answers.
The current application still does not place a doorway/entrance at the corner of Waterloo and Oxford Streets, the signage – 6 feet high – is too large and obtrusive, the roofline and overall appearance continues to resemble that of a strip mall and is not suitable for a heritage district.
This corner is not only the gateway to our neighbourhood, but the development that is ultimately built will set a precedent for other developments within and surrounding our neighbourhood, and Heritage Conservations Districts.
The buildings at the northwest corner of Hellmuth and Oxford are currently owned by one corporation, and the majority of units are now empty. There may well soon be a proposal for development on that corner. We need to protect and ensure that the standards and historic integrity of our neighbourhood are maintained at all the entrances.
Please do not permit a retail building to be built facing backwards. It should show respect of the neighbor that has stood for over 100 years and is still viable and going strong. We want Rexall to welcome all with open arms and have a beautiful front facing entrance of some kind.
Not some strip mall knockoff with a huge cumbersome sign that enhances nothing and puts an entrance facing a rental building on the side and back.Mr. Farhi has stated on our local TV news that he “wishes to preserve our history and enhance and preserve any historic buildings he purchases in London”, so why not agree to have a beautiful building constructed that shows these hopes of his, and the rest of the citizens of the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District of London?
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Letter
I regret that I shall be unable to attend the Planning and Environment Committee meeting on 18 February. I therefore take this opportunity to record the modifications that are essential to the proposed pharmacy at the north east corner of Oxford and Waterloo Streets. As a major entrance to the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District, it is very important that the building fit into a neighbourhood of distinction rather than being one that might be built in a new housing development or a shopping plaza. The decision on this building will be a precedent for this and other similar neighbourhoods in the city. Before the plan is approved I urge the committee to insist on the following changes:
- The doorway should be at the corner of Waterloo and Oxford, which is not only most convenient for pedestrians from three of four directions but also makes the building a part of the neighbhourhood to the north rather than turning its back upon it, as would be the case with the entrance at the east end of the building.
- The proposed sinage is far too high (6 feet) and totally out of keeping with an old neighbourhood and should be significantly reduced.
- The roofline should also be altered to be more appropriate for a heritage neighbourhood.
With these modifications the building will suit the Bishop Hellmuth District far more than the proposal in its present form.
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Letter
I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed plaza at 350 Oxford St. at the corner of Waterloo. I have two issues that should be taken into consideration.
Issue #1, Heritage Districts and future job growth.
I agree 100% with the concerns expressed by the Bishop Helmuth Community Association. The proposed plan does not present a site that fits with a Heritage District. Heritage Districts are rare and should be preserved. They are a precious feature of our community and once they are gone, they are gone.
While development is a source on money and jobs in the short term, in my mind, making London an attractive place for residents is a better source of long term jobs and growth. The greater path to growth is through internally created business. Having beautiful neighborhoods close to the core is what draws talented entrepreneurs to our city and keeps the best minds from Fanshawe and Western here after they graduate – it was a major factor in my decision to stay and raise a family with my wife after graduating from Western.
Great business minds with brilliant ideas that will spark the next major job source will be successful anywhere they want to live – let’s make London the place they want to be by preserving our beautiful homes and neighborhoods.
Issue #2, School Safety
My second concern is more personal. I live on Piccadilly St. and my son walks to and from St. George’s PS every day. He walks with several friends and there are crossing guards at Colbourne and Oxford. I am glad he walks and I currently feel that he is very safe doing so. I am very worried that with the presence of a plaza at this corner there will be an increase in traffic on Waterloo St. at the entrance that my son will be crossing every day.
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Letter
I am very surprised to see that the plans are quite different from the ones that were presented by Zelinka Priamo at the open house 2 weeks ago. I was even more surprised to see that the changes they have made still do not address the main concerns that were presented at the meeting and that have been voiced by the Bishop Hellmuth Community as a group and by local residents individually.
The signage is still too glaring and the background colour dominates the top third of the walls facing Oxford and Waterloo making it totally inappropriate for a heritage district. Historic pictures in the Waterloo Street face wall are not enough to overcome the strip-mall architecture. The placement of windows looking into an employee lunchroom at the corner of Oxford and Waterloo, instead of an entrance, is an insult to the neighbourhood. This building is at the entrance to a pedestrian friendly neighbourhood and as such it should have an entrance at the street corner.
I hope the Planning and Environment Committee will carefully review these plans and see that the appearance of the building is not compatible with the century homes that populate the neighbourhood and that by focusing on vehicular traffic and not pedestrians they have spurned the residents of the very neighbourhood they wish to service.
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Letter
It is clear to me that the approach that is being taken here is to design a building that belongs in a strip mall not in a historic conservation district . One simply has to look across the street to Gammage Flowers to see more appropriate design elements. The agreement of the three community associations that border this property is to have a neighbourhood friendly pharmacy with historic features that we all can walk to . Call it the wave of the future…
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Letter
My family and I live on Waterloo Street, near the proposed Rexall drugstore in the Bishop Hellmuth Community. This is a warm and welcoming neighbourhood, one of only four Heritage Districts in London. Our residents take great pride in their homes, and my family is proud to be living here in our house that has graced this street since 1894. The residents have worked tirelessly to maintain and preserve this designated heritage area.
We are not against development but we are exhausted from continually watching commercial property be given priority to London’s heritage sites which are left to dilapidate and then surrendered to developers. We see the southern edge of a RESIDENTIAL district, not the northern edge of a commercial district. We and our neighbours love this area and are not appreciative that the developer is threatening the essence of our community and trying to push the guidelines of the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District.
We would like to express our disappointment having seen the latest site plan drawings of the proposed Rexall drugstore at the northeast corner of Waterloo and Oxford Streets. As you are aware, the ‘flagship store’ the community was promised will be at the entrance to the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District. It should reflect a design which is sensitive to its surroundings rather than the proposed development which is standard box design lacking any architectural interest or details unlike any ‘flagship’ building I have ever seen.
In a letter by the Bishop Hellmuth Community Association (cc:d to the community) they proposed by letter to the planning committee in July that the following items be addressed:
- Consider and entrance at the southwest corner facing the intersection of Waterloo Street and Oxford Street to service those travelling by foot or transit, with a secondary entrance located at the southeast corner of the building servicing those coming in from the parking lot;
- Create a height element at the southwest corner of the building (at the intersection) to announce the entrance as well as address the intersection;
- Create a corner plaza at the intersection of Oxford and Waterloo Streets between the building entrance and the intersection of the public sidewalks including enhanced landscaping in order to create a welcoming forecourt that engages the intersection;
- Ensure that the majority of windows located along the Oxford and Waterloo Street corridors are transparent glass to activate the street frontages;
- Ensure that the sign band is integrated into the building and below the height of the parapet in order to allow for the southwest corner parapet (at the intersection and entrance into the building) to act as the height element for the building;
- Ensure that the materials used on all facades and the level architectural detailing are in keeping with the heritage district. In accordance with the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District Plan material should include brick and masonry and architectural details to include brick soldier courses and corbelling;
- Provide enhanced landscaping to screen all exposed parking lots from Oxford and Waterloo Streets in order to create a positive edge condition and enhance the pedestrian experience. This may be achieved using a landscape wall and landscaping that includes, but not limited to shrubs, tall grasses and trees and
- Consideration be given to the rooflines so that they are in keeping with the heritage district.
It appears that very few of these points above have been taking into consideration on the new plans.
Good design could allow for an entrance at the southwest corner facing the intersection of Waterloo Street and Oxford Street to service those travelling by foot or transit, with a secondary entrance located at the southeast corner of the building servicing those coming in from the parking lot. At a time when cities are calling for residents to live in the core to stop urban sprawl, walkability will become increasingly important! Already our neighbourhood has been rated by Walk Score as 70-89 Very Walkable – Most errands can be accomplished by foot.
We chose to live in this area, the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District, because of the sense of community and to enjoy the streetscape, architecture and walkability. We have lived in our home for eight years, and we have one child who has attended the Montessori House of Children, St. George’s Public School, (both on Waterloo St) and now attends Lord Roberts FI Public School, which he now walks north and south daily on Waterloo Street to attend and return from school. We are deeply concerned by the faux windows and lack of any doors on Waterloo Street. As you know, this site is very close to several schools and it would be safer for Rexall staff and their shoppers to be able to see what was going on outside the store, especially in the event of any accidents or incidents. We feel strongly that commercial gain for more shelf space cannot be put ahead of child safety in the Heritage Conservation District.
We still hope the City of London sees this opportunity to demand more of Farhi Holdings Corporation and their developers to preserve and maintain the look of the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District for both our current community and future generations. It would be shameful and disrespectful of why Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District was created in the first place.
Another point worth mentioning is that the community has now been asked on several occasions to submit their comments by various letters to the City of London. They have also been asked to attend and have shown up at several council chambers meetings. This is a very time consuming process for people who are very busy. If there ever seems to be any lack of response or participation going forward, I would assure you that community has not lost any interest. It is hard for anyone to keep up this level of commitment when it seems like their is very little improvement to each new site plan. These plans set the tone for Heritage Conservation Districts in London and for any future developments in any other districts. To disregard these requests sends a clear message that there is no respect for building new construction in heritage district areas.
The Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District celebrates the diversity of historic architecture – Good design is timeless. We question whether this proposed design is sustainable? How will this building look in 50 years?
Please respect and protect our neighbourhood. We thank you for your consideration and look forward having a date for the next public meeting.
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Letter
We are writing regarding the re-zoning application OZ-8121. We would like to provide you with our input on the proposals for the above building as one of us may not be able to attend tomorrow’s Planning Committee meeting.
While we have no objections to the erection of a pharmacy on Waterloo Street/Oxford Street, we would like to make a couple of suggestions for your consideration.
1) As you are aware, the new building will be in the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District and it should reflect this with a design which sensitive to its surroundings rather than one, which has the corporate standard look. I noted in the City of London’s Heritage Conservation District Plan for Bishop Hellmuth (June 2001) 4.5 New Building guiding principles are as follows:
Contemporary Architecture
“Contemporary designed architecture is encouraged in the heritage district and constitutes tomorrow’s new heritage. An important principal is to insure that contemporary architecture blends in and compliments the historic context. It should not be conspicuous and stand out.”
Following the official guidelines can be achieved by retaining the overall pharmacy building design enhanced by a few heritage style features together with clever landscaping to reduce the impact of a modern day ‘Box Store’ on the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District community.
You will see that this has already been achieved somewhat by the Shell petrol station across the road from the proposed pharmacy site. The petrol station has as an easy-on-the-eye roof-line with pleasing feature pinnacles, a neat perimeter retaining wall and landscaping. All in all, the buildings add to the overall look and ambience of the heritage district, which is our home.
2) The traffic safety is also a concern. St. George’s Public School and Montessori House of Children are closely located to the proposed development and child safety is paramount.
We are hopeful that Farhi Holdings Corporation will want to preserve and maintain the look of the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District for both our current community and future generations.
We thank you for your consideration and look forward to seeing an update of the building proposals in due course.
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Letter
Dear members of the Planning Committee:
I am writing regarding the re-zoning application OZ-8121 that will receive public hearing on July 23.
I have discussed the development of 754/764 Waterloo and 354 Oxford St E with dozens of people in and around our community
Two very important concerns need to be addressed during development of this site.
1) School Safety
The proposed development borders on St. George’s Public School. Traffic safety issues as well as the potential impact of a methadone dispensary are serious concerns for many parents. The development of this site must be contingent on ensuring child safety and a barrier between the proposed parking lot and the schoolyard.
2) Heritage Conservation
754/764 Waterloo fall within the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District. Any new building must comply with guidelines in the district plan. The proposed building goes some of the way towards this through the use of brick, but is not fully compliant with respect to windows and roof structure.
Unfortunately the owner of this property does not have a good track record on Heritage Conservation. The previous Heritage designated (plaqued) house at 764 was neglected for years by the owner and then demolished with no attempt to salvage important architectural details. At the City meeting approving the demolition permit the owner promised to landscape the site and this has never happened.
Give the track record of this owner dismissing heritage concerns it is incumbent on the Planning Committee to enforce the City’s Heritage District Plan and ensure that any new development complies with its guidelines.
Thank you for your work for the City of London. Our community is eager to see an attractive, safe and vibrant business established on this currently vacant lot. However, it is critical that school safety and heritage conservation are enforced by the Planning Committee as they consider approving the re-zoning application.
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Letter
Dear all,
My family lives at Hellmuth Ave. As home owner living in the Bishop-Hellmuth area, I write to express my concerns regarding the proposed Rexall building to be built at Waterloo and Oxford; unfortunately, I cannot attend tonight’s meeting when this is to be discussed, as I am going out of town.
Specifically, I write to urge the planning committee to make the preservation of the neighborhood’s character and charm a top priority in planning for this new building. Bishop-Hellmuth is one of few areas in London that has retained much of its original historic interest and beauty. Although this structure will obviously be new construction, there are ways in which it can blend with the surrounding area rather than standing out as an eyesore. In particular, the plan to have all windows face away from the street is simply unacceptable.
Please show that you value what this beautiful neighborhood brings to the city of London in your deliberations.
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Letter
I would like to go on record as being very disappointed with the latest submission by Farhi Holdings Inc, and Rexall for the corner of Oxford and Waterloo Streets. Their proposal, a copy of which is attached, does not address any of the elements discussed at the meeting on July 23, 2013.
The elevations facing Oxford Street and Waterloo Street still look more like that of a suburban strip mall and not the gateway to an historic neighbourhood. Simply adding some pictures of historic features from other buildings does not make this architecture compatible with the neighbourhood. The flat roof line, reflective windows, overbearing signage and the lack of an entrance at the corner for foot traffic were issues that were addressed at the council meeting and were supposed to have been corrected with this proposal.
I appreciate the time and concern that you have given the development of this historically significant gateway and hope that you will once again send these designs back to the drawing board.
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Letter
I’m writing to add my voice to that of the many Londoners who are opposed to Re-zoning Application for the Rexall drugstore at the corner of Oxford and Waterloo Streets!
Like many other voters, I am tired of watching commercial property vacancy numbers rise while London’s heritage sites are surrendered to developers. The proposed building of a new space for the Rexall Pharmacy on the NE corner of Oxford and Waterloo will not only add yet another un-descript concrete monstrosity to our designated heritage area, which we the residents of have worked tirelessly to maintain, and preserve!
As well the addition of a new modern pharmacy will only contribute to the poor traffic patterns of Oxford and Waterloo Streets, and endanger not only vehicles, busses, and pedestrians, but the lives and well being of the school children at both St. George’s P.S. and the several Montessori buildings on the blocks in question … In addition a medical/dental building will contribute no new jobs to the area and offers negligible economic benefit.
The lot would be more wisely used as for City busses to pull into, helping keep the west bound lane of Oxford clear, with some trees / foliage and benches, more fittingly reflective of the style of our delicate heritage community.
This is your opportunity to demonstrate to Londoners that you respect the wishes of the communities you were elected to represent. Vote NO to this Re-Zoning Application.
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Letter
As a home owner living in the Bishop-Hellmuth area, I write to express my concerns regarding the proposed Rexall building to be built at Waterloo and Oxford; unfortunately, I cannot attend tonight’s meeting when this is to be discussed, as I am going out of town.
Specifically, I write to urge the planning committee to make the preservation of the neighborhood’s character and charm a top priority in planning for this new building. Bishop-Hellmuth is one of few areas in London that has retained much of its original historic interest and beauty. Although this structure will obviously be new construction, there are ways in which it can blend with the surrounding area rather than standing out as an eyesore. In particular, the plan to have all windows face away from the street is simply unacceptable.
Please show that you value what this beautiful neighborhood brings to the city of London in your deliberations.
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Letter
Copy of letter sent to Rexall from BHCA follows –
The Bishop Hellmuth Community Association looks forward to Rexall’s plan to occupy the corner of Waterloo and Oxford Streets in London Ontario. The site has been empty for some time and the prospect of the current Pharma Plus on Oxford Street expanding to a larger building across the street is greeted with some reservations. The concept plans put forth by the developer, Farhi Holdings and his agent, Zelinka Priamo Ltd have not met expectations of the community.
The intersection of Waterloo and Oxford Streets is a significant gateway into the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District, located in the Old North neighbourhood of London. The majority of the homes are century-old Victorian yellow brick that share distinctive architectural details. The unique quality of the homes, the strong family friendly atmosphere and the proximity to the downtown core are make this an extremely the desirable neighbourhood. The modern strip mall look of the proposed store is in stark contrast to the ambience of the historic area.
On October 23, 2013 a group of concerned residents from BHHCD, the St. George/Grosvenor Community Association and St. Georges Public School met to review the concept drawings and identify elements they felt were crucial to making the building a compatible component of the neighbourhood. All were in agreement that the recommendations of the Urban Design Peer Review Panel and Staff Report be followed.
-Rotate the building clockwise by 90 degrees to engage the intersection and create active street frontages along Waterloo and Oxford Streets such that the east elevation be situated on the south elevation (along Oxford Street) & the proposed south elevation be situated on the west elevation (along Waterloo Street) and incorporate the following design element:
Consider an entrance at the southwest corner facing the intersection of Waterloo Street and Oxford Street to service those travelling by foot or transit, with a secondary entrance located at the southeast corner of the building servicing those coming in from the parking lot;
Create a height element at the southwest corner of the building (at the intersection) to announce the entrance as well as address the intersection;
Create a corner plaza at the intersection of Oxford and Waterloo Streets between the building entrance and the intersection of the public sidewalks including enhanced landscaping in order to create a welcoming forecourt that engages the intersection;
Ensure that the majority of windows located along the Oxford and Waterloo Street corridors are transparent glass to activate the street frontages;
Ensure that the sign band is integrated into the building and below the height of the parapet in order to allow for the southwest corner parapet (at the intersection and entrance into the building) to act as the height element for the building;
Ensure that the materials used on all facades and the level architectural detailing are in keeping with the heritage district. In accordance with the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District Plan material should include brick and masonry and architectural details to include brick soldier courses and corbelling;
Provide enhanced landscaping to screen all exposed parking lots from Oxford and Waterloo Streets in order to create a positive edge condition and enhance the pedestrian experience. This may be achieved using a landscape wall and landscaping that includes, but not limited to shrubs, tall grasses and trees and
Consideration be given to the rooflines so that they are in keeping with the heritage district.
At the conclusion of our community meeting, the group felt that the most important elements required to make the building a welcome addition to the neighbourhood are;
A foot entrance at the Waterloo/Oxford corner
Incorporating a height element into the roofline
Creating a historically distinctive wall face towards Waterloo Street (perhaps a mural)
Less obtrusive signage with a historical element
Appropriate landscaping, including a bicycle rack and tree buffering to the north of the property
Night time lighting that does not spill past the lot line.
Your consideration to the elements listed above would be greatly appreciated. We look forward to a plan that harmonizes with the neighbourhood.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
On behalf of the Bishop Hellmuth Community Association
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Letter
Dear Planning Committee Members,
As I am unable to attend today’s meeting, I am writing to voice my support for the re-zoning proposal with the holding provision that the site plan be approved by the St. George’s Public School Council and the Bishop Hellmuth Community Association.
There are 2 schools in close proximity to the site and I am very concerned about potential safety issues related to an expanded business. The concerns and recommendations are outlined in a letter sent to the Planning Committee by the St. George’s Public School Council.
Further, as a resident in a Heritage District, I want to ensure that the architectural integrity of the neighbourhood be preserved.
In light of these concerns, I would support the re-zoning proposal only if community consultation is sought with respect to the site plan.
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Letter
Copy of letter sent to LACH Committee from BHCA follows –
Members of LACH Committee:
The Bishop Hellmuth Community Association would like you to be aware of Rexall Pharmacy’s plans to erect a new building at the corner of Waterloo and Oxford Streets. The prospect of the current Pharma Plus on Oxford Street expanding to a larger building across the street is greeted with some reservations. The concept plans put forth by the developer, Farhi Holdings and his agent, Zelinka Priamo Ltd. have not met the expectations of the community.
On October 23, 2013 a group of concerned residents from BHHCD, the St. George-Grosvenor Community Association and St. Georges Public School met to review the concept drawings and identify elements they felt were crucial to making the building a compatible component of the neighbourhood. All were in agreement that the recommendations of the Urban Design Peer Review Panel and Staff Report that were part of the re-Zoning Agreement passed by City Council on July 30, 2013 should be followed.
At the conclusion of our community meeting, the group felt that the most important elements required to make the building suitable to the neighbourhood were:
A foot entrance at the Waterloo/ Oxford Corner
Incorporating a height element into the roofline
Creating a historically distinctive wall face towards Waterloo Street (perhaps a mural)
Less obtrusive signage with a historical element
Appropriate landscaping, including a bicycle rack and tree buffering to the north of the property
Nightime lighting that does not spill past the lot line
We hope we can count on the support of LACH when the Site Plan is presented for your input as we want something that harmonizes with the neighbourhood.
Yours sincerely,
On behalf of the Bishop Hellmuth Community Association
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Letter
I am writing with my concerns about the proposed Rexall at Waterloo and Oxford St., here in the Bishop Hellmuth Area.
The BHCA has already made their disapproval with the proposal clear to Zelinka Priamo, Farhi Holdings, Rexall and the City of London. The BHCA feels that the plans are not suitable for the gateway to this historic area mainly due to the following -I also share these same views.
- The proposed corner of the building at Oxford and Waterloo Streets does not present an inviting entry into the neighbourhood. It does not allow for pedestrian traffic to enter the building from the corner but forces pedestrians to enter from the parking lot on the East side of the building.
- The Waterloo wall face and windows do not contain historic architectural features to make the building blend in and complement the surrounding neighbourhood.
- The signage is overwhelming and obtrusive and does not fit in with the area.
These concerns and those presented by LACH and Urban Design Peer Review Panel have not been rectified in the current proposal. In fact, the current proposal still looks like the corner of a suburban strip mall. Perhaps Priamo has never built a stand alone building in a heritage district before, and if so, why not make it a showpiece instead of an eyesore???
Michele from Priamo has not stated why? the building is facing the worn direction and why it cannot just be turned around. She also mentioned that for future use the front could have an entrance, so why not now? I have never seen a backwards building before and cannot figure out why they deem it appropriate. Shell faces the sidewalk of Waterloo, Gammage Flowers has a front entrance facing Oxford St., what is the sense of this Rexall building facing a rental home???
I am not happy with the plans for this Rexall and hope the proper changes can be made before it is too late and the district is stuck with an eyesore for many years to come.