Economy Thread

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Council refuses to consider development on former Sun Life site
By JONATHAN SHER, LONDON FREE PRESS

London city council refused Monday night to consider development for a parcel of land outside its urban-growth boundary that's become a key dividing line between two factions of politicians.

A slim majority of council members agreed to take off the table for now any consideration of development of 47 hectares south of Wilton Grove Rd. and southeast of Highbury Ave.

The site had once been the target of Sun Life, which bought an option on it, then asked that city hall add it to the land that can be developed, a move that would have added as much as $8 million in value to the land.

When the global recession struck last year, Sun Life gave up its option and plans to build an industrial park that would have begun with warehouses.

The exit of Sun Life prompted city staff to recommend that council not give further consideration of allowing development there.

Board of Control disagreed, last week recommending city hall wait, but they were out-voted by council as a whole.

Coun. Roger Caranci led the failed effort yesterday to keep as an option the development of the land, arguing it was key to boosting economic opportunity along Hwy 401.

But his efforts to garner support failed both with colleagues and staff, Chief administrator Jeff Fielding noting council has made a priority 401 development near Veterans Memorial Parkway and Wonderland Road — not Highbury.

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Jonathan Sher is a Free Press city hall reporter.