Council cuts vacancy tax rebate, supports school safety zones, OKs flex street
Everything you need to know about Tuesday's council meeting
Vacancy tax rebate cut
City Council is set to phase out a vacancy tax rebate for property owners with vacant buildings.
The city will decrease the current 30 per cent rebate to 15 per cent by 2018 and then eliminate it by 2019.
Cancelling the rebate will save the city about $900,000 in the first year.
City staff will report back on ways to invest the accumulated savings.
Support for school safety
City councillors will continue to have a seat at the provincial table, discussing ways to make school zones safer.
Council approved a decision to participate in the province's Traffic Council's Automated Speed Enforcement working group to develop proposals.
A big part of the discussion focused on current 40 km speed limit in school zones, an automated speed enforcement tool to control speeding and the red light camera system.
Flex street debate
Debate flared Tuesday over the management of Dundas Place – London's first 'flex street'.
Councillors argued over the management reporting structure and who should have oversight over that position – the city or Downtown London's MainStreet board?
An amended motion for the position of business manager to be directed by the city was defeated. The original motion proposed giving oversight to the MainStreet board.
Councillors approved the original report on the flex street, which would stretch from Ridout Street to Wellington Road.
Abattoir: a provincial matter
The city will not reconsider its support for a proposed abattoir, despite an appeal of its recent decision to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
Councillors initially approved a rezoning proposal that would allow a livestock facility and an abattoir to be built at 8076 Longwoods Road.
However, the city was met with pushback and an appeal to the municipal oversight agency in May,
On Tuesday, the city saw no reason to change its decision, which remains in the hands of the OMB.