Improvements to Hyde Park Road South of Ilderton
At the meeting, Council approved improvements to Hyde Park Road, south of Ilderton Road, entering into the community. While this is a county road, the municipality has received many concerns about:
- the safety of the pedestrian crosswalk at Heritage Drive; and
- speeding along Hyde Park Road from Meadowcreek Drive to Heritage Drive.
Staff, working with Middlesex County, will undertake streetscaping measures. These measures will contribute to the beautification of the streetscape as well as provide a visual cue to drivers that they are entering a location that has active pedestrian traffic and requires corresponding lower operating speed. These improvements will also serve to visually narrow the road making the roadway feel “tighter” which typically equates to slower operating speeds.
The proposed improvements include:
- Relocating signs
- Improved landscaping
- Low plantings
- Tree plantings
- Installation of benches and garbage receptacles
- Coordination with Middlesex County to move the beginning of the 70km/h zone on Hyde Park Road to south of Meadowcreek Drive.
Changes to Parking and Traffic Rules
Council also approved amendments to the Parking and Traffic By-law to address a number of concerns. The changes will:
- Resolve duplication and in some places conflict in roads with load limits.
- Accommodate a new transit stop in Arva. This stop is related to Middlesex County Connect’s new bus route serving Ilderton and Arva. The new route provides a peak-hour weekday transit connection between London, Lucan, Ilderton, and Arva. This adds to the transit route offered by the Inter-Community Transit Service that provides stops in Komoka.
- Institute no-parking zones along Oxbow Drive between Valleyview Drive and Union Avenue in Komoka, and on Robert Street south of Ilderton Road in Ilderton.
- Install new stop signs at Bridge Street at Pleasant Street in Delaware, Sir James Court at Sir Robert Place in Arva, and Croydon Place at Croydon Drive in Arva.
In Brief
During the meeting, Council also:
- Approved Community Improvement Plan (CIP) funding totaling $14,187 for three local businesses. The grants are supporting improvements to façades and signage and energy efficiency, with a total project value of $28,374. Approved 2023 CIP grants:
- McLachlan Pancakes for energy efficiency and retrofits (total estimated project cost of $13,769; municipal contribution of $6,885)
- Sakata Sushi for façade and signage improvements (total estimated project cost of $7,065; municipal contribution of $3,533)
- Komoka Mortgage for façade and signage improvements (total estimated project cost of $7,540; municipal contribution of $3,770)
- Received the budget to actual report for April 2023, and the capital budget to actual report for the first quarter of 2023.
- Received an update on the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) attendance area review.
- Approved the renewal of the Fire Prevention Service Agreement between Middlesex Centre and Thames Centre for a three-year period. This agreement sees Middlesex Centre provide fire prevention services to Thames Centre on a cost recovery basis and creates efficiencies for both municipalities.
Planning Matters
Sitting as the Committee of Adjustment and then in public meeting, Council approved a number of minor variance applications and other planning applications.
Notably, Council approved an application for an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment for a property at 708 and 714 Gideon Drive near Delaware. Approved changes will see the land’s zoning go from Parks and Recreation to a site-specific Parks and Recreation PR-10. The proposed development on the site includes a privately operated indoor-outdoor recreation centre with a medical clinic, offices, and restaurant. A number of planning reports related to this development are available as part of the meeting agenda.
Next Council Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Middlesex Centre Council Meeting is set for Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 9:30am. Meeting times are subject to change, so please confirm with the meeting agenda when posted.
For More Information
For more details on any of these items, see the full meeting agenda or contact the Municipal Clerk. You can view the meeting on YouTube.
Meeting highlights are prepared to give residents timely updates on council decisions. The Council Meeting Minutes are the official record of the meeting.