Neglected Manor

London Manor was the home of Robert J. Tyrrell (b. 1936, d. August 21, 2008) and his wife Mary Isabelle Wardrop (b. March 31, 1940).

The home featured a large swimming pool, two fire places and 5 bedrooms. The Tyrrell's raised three children in the home: Julie, Michael and Kathryn (Katie).

After Mr. Tyrrell passed away in 2008 his wife chose to sell the property.

The property that the Tyrrell's house was located on was designated as Multi-Famlly, Medium Density Residential. York Developments wanted to purchase the land and construct a Shoppers Drug Mart with second-floor office buildings. This construction would require a re-zoning of the property from Residential to Commercial Shopping Area. Without this re-zoning, the property would remain designated for residential purposes.

On January 16, 2009 London City Planning Staff approved the re-zoning but then on February 2, 2009 London City Council refused to make the necessary amendments and did not give their reasons for doing so.

Mary Tyrell and Sofco Properties appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. They presented four witnesses that argued the proposal was appropriate from an urban design perspective, future traffic in the area would not be adversely effected and that the land would not negatively affect existing Commercially zoned properties. The City of London was unwilling to undo the last 10 years they'd spent trying to satisfy the community.

Local residents expressed concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety issues. Of concern to many was the possibility of motorists potentially "cutting through" the property to avoid waiting at a red light.

One resident Tracy Q. wrote, "Mary and Bob Tyrell did not really ever make an investment in taking care of their house or property. Their grass is left uncut, their fencing is falling down, they have piles of junk sitting in plain view, etc."

On October 26, 2009 the appeal to the OMB was dismissed and the City of London's decision was upheld. (I contacted some of these neighbours for their input but none of them responded)

In 2011 Ali Soufan of York Developments again tried to have the zoning designation changed. York Developments wanted to change the maximum density of 75 units per hectare to 300 units per hectare. London City staff felt that the property was too small for a development of that size. Environmental assessments would need to be completed and road improvements would need to be made. London City staff recommended the project not be approved.

Katherine Munn representing the community residents requested that the application be rejected. Other residents expressed concerns about the need for a four-land highway before the building a 15-storey apartment building.

To demonstrate the traffic problems, one resident showed a video that he had taken of his wife trying to back out of the driveway on to Sunningdale. It took a long time to find an opening in traffic and it wasn?t even rush hour!

In November of 2011 York Developments applied to the City of London for approval to build a 113 unit apartment building, significantly smaller than previously discussed.

In February of 2012, York Developments received tentative approval for the construction of new housing. The building would consist of levels of 12 storeys, 10 storeys and three storeys, the latter in the form of attached townhouses facing Sunningdale.

The Tyrrell home was demolished in July of 2012.