An eight-storey seniors’ centre that drew political resistance and raised questions about the exact goals of the London Plan was approved by city council Monday.

Politicians voted 11-3 to OK the project at Wellington and Base Line roads, ending a clash between those who consider it too tall for the neighbourhood and those who see it as a perfect infill proposal.

“This is a good proposal and a good space in terms of transit, health care, shopping, aging in place,” Coun. Virginia Ridley said. “It will serve the community well.”

Not everyone agreed. Coun. Maureen Cassidy, Stephen Turner and Anna Hopkins opposed it at eight storeys, believing it’s too tall for the area. They wanted the proposal sent back to staff to potentially see it reduced.

Tanya Park was absent Monday. All others supported approval.

The project is being bankrolled by the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

Officials with their London-based local have bashed politicians for their opposition, saying it contradicts their own commitment to intensification in the London Plan, city hall’s blueprint for growth, and the bus rapid transit system that will run nearby.

Mayor Matt Brown argued not approving the project could “signal to our community that we’re not sure about (our) commitment to building inward and upward.”

Turner, however, said the opposite is true. He argued the London Plan does not allow more than four storeys on this site. City staff recommended allowing eight storeys.

“(This) is an important test of whether we live the plan we collectively wrote, collectively passed,” Turner said. “Are we going to continually grant these exceptions over and over again? In which case, is the London Plan worth the paper it’s written on?”

The proposed seniors’ centre would offer retirement and nursing care. It also would have 12 townhouses. Seven homes will be razed to make way for it, between 633 and 655 Base Line Rd.

pmaloney@postmedia.com