Transcript
SOURCE TRANSCRIPT
This transcript is downloaded from the source you provided but we haven't reviewed it for accuracy. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record. You can also request an AI-transcription of the audio file with the button to the left.
These are YouTube's auto-generated captions, not a human transcript — expect occasional errors, especially with names and technical terms.
[6:01]
Good afternoon everyone. I'd now like to
[6:03]
call today's meeting of the committee of
[6:05]
adjustment to order.
[6:08]
We would like to acknowledge that we are
[6:10]
meeting on the traditional lands and
[6:12]
treaty territory of the sin oji way
[6:15]
nation which includes the chipoaz of
[6:18]
naywash unseated first nation and the
[6:21]
chipawaz of sin first nation. We also
[6:25]
recognize the matei whose ancestors
[6:28]
shared this land and these waters. We
[6:31]
extend our gratitude to all Anishnab and
[6:34]
Matei peoples and their descendants
[6:37]
past, present, and future who continue
[6:40]
to care for and inhabit these lands and
[6:44]
tend these waters.
[6:48]
The purpose of this meeting is to review
[6:50]
applications for minor variants as well
[6:53]
as consent to sever applications as they
[6:56]
apply to lands within the municipality
[6:59]
of Meford. Let me start by first
[7:02]
introducing the members of this
[7:03]
committee. On my far right is Mr. David
[7:07]
Cramp, Mr. Ed Ormsby, on my far left,
[7:11]
Mr. Peter Toville, and myself, Terry
[7:14]
Williams. I am the chair. I'd also like
[7:17]
to introduce the members of the
[7:18]
municipal planning staff in attendance
[7:21]
here today. Denise McCarl, manager of
[7:24]
planning services.
[7:26]
Michael Kelly, planner. Helena
[7:29]
Fascinado, planner, and Haley Amadi,
[7:32]
planning technician and secretary
[7:34]
treasurer for this committee.
[7:37]
We are legally required to make
[7:39]
decisions that conform to the provincial
[7:42]
planning act as well as the existing
[7:45]
county and local official plans. Based
[7:48]
on those documents as well as any
[7:51]
additional relevant correspondence, the
[7:54]
municipal planning staff have prepared
[7:56]
detailed reports and provide this
[7:59]
committee with their recommendations.
[8:02]
The committee is encouraging everyone to
[8:05]
share their thoughts about proposed
[8:07]
applications. For those joining us
[8:10]
remotely via Zoom, as well as those that
[8:13]
are here in person today, you will have
[8:15]
the opportunity to speak should you wish
[8:17]
to do so. I will call upon you at the
[8:20]
appropriate time.
[8:22]
It is also appropriate to ask questions
[8:24]
that you may have as it relates to these
[8:27]
applications because your constructive
[8:30]
criticisms and comments to this
[8:32]
committee will help us to make informed
[8:35]
decisions.
[8:37]
The applicant or their representatives
[8:39]
will also have the opportunity to
[8:42]
respond to any of the questions that are
[8:44]
raised either by the committee or by the
[8:47]
public.
[8:48]
Anyone wishing to receive notice of the
[8:51]
decisions of today's applications may do
[8:54]
so by calling 519-5381060
[9:00]
extension 1120 or through an email
[9:03]
request to planning meford.ca.
[9:08]
Before we begin today's public meeting,
[9:10]
I must ask if any of the members of this
[9:12]
committee have any direct personal or
[9:14]
pecuniary interests or anything of a
[9:17]
general nature thereof as it relates to
[9:20]
today's files.
[9:22]
Seeing none,
[9:25]
have the members of the committee had an
[9:26]
opportunity to review the minutes of our
[9:28]
last meeting?
[9:30]
>> Yes.
[9:31]
>> Are there any necessary changes?
[9:36]
May I have a motion to approve the
[9:37]
meeting minutes of the last meeting?
[9:40]
David and Peter. All in favor?
[9:44]
That motion is carried.
[9:48]
We will now proceed with the public
[9:50]
section. Um this is a meeting of the
[9:53]
committee of adjustment to consider uh
[9:56]
an application for consent as under
[10:00]
section 45 of the planning act as it
[10:03]
relates to part law 27 concession 7
[10:08]
uh in meford formally part of St.
[10:12]
Vincent.
[10:13]
The requirement to hold this meeting is
[10:15]
that there must have been at least 14
[10:18]
days notice as prescribed by the
[10:20]
planning act. Haley, can you please
[10:22]
confirm to me the date of the notice was
[10:25]
published and calculate that we've had
[10:27]
at least 14 days notice.
[10:30]
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, the notice was
[10:32]
provided on August 7th, 2025, giving
[10:36]
more than the required 14 days notice.
[10:39]
>> Thank you.
[10:41]
Has each member of the committee visited
[10:43]
the subject land or had an opportunity
[10:45]
to review the file?
[10:47]
>> Yes.
[10:49]
>> Um then I would ask the uh planner on
[10:54]
this file, Michael, if you'd please uh
[10:56]
summarize the application and provide us
[10:58]
with any comments or comments that have
[11:01]
been received.
[11:03]
So through you, Mr. Chair, the applicant
[11:06]
is requesting consent to sever one
[11:07]
residential lot from an existing 7.6
[11:10]
seen hector parcel. The lot will be
[11:12]
approximately 3.21 hectares in size and
[11:15]
have approximately 130 mters of frontage
[11:17]
on seventh line. The lands would be
[11:19]
serviced by a new private well and
[11:20]
septic system and would be accessed
[11:23]
again by seventh line and open and
[11:24]
maintained municipal road.
[11:27]
In addition, the applicant always also
[11:29]
proposes to establish an easement across
[11:31]
the severed parcel to recognize the
[11:32]
hydro lane that services the existing
[11:34]
house on the lot.
[11:36]
uh the lands are designated rural and
[11:38]
environmental protection in the me
[11:39]
official plan. So comments were received
[11:41]
from Gray County planning ecology and
[11:44]
social services staff noting no concerns
[11:46]
with the application. After report
[11:48]
finalization, additional comments were
[11:50]
received from the historic sahi matei
[11:52]
who stated they had no objection to the
[11:54]
application and additional comments were
[11:56]
received from Grace Conservation
[11:58]
Authority who determined that there was
[12:00]
sufficient room outside the regulated
[12:02]
area to establish a new building
[12:03]
envelope for a dwelling well and septic
[12:05]
system. GSA stated the consent was
[12:08]
acceptable provided that the entrance
[12:09]
for the new lobby required to
[12:11]
demonstrate safe access and that the
[12:12]
culvert is appropriately sized to handle
[12:14]
storm events. Uh this would be required
[12:17]
as part of the standard municipal
[12:18]
evaluation for whether or not an
[12:19]
entrance permit can be issued and as
[12:21]
such is already captured under the
[12:22]
requirements uh recommended in
[12:24]
recommended condition number three in
[12:26]
the planning report. Uh no other
[12:28]
comments have been received as of this
[12:30]
time and after review of the proposed
[12:33]
proposal based on applicable planning
[12:34]
policies and documents staff are
[12:36]
satisfied that the application is
[12:38]
consistent with the policies of the PPS
[12:40]
and upholds the intent and purpose of
[12:42]
the official plan and zoning bylaw. as
[12:44]
Dutch staff are recommending approval
[12:45]
subject to the conditions outlined in
[12:47]
the report.
[12:49]
>> Thank you, Michael. Members of the
[12:51]
committee, are there any questions
[12:53]
related to this application?
[12:58]
» No. Um, would the applicant or his agent
[13:02]
wish to say anything on this file?
[13:07]
» Yes. Uh, good afternoon. My name is Ron
[13:09]
Davidson. I am the planning consultant
[13:11]
that filed the application on behalf of
[13:14]
Mr. and Mrs. Lane and they're here with
[13:15]
me today. I have very little to add.
[13:17]
Michael went uh went through that uh
[13:20]
everything basically that you need to
[13:21]
know. Um it conforms with the official
[13:24]
plan both the county level and the local
[13:26]
level here. It is consistent with the
[13:28]
provincial policy statements. Um just to
[13:31]
back up a bit, what the slains are
[13:32]
proposing to do is sever so they can
[13:34]
downsize. they want to build their house
[13:36]
on the severed parcel and sell the the
[13:39]
retained parcel that their house is on
[13:41]
right now. That's it in a nutshell. Um
[13:44]
that's all I need to say. It looks like
[13:45]
you've got a lot of things on the
[13:46]
agenda, so I'll stop talking now. Thank
[13:49]
you. Is there any members of the public
[13:52]
either online or here wish to speak on
[13:56]
this?
[13:57]
Seeing none, um any final comments,
[14:03]
members of the committee? No. Then Haley
[14:06]
can you please read the suggested
[14:08]
decision and conditions for approval?
[14:12]
>> So the recommended decision is that the
[14:14]
committee of adjustment of the
[14:15]
municipality of meford approve consent
[14:18]
B14205
[14:20]
to sever one lot from an existing parcel
[14:23]
and to establish an easement over the
[14:25]
proposed lot for the purpose of
[14:27]
recognizing an existing hydro easement
[14:30]
subject to the following conditions.
[14:32]
First that the applicant meets all the
[14:34]
requirements of the municipality
[14:36]
financial or otherwise for the
[14:38]
certificate of consents to be issued.
[14:41]
Second payment of cash in lie of
[14:44]
parkland dedication for the severed
[14:46]
lands. Third confirmation that an
[14:48]
entrance permit is available for the
[14:50]
road authority and will be provided by
[14:53]
the applicant prior to the final
[14:54]
approval. enforce that the final
[14:57]
reference plan be provided to the
[14:59]
municipality for review to the
[15:00]
satisfaction of the municipality.
[15:03]
>> Thank you.
[15:04]
>> May I have a motion on the decision as
[15:06]
read by the secretary treasurer?
[15:11]
That was Ed and Peter. Any last comments
[15:16]
before we take the vote?
[15:19]
All in favor?
[15:22]
That motion is passed. Can you please
[15:24]
outline next steps, please?
[15:29]
» Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, the applicant
[15:32]
can now take down the sign on their
[15:33]
property and I will provide the notice
[15:36]
to you by email by Friday and and yeah,
[15:41]
that's all. Thank you.
[15:50]
We'll just take a 30 seconds to sign
[15:53]
that. We may
[16:49]
This committee will now consider two
[16:50]
applications for consent under section
[16:53]
45 of the planning act for vacant lands
[16:57]
on grey road 18 art lot 17 concession to
[17:02]
east in Meford. The requirement to hold
[17:05]
this meeting is m that there must have
[17:07]
been at least 14 days notice as
[17:10]
prescribed by the planning act. Haley,
[17:13]
can you please confirm to us the date of
[17:15]
notice and calculate that we've had at
[17:17]
least 14 days?
[17:19]
>> Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, the
[17:21]
notice was provided on August 7th, 2025,
[17:25]
giving more than the required 14 days
[17:27]
notice.
[17:28]
Thank you.
[17:30]
>> Michael, I believe you're the planner on
[17:32]
this one again. Can you please summarize
[17:34]
the application and any comments that
[17:36]
have been received?
[17:37]
>> Sure. So, through you, Mr. Chair, uh the
[17:40]
applicant is requesting consent to sever
[17:42]
two residential building lots from an
[17:43]
existing 46.4 hectare vacant parcel. Lot
[17:47]
A will be approximately 4.8 hectares in
[17:50]
size and have 164.5 m of frontage on
[17:54]
Grey Road 18. Lot B will be
[17:56]
approximately 5.7 hectares in size and
[17:59]
have 197 meters of frontage on Grey Road
[18:02]
18. Uh the lands will be serviced by a
[18:04]
new private well and septic systems and
[18:07]
would have access on Grey Road 18 open
[18:09]
and maintain municipal road. The lands
[18:11]
are designated rule and environmental
[18:12]
protection in the MER official plan.
[18:15]
So, comments from the application were
[18:17]
received from Gray County staff who
[18:19]
stated that providing the conservation
[18:21]
authority is satisfied with the findings
[18:23]
of the flood mapping and analysis report
[18:26]
and that all lots can be safely
[18:28]
accessed, planning, county planning
[18:30]
ecology staff's comments are addressed
[18:31]
and that the proposed entrances conform
[18:33]
to the previous county transportation
[18:35]
comments from 2021. County planning
[18:38]
staff have no concerns with the subject
[18:39]
application. These requirements have
[18:41]
been integrated into the recommended
[18:43]
conditions of consent. Multiple comments
[18:46]
were received from the historic sahim
[18:48]
matei. Initial comments stating that
[18:50]
they disagreed with the findings of the
[18:51]
applicant's EIS and that development
[18:55]
findings that development could be
[18:57]
accommodated with no negative impacts to
[18:59]
identify natural heritage features and
[19:01]
related ecological functions. Historic
[19:03]
Sahin does not agree with this
[19:05]
conclusion stating that all healthy
[19:06]
trees and in particular mature healthy
[19:08]
trees provide important habitat and
[19:10]
ecological functions that cannot be
[19:11]
easily replaced. In comments later
[19:13]
submitted historic sahim mate further
[19:15]
recommended that a 30 m setback be
[19:17]
maintained between the waterway and any
[19:19]
disturbance. However, ultimately the
[19:21]
historic sahim stated they had no
[19:23]
objections to the severances as
[19:25]
presented.
[19:26]
Finally, comments were received from
[19:28]
Grace Conservation Authority stating
[19:30]
that the previous comments provided for
[19:32]
the applications are still valid. These
[19:34]
comments were included in the planning
[19:36]
report as appendix 5 and the
[19:38]
recommendations of these comments have
[19:40]
also been integrated into the proposed
[19:41]
conditions of consent. No other comments
[19:44]
have been received as at this time and
[19:46]
after review of the proposal based on
[19:48]
applicable planning policies and
[19:49]
documents, staff are satisfied that the
[19:51]
application can be made consistent with
[19:53]
the policies of the PPS and to uphold
[19:56]
the intent and purpose of the official
[19:57]
plans and zoning bylaws if the
[20:00]
recommended conditions are implemented
[20:02]
and as such staff are recommending
[20:04]
approval.
[20:05]
>> Thank you. Members of the committee, do
[20:08]
you have any questions, comments,
[20:10]
concerns?
[20:14]
No. Um, is the applicant or their agent
[20:18]
here? And if so, do they want to speak
[20:21]
on this file online? If you would
[20:24]
identify yourself, please.
[20:27]
>> Um, my name is
[20:30]
Hi, my name is Don Scott uh with Quest
[20:34]
of Planning Consultants. We have been
[20:36]
working with with Mr. and Mrs. back
[20:39]
along this application for some time.
[20:41]
I've reviewed Michael's uh report. We
[20:45]
don't have any additional comments and
[20:48]
we are uh supporting the recommendations
[20:50]
that he provided the committee. I'll
[20:54]
answer any questions if the committee
[20:56]
has any uh questions.
[21:02]
» Committee members, do you have any
[21:04]
questions for this individual? No.
[21:06]
>> Thank you. Thank you. Um, is there any
[21:10]
member of the public that wishes to
[21:12]
speak on this file?
[21:15]
No. Last opportunity, questions,
[21:18]
comments. Um, since this is two
[21:22]
consents,
[21:23]
um, they will be handled separately in
[21:26]
two votes. So, if you could read the
[21:29]
suggested decision.
[21:32]
>> Yeah. Or B 01 first.
[21:36]
Um so the recommended decision is that
[21:38]
the committee of adjustment of the
[21:40]
municipality of Mayford approve consent
[21:42]
B012025
[21:45]
to sever the lot from an existing vacant
[21:48]
parcel. Uh should the committee decide
[21:51]
to grant approval of consent B01 2025
[21:55]
parcel A on the site plan staff
[21:57]
recommend the following conditions be
[21:59]
included.
[22:01]
One that the applicant meets all the
[22:03]
requirements of the municipality
[22:05]
financial or otherwise for the
[22:07]
certificate of consents to be issued.
[22:10]
Second, payment of cash in lie of
[22:12]
parkland dedication for the severed
[22:14]
lands. Third, that a well test is
[22:17]
conducted to demonstrate the severed lot
[22:19]
can be adequately supported by on-site
[22:22]
water servicing to the satisfaction of
[22:24]
the municipality.
[22:26]
Fourth, that evidence be provided by a
[22:28]
qualified professional that on-site
[22:31]
wastewater servicing can be accommodated
[22:33]
in areas outside of any areas
[22:36]
susceptible to flooding. Fifth,
[22:39]
confirmation that an entrance permit is
[22:42]
available from the road authority will
[22:44]
be provided by the applicant prior to
[22:46]
the final approval. Six, that written
[22:50]
confirmation is received from the county
[22:52]
of Gray that any required road widening
[22:55]
has com has been completed to the
[22:57]
satisfaction of the county of Gray.
[22:59]
Seven, that the severed lot is
[23:01]
appropriately reszoned by application of
[23:04]
the property owners to the municipality
[23:07]
to accurately represent the actual
[23:09]
Hizard land limit as established in the
[23:12]
letter provided by Grace Conservation
[23:14]
Authority on November 7th, 2024 and to
[23:17]
implement the recommendations of the
[23:19]
submitted scoped environmental impact
[23:21]
study provided by roots environmental
[23:24]
and dated May 20th, 2025. And lastly,
[23:28]
that the final reference plan be
[23:30]
provided to the municipality for review
[23:32]
to the satisfaction of the municipality.
[23:35]
>> Thank you. Any comments, questions?
[23:40]
May I have a motion then to uh accept
[23:44]
the decision?
[23:46]
Mo Peter and Ed, all of those in favor.
[23:51]
That motion is carried. Uh we'll proceed
[23:54]
with P 02 first. Next.
[23:58]
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, should the
[24:00]
committee decide to grant approval of
[24:02]
consent B 02205
[24:05]
parcel B on the site plan, SAP recommend
[24:08]
the following conditions be included.
[24:10]
One, that the applicant meets all the
[24:12]
requirements of the municipalities
[24:14]
financial or otherwise for the
[24:16]
certificate of consent to be issued.
[24:18]
Two, payment of cash in of parkland
[24:20]
dedication for the severed lands. Three
[24:23]
that a belt test is conducted to
[24:25]
demonstrate that the severed loss can be
[24:27]
adequately supported by on-site water
[24:30]
servicing to the satisfaction of the
[24:31]
municipality or that evidence be
[24:34]
provided by a qualified professional
[24:36]
that on-site wastewater servicing can be
[24:38]
accommodated in areas outside of any
[24:41]
areas susceptible to flooding. Five,
[24:44]
confirmation that an entrance permit is
[24:46]
available from the road authority and
[24:49]
will be provided by the applicant prior
[24:51]
to final approval. Six, that written
[24:53]
confirmation is received from the county
[24:55]
of Gray that any required road widening
[24:58]
has been completed to the satisfaction
[24:59]
of the county of Gray. Seven, that the
[25:02]
severed lot is appropriately reszoned by
[25:04]
application of the property owners to
[25:06]
the municipality to accurately represent
[25:09]
the actual hazard land limit as
[25:10]
established in the letter provided by
[25:12]
Grace Conservation Authority on November
[25:15]
7th, 2024 and to implement the
[25:18]
recommendations of the submitted scoped
[25:20]
environmental impact study provided by
[25:22]
roots environmental and dated May 20th,
[25:25]
2025. Eight that as part of any zoning
[25:28]
ball amendment for this parcel, a
[25:30]
holding symbol be established over the
[25:33]
western portion of the parcel to ensure
[25:35]
geotechnical information is provided
[25:38]
regarding slope stability prior to a
[25:40]
dwelling being constructed being
[25:43]
constructed on the upper lands of parcel
[25:45]
B. nine that the t that at the time of
[25:49]
time parcel B is developed a detailed
[25:51]
engineers grading and drainage plan be
[25:54]
provided to demonstrate how drainage can
[25:56]
be accommodated through the lower
[25:58]
portion of parcel B and lastly that the
[26:01]
final reference plan be provided to the
[26:03]
municipality for review to the
[26:05]
satisfaction of the municipality.
[26:08]
>> Thank you. May I have a motion relative
[26:11]
to this decision as read by the
[26:13]
secretary treasurer?
[26:16]
Ed and David.
[26:19]
Any discussion, comments, concerns?
[26:24]
All in favor?
[26:26]
That motion is carried. Can you please
[26:29]
read the next steps on that file?
[26:34]
Uh now the applicant can take down the
[26:36]
sign on their property and I will
[26:38]
provide a notice to them by Friday and I
[26:41]
will circulate it to them by email.
[26:43]
Thank you.
[27:55]
Next on the agenda is application file
[27:58]
A0 2025.
[28:04]
The committee of adjustment will now
[28:05]
consider an application for a minor
[28:07]
variance under section 45 of the
[28:10]
planning act for the property known as
[28:13]
63 Bridge Street in Meford. Um under
[28:18]
section 45 planning act the requirement
[28:21]
to hold this meeting must that there
[28:23]
must have been at least 10 days notice
[28:25]
as prescribed. Can you please confirm
[28:28]
the date of the notice was published and
[28:30]
calculate that we've had at least 10
[28:32]
days notice? Thank you, Mr. Chair. The
[28:34]
notice was provided on August 7th, 2025,
[28:37]
giving more than the required attendance
[28:39]
notice.
[28:40]
>> Thank you, Elena. I believe you are the
[28:43]
planner on this file. If you could
[28:45]
please summarize it and outline any
[28:47]
correspondence or that has been
[28:49]
received.
[28:50]
>> Yes, thank you. Through you, Mr. Chair.
[28:52]
Um so the property owners would like to
[28:54]
construct a detached garage containing
[28:56]
an additional residential unit or ARU on
[28:59]
their property at 63 Bridge Street. Um
[29:03]
so for properties in the residential
[29:05]
three or R3 zone, the required front
[29:07]
yard setback for new accessory buildings
[29:10]
is equal to the existing setback from
[29:12]
the main wall of the main house um to
[29:16]
the front property line. So this is to
[29:18]
recognize the layout of those
[29:19]
established neighborhoods and the more
[29:21]
compact urban areas of town. Um and to
[29:24]
ensure that accessory buildings don't
[29:26]
significantly alter or impact the street
[29:29]
view of the existing neighborhood. Um so
[29:32]
for example, if all the build all the
[29:34]
main houses are 10 m back and you put an
[29:37]
accessory building a meter away, it
[29:40]
alters that street view. Um, so in this
[29:42]
case, the main house on the property is
[29:44]
set back 13.9 m from the front property
[29:47]
line. Um, and the owners are requesting
[29:50]
a front yard setback of 7.5 m for the
[29:52]
ARU.
[29:54]
So, looking at the neighborhood, most of
[29:56]
the houses are situated closer to the
[29:58]
property line than this proposed ARU.
[30:01]
Um, with a significant portion of the
[30:03]
existing homes along St. Vincent Street
[30:05]
located closer than 5 m from the front
[30:08]
property line.
[30:10]
Um, and then I also note that the as of
[30:12]
right setback for main dwellings within
[30:14]
this zone is 7.5 m. Um, so if you were
[30:18]
building a main house on a property
[30:20]
there, it could be 7.5 m from the front
[30:23]
property line as a rate. Um, so in
[30:26]
consideration of this and noting that
[30:28]
all other zoning provisions will be met,
[30:30]
uh, staff are of the opinion that this
[30:32]
variance is minor and recommend
[30:34]
approval. and comments were received
[30:36]
from county planning and ecology
[30:38]
departments who noted no concerns. And
[30:41]
then following agenda circulation, we
[30:43]
did receive comments from Grace Aubble
[30:44]
and the historic Sagine Matei who also
[30:47]
noted no concerns. Thank you.
[30:49]
>> Thank you. Members of the committee, are
[30:51]
there any questions, concerns, comments?
[30:54]
Peter
[30:56]
>> for Helina. Um Helen, is there adequate
[30:59]
visibility sight lines between the
[31:01]
corner of the proposed garage and the
[31:03]
next house over? It's not shown where
[31:05]
exactly next building is.
[31:08]
>> Yes. Yeah. So, it'll be it does meet the
[31:10]
provisions uh for the interior sideyard
[31:13]
setback and it actually exceeds those
[31:15]
provisions. Um
[31:16]
>> because it's on a corner.
[31:18]
>> Yeah. Yeah.
[31:20]
>> Yeah. So, we do have for those corner
[31:22]
lots sight triangle provisions and so
[31:25]
it's 5 by 5 m and it's well away from
[31:28]
that that corner line. Yeah. Thank you.
[31:33]
Are there any members? Any other
[31:35]
questions? Um Helena, I have one. Um how
[31:39]
close is the proposed garage to the
[31:43]
property line?
[31:44]
>> It's 1.499
[31:47]
m from the interior from sorry from the
[31:50]
interior side
[31:52]
>> yard
[31:53]
>> relative to the first street north I
[31:57]
guess it is or whatever direction on St.
[32:00]
Vincent. How far does that garage come?
[32:05]
Because to me, that house is sitting
[32:07]
back a fairways from the street and a uh
[32:12]
whatever it is, a 23 foot, 24 foot high
[32:16]
garage sitting right beside their uh
[32:19]
front porch isn't terribly attractive.
[32:24]
>> Right. So, the the height for the ARU,
[32:27]
it can be up to six meters. I realize
[32:29]
that it's perfectly acceptable in terms
[32:31]
of height, but I think it's a question
[32:33]
of where does it sit relative to the
[32:37]
house next door and their front porch.
[32:40]
>> So, it sits um and it is an irregular
[32:43]
lot for sure, this this lot at 63 Bridge
[32:46]
Street. Um, so it'll sit um and the
[32:50]
property owner is here as well who may
[32:51]
be able to provide some more info, but
[32:54]
um it'll be
[32:57]
beside the house to
[33:01]
side.
[33:02]
>> Does it actually go closer to the road
[33:05]
than than the porch of the house next
[33:07]
door?
[33:09]
>> No. From looking at aerial photos, no.
[33:12]
Um
[33:14]
>> um
[33:16]
perhaps if the applicant is here um you
[33:19]
can speak to that.
[33:22]
>> Sure. I turn this on.
[33:24]
>> Yes, please. And if you'd identify
[33:26]
yourself.
[33:27]
>> Yes. My name is Alan Reed. I'm the owner
[33:29]
of 63 Bridge along with my wife.
[33:32]
>> So the uh intention is not to disrupt
[33:35]
the street the streetscape whatsoever.
[33:38]
uh considerable efforts going into
[33:40]
making sure that it reflects the street
[33:42]
in terms of quality of product that's on
[33:45]
the street. Um we have spent a fair
[33:48]
amount of time with our neighbor Jeff
[33:50]
Fletcher who was in the adjacent house
[33:52]
that you referenced. He sees no issue
[33:55]
with it. The only the only item he
[33:58]
referenced was that he wanted to make
[34:00]
sure that his side door could be opened
[34:03]
because the lot line is so close. We
[34:06]
gave him assurance that that would not
[34:07]
be an issue. Um, but the intention is to
[34:11]
make sure that it is not further forward
[34:13]
than his front porch or any of the front
[34:16]
porches that form that part of the
[34:17]
streetscape.
[34:19]
Thank you. Appreciate it. Um, are there
[34:22]
any members of the public and wishing to
[34:25]
speak on this?
[34:27]
Many members any additional comments or
[34:30]
questions?
[34:32]
No.
[34:34]
Haley, can you please provide us with
[34:36]
the suggested decision and conditions
[34:38]
for approval?
[34:39]
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So the recommended
[34:41]
decision is that committee of
[34:43]
adjustments approve minor variance
[34:45]
A082025
[34:47]
for the lens at 63 bridge street
[34:50]
providing relief from zoning bylaw 60209
[34:54]
to permit a front yard setback of 7.5 m
[34:59]
where section 4212D
[35:02]
requires a minimum front line setback of
[35:05]
13.9 m which is the setback of existing
[35:09]
front yard of the main dwelling for an
[35:12]
additional residential unit in the
[35:14]
residential tree or tree zone
[35:17]
subject to the following condition. That
[35:19]
the proposed development shall occur
[35:21]
substantially in accordance with the
[35:23]
site plan and elevations provided with
[35:26]
minor variance application A08 2025 and
[35:30]
attached to the report.
[35:33]
>> Thank you. May I have a motion on the
[35:36]
decision as writed by the secretary
[35:38]
treasurer?
[35:41]
David and Peter.
[35:44]
All of those in favor?
[35:46]
That motion is carried.
[35:50]
» Can you please outline the next steps?
[35:54]
>> Uh, so the applicant can now take down
[35:56]
the sign on their property and I will
[35:58]
provide a notice to you by email by
[36:01]
Friday.
[36:07]
Could you repeat that please?
[36:15]
» Uh you can now you you're aware that you
[36:18]
can take down the sign on the property
[36:21]
and the notice of the decisions will be
[36:24]
signed and I will send it to you by
[36:26]
email by Friday this week.
[36:29]
>> You're welcome.
[36:31]
There has to be an appeal period, which
[36:33]
is why there's
[36:36]
a slight delay, if you will, in final
[36:38]
approval.
[37:32]
The committee will now consider an
[37:34]
application for minor variance file
[37:37]
A092025
[37:40]
under section 45 of the planning act
[37:43]
known as
[37:46]
203776
[37:48]
highway 26.
[37:51]
The requirement to hold this meeting is
[37:52]
that there must have been at least 10
[37:55]
days notice as prescribed in the
[37:57]
planning act. Can you please confirm to
[37:59]
us the notice the date the notice was
[38:01]
published and calculate that we've had
[38:04]
at least 10 days notice.
[38:05]
>> Thank you Mr. Chair. Yes, the notice was
[38:08]
provided on August 7th, 2025 giving more
[38:11]
than the required 10 days notice.
[38:14]
>> Thank you Elena. I believe you are the
[38:16]
planner on this pilot again as well.
[38:18]
>> Yes, thank you Mr. chair. Uh so the
[38:21]
property owner would like to build a
[38:22]
sugar shack with st sap tanks on the
[38:26]
property at 203776
[38:28]
highway 26 uh for maple syrup processing
[38:32]
uh which is a permitted use in the rural
[38:34]
area. The property is accessed by an
[38:37]
established right of way over a
[38:38]
neighboring property which provides
[38:40]
legal access to the lands. uh staff
[38:43]
would note that the subject property has
[38:45]
an approved entrance permit issued
[38:47]
through MTO and maintains a civic
[38:49]
address. So at the time of building
[38:52]
permit submission review, it was noted
[38:54]
that the proposal did not comply with a
[38:56]
portion of section 4.8 of the zoning
[38:59]
bylaw. Uh so section 4.8 notes that
[39:02]
prior to building um a property shall
[39:06]
abut on and obtain legal access from a
[39:10]
street. So although the property obtains
[39:12]
legal access, uh it does not have
[39:15]
technical frontage on a street. So the
[39:18]
property owner is requesting relief from
[39:20]
this provision. Um our official plan
[39:23]
policy support driveway access by right
[39:25]
ofways for existing landlock parcels
[39:28]
such as this one with the intent being
[39:29]
to not sterilize existing lots um that
[39:33]
are within zones that permit these type
[39:35]
of uses um such as the rural zone. And
[39:39]
the way that the the zoning bylaw is
[39:41]
worded uh does require planning approval
[39:43]
prior to building on landlock parcels.
[39:46]
Um and in this case, the property is
[39:48]
viable for building. Um and both the
[39:52]
county planning and ecology and grace
[39:54]
conservation authority uh have no
[39:57]
concerns with the proposal. Um and in in
[40:00]
consideration of this staff do recommend
[40:02]
approval of this this minor variance.
[40:04]
Thank you.
[40:05]
>> Thank you. Members of the committee, do
[40:08]
you have any questions for the planning
[40:09]
staff relative to this file?
[40:13]
>> Yes, Mr.
[40:14]
>> Hi, Helena. Yes, through you, Mr.
[40:16]
Chairman. Um, the fact that it's going
[40:18]
to be is it going to be retail or
[40:21]
commercial? Like, are you going to be
[40:22]
able to drive in there and buy certain?
[40:24]
Does that make a difference in terms of
[40:26]
access through this road allowance? So
[40:29]
it'll be for the processing, so tapping
[40:32]
the trees and and um
[40:35]
collecting the sap, but it won't be um
[40:38]
for any commercial uh retail sales on
[40:41]
the property.
[40:42]
>> So it it doesn't affect the access to
[40:44]
the right of way in any way in terms of
[40:48]
what what what's happening back in the
[40:50]
landlock property doesn't affect the
[40:53]
access to the highway.
[40:55]
>> No. And it'll be similar to any other
[40:57]
agricultural use where there may be
[40:59]
some, you know, trucks,
[41:01]
>> right,
[41:01]
>> going in and out or tractors, that kind
[41:03]
of thing. But, um, any any commercial
[41:06]
use would need to go through site plan
[41:08]
approval as well and and all of that.
[41:11]
But no, it'll it won't affect affect it.
[41:15]
>> Any other questions from the committee
[41:17]
members?
[41:19]
>> Is the applicant here? Uh, and if so, do
[41:22]
they what? Would you like to speak on
[41:24]
this or
[41:26]
you quite comfortable with letting the
[41:28]
committee make the decision from here?
[41:31]
>> Thank you.
[41:32]
>> Any public?
[41:33]
>> No. Committee members, last chance and
[41:37]
Haley, can you please provide a
[41:39]
suggested decision and conditions?
[41:43]
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So the recommended
[41:45]
decision is that the committee of
[41:46]
adjustment approve minor variance A9205
[41:51]
for the lands at 203776
[41:54]
highway 26 providing relief from section
[41:58]
48A of zoning bylaw 60209
[42:02]
to allow for the construction of
[42:04]
buildings andor structures on a property
[42:07]
that does obtain legal access from a
[42:10]
street by way of right of the way
[42:12]
easement over the lands. at 203816
[42:17]
Highway 26 but doesn't front on street.
[42:22]
>> Thank you. Um may I have a motion on the
[42:27]
decision as suggested Peter and and
[42:31]
all those in favor?
[42:33]
>> Sweet.
[42:36]
Motion carried.
[42:40]
» All right. So, um, now you are aware
[42:43]
that you can take down the sign on your
[42:45]
property and I will provide a notice to
[42:48]
you within a couple of days by email.
[42:52]
Thank you.
[43:46]
And now for what the majority of people
[43:49]
here have been waiting for. Uh the
[43:51]
committee will now consider an
[43:53]
application for a minor variance for
[43:56]
under section 45 of the planning act for
[43:59]
lots 1 to 18, 23 to 26 and 94 to 97
[44:07]
um plan 16M89
[44:10]
in the in meford. The requirement to
[44:14]
hold this meeting is that there must
[44:15]
have been at least 10 days notice. Um
[44:18]
since this was pre uh deferred from a
[44:21]
previous meeting, we know that indeed uh
[44:24]
we have had more than 10 days notice.
[44:27]
Normally what would happen when we got
[44:30]
to a file like this is we would simply
[44:33]
um
[44:36]
address any information that has come
[44:39]
since the the file was originally
[44:41]
discussed in our last meeting. I think
[44:44]
given the interest and um the
[44:50]
application
[44:52]
uh or the letters that have been
[44:53]
written, I think it's appropriate that I
[44:56]
ask Michael to review the entire file
[45:00]
and detail the correspondence that has
[45:02]
been received at this time. Thank you.
[45:06]
>> So through you, Mr. Chair. So this
[45:08]
application was deferred at the July
[45:10]
23rd meeting. Uh original comments were
[45:12]
received from the historic sahim matei
[45:14]
and the town of the blue mountains uh
[45:16]
grey county planning and ecology staff
[45:18]
and grey level conservation authority.
[45:20]
All were received stating they had no
[45:21]
concerns. Uh after the deferral as was
[45:24]
mentioned uh we received quite a few
[45:26]
letters from members of the public
[45:28]
including from Imagine Meford, Roy
[45:30]
Meredith, Christine Meredith, Justin
[45:32]
Crouch, uh Chris Webb, Nicole Nicole
[45:36]
McGill, Nikki, sorry, Nicole, and uh
[45:39]
Brian Martin all voicing concern with
[45:41]
the application. Uh concerns that are
[45:44]
generally related to loss of green
[45:45]
space, traffic safety, street parking,
[45:47]
increased density, and snow removal and
[45:50]
storage. I will note that all of these
[45:52]
letters have been provided to committee
[45:54]
members prior to this meeting. Uh so
[45:56]
just to orient oursel the request is
[45:59]
that the uh the application is that the
[46:03]
applicant be granted relief from the
[46:04]
zoning bylaw uh parking requirements of
[46:07]
section 5.5B to permit a building with
[46:10]
three or more dwelling units to allow
[46:11]
parking in the front yard. Uh the
[46:14]
original evaluation was out done was
[46:16]
done in the original planning report. As
[46:18]
part of this return to the committee,
[46:20]
staff uh wrote an addendum report which
[46:23]
was added to the original report and I
[46:26]
think at this time we'll just go through
[46:27]
a bit of that addendum now. Um so staff
[46:30]
want to clarify the scope of the
[46:32]
applicant's request. So once as I said
[46:35]
the application is requesting relief
[46:36]
from the zoning bylaw to permit a
[46:38]
building with three or more dwelling
[46:39]
units to have parking facilities in the
[46:41]
front yard. Uh the purpose of this
[46:44]
request would be to allow single
[46:45]
detached or semi- detached homes to have
[46:47]
driveways in front of the home rather
[46:49]
than along the side into the backyard.
[46:52]
And this request is the only thing under
[46:54]
review. Uh staff want to clarify the use
[46:56]
of the term front yard. Though in common
[46:59]
language, a front yard generally refers
[47:00]
to a landscaped area in front of a
[47:02]
building. From a zoning perspective, it
[47:05]
only refers to the area of a parcel
[47:07]
between the street and the front wall of
[47:09]
the main building. So requesting parking
[47:11]
to be allowed in the front yard does not
[47:13]
mean a property owner is permitted to
[47:15]
park their cars on grass or anything
[47:16]
like that. It simply means that a
[47:18]
driveway can be located between the
[47:20]
front of the home and the road. Uh
[47:23]
during the initial meeting, staff
[47:25]
addressed concerns about uh addressed
[47:28]
questions about section 4.2 of the
[47:30]
zoning bylaw which permits up to two
[47:32]
additional residential units per
[47:33]
property. However, in reviewing the
[47:35]
meeting, staff later noted it could have
[47:37]
been clear that this provision stems
[47:39]
from provincial requirements. Uh changes
[47:42]
to the planning act through Ontario
[47:44]
regulation 29919 maintain mandate that
[47:48]
municipalities allow up to two ARUS as
[47:51]
of right on urban residential lands. Uh
[47:55]
the municipality then amended its zoning
[47:57]
bylaw to affect to reflect these
[47:59]
requirements and has no authority to
[48:01]
override them. I also want to clarify
[48:04]
that during the last meeting I used the
[48:05]
phrase municip municipally initiated to
[48:08]
describe this amendment. Uh in hindsight
[48:11]
that phrase is a bit jargony. Um
[48:13]
municipally initiated simply refers to
[48:15]
an amendment that is not brought forward
[48:17]
by an application by a private citizen.
[48:20]
It does not necessarily mean that it's
[48:22]
the municipality's idea to do it. Oftent
[48:24]
times it can be because we're just
[48:25]
implementing things that have already
[48:27]
been implemented by the province.
[48:30]
So concerns were raised during the
[48:32]
meeting regarding street parking.
[48:33]
Meford's parking bylaw, which is
[48:35]
available on the municipal website,
[48:36]
regulates parking within the
[48:38]
municipality. Anyone hoping to park on a
[48:40]
public street would have to would be
[48:41]
required to follow the rules of this
[48:43]
bylaw. Some of these rules include no
[48:45]
street parking during winter months, no
[48:47]
blocking of driveways, no blocking of
[48:49]
the path of travel on the roadway or
[48:50]
sidewalks, amongst others. Anyone in
[48:53]
contravention of this bylaw is subject
[48:54]
to uh the specific penalties which
[48:57]
include ticketing being towed as
[48:59]
applicable. Uh it should be further
[49:01]
noted that this bylaw will be infect at
[49:04]
the time the road is assumed by the
[49:05]
municipality. If at the time the streets
[49:08]
within the subdivision are assumed by
[49:09]
the municipality and the parking
[49:11]
situation is deemed to be an issue, the
[49:12]
municipality can update its parking
[49:14]
bylaw to greater or restrict parking in
[49:16]
this area.
[49:17]
So after reviewing the meeting, staff
[49:20]
also believe it would be helpful to
[49:21]
provide members of the public with some
[49:23]
additional context as to how the
[49:24]
committee of adjustment is required to
[49:26]
make decisions on minor variance
[49:28]
applications. So the planning act is the
[49:30]
provincial legislation which allows
[49:32]
municipalities to make decisions on how
[49:34]
land is used within their boundaries.
[49:37]
Municipalities regulate the use of land
[49:39]
through various policy documents,
[49:41]
including the official plan, which
[49:43]
contains highlevel policies on how the
[49:45]
municipality as a whole is intended to
[49:47]
develop over an extended period of time,
[49:49]
and the municipal zoning bylaw, which
[49:51]
contains more specific requirements on a
[49:53]
property bypropy basis. It is important
[49:55]
to note that any provincial legislation
[49:58]
supersedes these two documents. If a
[50:00]
property owner wishes to be granted an
[50:02]
exemption from one of the requirements
[50:04]
of the zoning bylaw, they can apply for
[50:06]
a minor variance to be allowed to do so.
[50:09]
The planning act permits municipal
[50:10]
committee of adjustment to grant a minor
[50:12]
variance as long as it meets the
[50:13]
following four tests. One, does the
[50:16]
variance maintain the general intent and
[50:17]
purpose of the official plan? Two, does
[50:19]
the variance maintain the general intent
[50:20]
and purpose of the zoning bylaw? Three,
[50:22]
is the variance desirable for the
[50:24]
appropriate development of lands? And
[50:25]
four, is the variance minor? The role of
[50:28]
staff is to interpretate municipal
[50:29]
policies passed by council as well as
[50:31]
the applicable legislation by the
[50:32]
province of Ontario and using the four
[50:34]
tests provide the committee with a
[50:36]
recommendation based on interpretation
[50:38]
of this policy. It is the role of the
[50:40]
committee members to decide whether they
[50:42]
agree or disagree with staff's
[50:43]
interpretation of the four tests and
[50:44]
either improve and deny the application
[50:46]
as applicable. It is important to note
[50:48]
that the decisions of the committee are
[50:50]
only able to be made based on
[50:51]
interpretations of the four tests and
[50:53]
only for the application in question and
[50:55]
only within the scope of what the
[50:57]
application is requesting. Though staff
[50:59]
is sympathetic that members of the
[51:01]
public may have concerns regarding
[51:02]
density or street parking, these
[51:04]
concerns are beyond the scope of the
[51:05]
submitted application. As outlined in
[51:08]
the original report, staff are of the
[51:10]
opinion that this application meets the
[51:12]
four tests of minor variance and as such
[51:14]
staff recommend the committee of
[51:15]
adjustment approved the application for
[51:16]
minor variance. That's it.
[51:19]
>> Thank you. Members of the committee, do
[51:21]
you have any questions?
[51:27]
» Through you, Mr. Chair. First of all, I
[51:29]
apologize I wasn't at the last meeting.
[51:31]
So Tom, a lot of this is the information
[51:34]
that I've taken out of the of the file
[51:36]
and tried to absorb everything that
[51:38]
you've been telling us, Michael. Um, a
[51:42]
couple of things that came to my mind
[51:43]
was one I I took a little tour around to
[51:47]
some other developments and I see where
[51:49]
they have public parking places in every
[51:53]
section of their development. Is that
[51:56]
ever been looked at or is it legislative
[51:58]
or is that just something that's part of
[52:00]
good planning? That was my first
[52:02]
question. Um and secondly, how does this
[52:06]
impact
[52:08]
um these are six plexes I guess are is
[52:11]
that what they call these? This these
[52:14]
particular buildings are three plexes.
[52:18]
They're single dwellings with
[52:20]
>> Te technically they are
[52:21]
>> technically they're you could say that
[52:22]
they are semi- detached or single
[52:25]
detached dwellings with additional
[52:26]
residential units, right?
[52:28]
>> So just to make it Yeah, that's what it
[52:31]
is.
[52:32]
>> Yeah. So is each one of these people
[52:35]
still going to be allowed to park two
[52:36]
vehicles?
[52:37]
>> No.
[52:38]
Okay. Thank you. That answers my
[52:40]
question.
[52:42]
>> Committee members, any other Peter?
[52:45]
>> Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um
[52:47]
we received today additional information
[52:49]
from
[52:51]
planning department on two no three
[52:53]
drawings. I wonder is that possible they
[52:55]
can be put up so everyone can see what
[52:56]
they are
[53:09]
» and can someone take us through what
[53:10]
they are about?
[53:15]
So I will let that leave that up to the
[53:17]
applicant who is here today. I can
[53:19]
direct as you want but
[53:23]
thank you chair. Um yeah we were
[53:25]
requesting
[53:26]
>> please identify yourself although most
[53:28]
people know
[53:29]
>> uh Rob Armstrong. I'm a planner
[53:31]
representing Nortara who is the
[53:33]
proponent of these properties who's
[53:35]
looking to develop it. Um at the request
[53:37]
of of of Michael, we provided some
[53:40]
drawings just to give some context of
[53:43]
what's being requested. Um this drawing
[53:47]
uh was the original uh drawing I believe
[53:49]
that was submitted with the application
[53:51]
which shows the uh a semi- detached
[53:56]
unit. You're seeing the unit on the left
[53:58]
with the four parking spots out front.
[54:01]
In accordance with the bylaw, you're
[54:03]
required two parking spaces for the main
[54:06]
dwelling unit and then one each for the
[54:09]
ADU accessory dwelling unit. So those
[54:11]
are the four parking spots. Um so that's
[54:14]
what you are seeing on that drawing um
[54:20]
in within a semi- detached. Um, as
[54:23]
Michael noted, uh, the provisions of the
[54:25]
bylaw, uh, when you are, uh, have a
[54:30]
dwelling unit, so one of those semi-
[54:32]
detached, which has three units in it,
[54:35]
you're not allowed to have parking in
[54:37]
the front yard by virtue of the bylaw.
[54:40]
Um those three units as Michael
[54:42]
mentioned are legislated that you must
[54:45]
allow them within a single detached
[54:48]
semi- detached uh type unit which is
[54:51]
being considered on that. So they're
[54:52]
required to be allowed. So our position
[54:54]
is uh we're allowed to have three units
[54:57]
but it's unreasonable for us to require
[55:00]
us to have parking in the sideyard or in
[55:02]
the rear yard for these type of units.
[55:05]
Um so that's that's what you're seeing
[55:07]
here. Uh the next drawing was just
[55:09]
showing context of how it would look
[55:12]
with two the two semi- detached. So you
[55:15]
can see you have the four parking spots
[55:17]
in front of each of the units and uh to
[55:21]
take advantage of provided additional
[55:23]
green space. Uh you're allowed to
[55:25]
connect the driveways uh on a semi-
[55:28]
detach. So there's zero lot line allowed
[55:31]
when you connect them which will keep
[55:32]
the 2 m uh on the opposite side. So 2 to
[55:37]
two you'll have 4 meters of green space
[55:40]
in between or landscape space in between
[55:42]
the parking areas. Um again this is just
[55:45]
showing the context when you have four
[55:47]
separate units. Um and the last drawing
[55:50]
that was uh provided um the provincial
[55:54]
legislation allows you to have two ADUs
[55:59]
in a dwelling for three units or allows
[56:02]
you to have one ADU in the dwelling and
[56:05]
one as accessory. you heard an
[56:06]
application earlier today where they
[56:08]
were uh doing an ADU in an accessory
[56:11]
building. So, here's a here's a uh a
[56:14]
synopsis where you have um two units in
[56:18]
the main building and you have an
[56:20]
accessory in the back. We would not be
[56:22]
in front of the committee today. They
[56:24]
would have a right of approval to do
[56:26]
that because you only have two units in
[56:30]
the main building, which is the
[56:32]
provision of the bylaw that we're
[56:33]
running against. uh and therefore we
[56:36]
can't do it. So we could do these and
[56:38]
have three units on the property uh in
[56:41]
accordance with the current bylaw. And I
[56:43]
think that was the intent of showing the
[56:45]
difference of of of uh what we could do
[56:49]
as of right today versus what why we're
[56:51]
here on the other scenario. I hope that
[56:54]
explains the purpose. Um I can answer
[56:56]
that one question that it didn't get
[56:58]
answered uh by the member uh Mr. Armsby.
[57:02]
Some developments, yes, they do have
[57:04]
common parking areas. Those are
[57:06]
typically in condominiums or other forms
[57:08]
of development where that parking area
[57:11]
can be managed by a condominium
[57:13]
corporation. This is a standard freehold
[57:16]
development. So, the individual will own
[57:18]
an individual lot. The roads are all
[57:20]
public. There's no common ownership and
[57:23]
ability to have common maintenance of
[57:25]
those areas. So, it's not uh you cannot
[57:28]
do that under a conventional plan
[57:30]
subdivision.
[57:32]
Are there any additional questions
[57:34]
specifically for the planning staff?
[57:39]
» Yes, planning staff. Um, if you expand
[57:42]
that drawing to the next units across,
[57:45]
how many units are we going to get?
[57:46]
Parking lot space we're going to get
[57:49]
because we're talking how many different
[57:50]
lots going to be applied to.
[57:55]
» Sorry, how many lots is the minions
[57:56]
applied to? You expand this drawing to
[57:59]
the real number of of units can be
[58:00]
built. How many parking spaces will
[58:02]
there be?
[58:03]
>> Uh
[58:05]
>> in the streetscape
[58:06]
>> there is approximately 20 units I
[58:08]
believe
[58:10]
30 approximately 30 units. Yeah. That
[58:14]
this variance would apply to.
[58:15]
>> So how many parking sps would there be?
[58:18]
>> 120. In theory there would be permitted
[58:21]
to be up to 120. But the just to make it
[58:24]
clear, it is already permitted. All of
[58:27]
those parking spaces are already
[58:28]
permitted.
[58:28]
>> I understand that. I understand that.
[58:30]
>> Okay.
[58:30]
>> My other point is the fact I take it a
[58:32]
bit of an issue with your report in your
[58:34]
four tests.
[58:36]
>> Okay.
[58:36]
>> Number three is the variance desirable
[58:38]
for the appropriate development of the
[58:39]
lands. I think this overdoing it. This
[58:42]
is not what the intent original intent
[58:43]
was to have single family buildings in a
[58:46]
low-rise development. This is now going
[58:48]
to look like a big parking lot.
[58:51]
My other point is the number four is the
[58:52]
variance minor. This is a major
[58:54]
variance, not a minor one in my opinion.
[59:03]
» It's okay.
[59:04]
>> I can that I mean that
[59:07]
>> follows with a similar question I had
[59:10]
and I discussed previously with you. Um
[59:14]
if the developer had come in
[59:17]
with a variance request to uh basically
[59:22]
reduce the um front yard from because
[59:27]
they wanted to go to singles from 11 to
[59:29]
8, reduce the sideyard setbacks
[59:33]
and do the uh additional move the
[59:37]
parking space. Would you would the
[59:39]
planning staff still have considered
[59:41]
this a minor variance?
[59:46]
So I'll I'll answer that question a few
[59:48]
parts if that's all right. So
[59:51]
sorry. So
[59:53]
to answer to bounce off a little bit of
[59:56]
what Peter already said. So the original
[59:58]
variance was to allow these lots to be
[1:00:01]
changed to allow single detached
[1:00:02]
dwellings. when the uh when the
[1:00:05]
subdivision was designed, it was
[1:00:06]
designed to have semi- detached
[1:00:08]
dwellings. So that was what was in place
[1:00:10]
before and then that was varied to also
[1:00:13]
allow single detached later. Uh whether
[1:00:17]
or not staff would still consider this
[1:00:19]
minor. So I will start by saying every
[1:00:22]
planning application is supposed to be
[1:00:24]
taken on its own merit. Um, but as part
[1:00:28]
of a
[1:00:30]
for a hypothetical sake, I would say in
[1:00:33]
my opinion, yes, I would still consider
[1:00:34]
this minor cuz the only thing actually
[1:00:37]
being requested here is that parking is
[1:00:39]
allowed in the front yard. And I would
[1:00:42]
say in line with most of the well with
[1:00:45]
every other part of this development,
[1:00:47]
parking is allowed in the front yard.
[1:00:49]
And as such, that request is not minor
[1:00:52]
or is minor. Sorry.
[1:00:55]
Um I have a couple of additional
[1:00:57]
questions. Um has the developer come
[1:01:00]
back and asked or had discussions
[1:01:05]
relative to any changes in um the
[1:01:10]
remaining phases 3 to five other than
[1:01:14]
what was approved in the recent uh
[1:01:19]
zoning bylaw 2025-30
[1:01:22]
in May.
[1:01:26]
Look, I'm trying to understand whether
[1:01:28]
there's going to be future changes and
[1:01:32]
I'm asking the planning staff first.
[1:01:35]
>> Mr. Chair, I'll I'll jump in. So, not to
[1:01:38]
my knowledge. However, there are there
[1:01:40]
is a number of of additional lands to be
[1:01:43]
developed and so um it isn't unusual for
[1:01:47]
developers over time to request changes
[1:01:51]
given the market changes that happen,
[1:01:52]
especially in subdivisions that uh build
[1:01:55]
out more slowly. So, if something built
[1:01:57]
out over over a course of a summer like
[1:01:59]
you might see in a big city, then they
[1:02:01]
don't need to do that. But what happens
[1:02:02]
when it takes several years to build out
[1:02:04]
a subdivision? often they realize that
[1:02:06]
certain unit types are more desirable to
[1:02:08]
the market at that time and they may
[1:02:10]
make changes. So it's not unusual. So I
[1:02:12]
don't want to say they never will ask
[1:02:14]
for anything else and I don't think it
[1:02:15]
would be reasonable to expect that they
[1:02:17]
wouldn't but at this stage they had
[1:02:20]
noticed that certain units were selling
[1:02:22]
better than other things and they wanted
[1:02:23]
to uh be more adaptable to those changes
[1:02:26]
which is why that zoning amendment
[1:02:28]
happened in the springtime.
[1:02:31]
>> I have one additional uh question.
[1:02:35]
there uh concern has been expressed with
[1:02:38]
respect to traffic and one of the in one
[1:02:41]
of the TIS studies um talked about a
[1:02:45]
left turn lane and lights going in at
[1:02:48]
Equity Drive um and it would be
[1:02:51]
triggered by when for instance Meford
[1:02:54]
Haven um started building. Do you have
[1:02:57]
any sense of when that is going to
[1:03:01]
happen?
[1:03:05]
So through you again Mr. Chair. So I was
[1:03:07]
dealing with some of these other files
[1:03:09]
at that higher level. So I was dealing
[1:03:11]
with me for Haven for several years. Um
[1:03:15]
at this stage the traffic impact study
[1:03:18]
was updated last year and so they can go
[1:03:21]
a little bit longer before those
[1:03:22]
improvements are needed. So originally
[1:03:24]
it was going to be and I think and Mr.
[1:03:26]
Armstrong will know better than me
[1:03:28]
automatically, but I believe it was 101
[1:03:30]
units were permitted in the first um
[1:03:34]
phase between both developments before
[1:03:37]
they needed to do traffic improvements
[1:03:38]
or in improvements and now I believe
[1:03:41]
it's 200
[1:03:45]
26 226 between the two developments. So
[1:03:50]
if you add in phase one of LON call and
[1:03:53]
you take the first phase of bay bounds,
[1:03:57]
they're well within that number. They're
[1:03:58]
below that. So um it'll be in the
[1:04:02]
following phases when they'll have to
[1:04:04]
make those improvements.
[1:04:05]
>> I I struggled with the um revised uh
[1:04:10]
TIS.
[1:04:11]
the it showed that when you went from
[1:04:16]
single dwelling
[1:04:18]
facilities to semi- detached, the
[1:04:22]
traffic went down. And and so in a
[1:04:26]
sense, I'm looking at this that says
[1:04:30]
we're going to go from semi- detached to
[1:04:34]
single, which is approved in the
[1:04:37]
previous variants, but now we're adding
[1:04:39]
three. while we're adding two additional
[1:04:42]
units to each of those buildings. So,
[1:04:46]
you know, to me, I think we need to to
[1:04:48]
take a serious look at at when this
[1:04:52]
traffic study gets done, especially with
[1:04:55]
the development of Bay Bounds. I mean,
[1:04:57]
they're going crazy getting that
[1:04:58]
property up and going now. Um just a
[1:05:03]
comment from the committee because I
[1:05:05]
know traffic and uh is is a serious
[1:05:10]
concern and we all know that uh the
[1:05:13]
traffic along 26 is getting more and
[1:05:16]
more every day.
[1:05:18]
Uh is there any additional questions for
[1:05:20]
the planning staff specifically? Just a
[1:05:23]
comment to what you said. This is 60 new
[1:05:25]
units.
[1:05:27]
We talked about 30 that were were there
[1:05:29]
initially. Now with two additional units
[1:05:32]
in or 30 that were proposed, two
[1:05:35]
additional new units in each one of them
[1:05:38]
is 60.
[1:05:39]
>> I think it's only specifically 24 like
[1:05:43]
24. So uh
[1:05:45]
>> I know it's 28.
[1:05:47]
>> Yeah.
[1:05:51]
» Actually, I want us to thank all the
[1:05:53]
people who responded the correspondence
[1:05:55]
from the neighbors received. Um I think
[1:05:57]
they're very good points and well worth
[1:05:59]
taking and to me that also and it goes
[1:06:01]
to this point about number three that
[1:06:03]
this frank is not desirable for the
[1:06:05]
appropriate development of the lands.
[1:06:08]
>> Um are there any other questions? Um I
[1:06:12]
have some for Mr. Armstrong if I may.
[1:06:18]
» Um I just want to clarify I also have uh
[1:06:21]
Zach Wilshek from Norta who is the
[1:06:23]
developer of these units. if I can't
[1:06:25]
answer them and they're more on the
[1:06:26]
development side, I'll I'll pass it over
[1:06:28]
to them. I also want to clarify. Um, so
[1:06:32]
Nortara, who is the one looking at to
[1:06:34]
develop these, they own some of these
[1:06:37]
lots and they also have offers to
[1:06:39]
purchase the rest of the lots from M1
[1:06:42]
Development Link, Lonall. Lonall is not
[1:06:46]
the one that's proposing to do this
[1:06:48]
development. They are a townhouse
[1:06:50]
developer as per you can see across the
[1:06:53]
road. that's what they develop um and
[1:06:55]
they're not um the ones doing it. So
[1:06:57]
it's most it's Nortara that is looking
[1:06:59]
to develop these units uh into these
[1:07:02]
tats.
[1:07:04]
>> Um I asked the question to planning
[1:07:07]
staff. Um is Nortra looking at any
[1:07:13]
changes for phases three through five?
[1:07:17]
Uh, Nortara does not have any interest
[1:07:19]
in any of the the future lots um at that
[1:07:22]
I'm aware of. Um, uh, Lon Call is
[1:07:27]
proceeding. They've submitted
[1:07:28]
applications to proceed with the next 24
[1:07:32]
units. Uh, those 24 units are up by the
[1:07:35]
storm water management pond, their town
[1:07:37]
houses. Uh, they are not proposing uh to
[1:07:40]
develop those units in that matter. Um
[1:07:44]
basically development will be
[1:07:48]
stalled after that point until they deal
[1:07:50]
with the turning lane requirements and
[1:07:52]
also water main upgrades uh aligned with
[1:07:55]
the bay balance development.
[1:07:58]
The
[1:08:01]
houses that are we're we're dealing with
[1:08:04]
today. Will they all not be built and until somebody basically buys them?
[1:08:13]
So, are they all guaranteed to have 380
[1:08:17]
units?
[1:08:18]
>> I think that's a question for Zach. I'll
[1:08:20]
pass it over to him.
[1:08:24]
>> Hello.
[1:08:25]
>> Is that on? There you go.
[1:08:27]
>> Yes, it is.
[1:08:27]
>> My name is uh Zach Walshuk. I represent
[1:08:29]
Nortara Development Group. Um, and yeah,
[1:08:32]
so just to specify, um, we're just
[1:08:35]
applying for the lots in the
[1:08:36]
application. LCDG is listed on there
[1:08:39]
because we have an interest in the
[1:08:40]
property, um, for future, uh, purchase.
[1:08:44]
But yeah, the intent to answer your
[1:08:47]
question is to continue to sell these as
[1:08:49]
market housing. We wanted to open up the
[1:08:52]
option to provide alternative forms of
[1:08:54]
housing on the lots. Given the nature of
[1:08:57]
the the conflict with the parking, we
[1:09:00]
felt we made the application on all of
[1:09:02]
the lots, but the intention is not to
[1:09:04]
build the entire subdivision with
[1:09:06]
triplexes on individual lots. Um, back
[1:09:10]
when we made the application to change
[1:09:11]
them into singles, that was also the
[1:09:14]
intent there. So, ultimately, we're
[1:09:16]
opening up the option on the lots to
[1:09:19]
appeal to different market uh demands.
[1:09:24]
Please correct me if I got this wrong.
[1:09:26]
Do I understand that not all of these
[1:09:29]
units that you're asking for a variance
[1:09:31]
on will be the triplex or is it simply
[1:09:35]
um somebody comes in and says I want a
[1:09:38]
house on lot one but I don't want it
[1:09:41]
built as a triplex. I want it built as a
[1:09:43]
single unit. Is that going to happen?
[1:09:46]
>> Correct. It's going to continue to
[1:09:47]
happen and that's actually the
[1:09:49]
preference. We have a handful of
[1:09:51]
different models. the majority of them
[1:09:52]
are detached or semi- detached and uh if
[1:09:56]
that's what they purchase then that's
[1:09:57]
what we build.
[1:09:58]
>> Okay. So the discussions we've had
[1:10:00]
essentially are potentially maximum as
[1:10:04]
opposed to
[1:10:05]
>> correct. Thank you. Um I have a if if I
[1:10:10]
can bring back Mr. Armstrong
[1:10:13]
please.
[1:10:16]
Um,
[1:10:18]
these originally when this subdivision
[1:10:20]
was approved,
[1:10:23]
um, the driveways were all this the
[1:10:28]
width outline here, which I think is 10
[1:10:30]
ft or
[1:10:33]
whatever it is. I got a little note
[1:10:36]
here. Um, the driveway widths have not
[1:10:39]
changed.
[1:10:40]
>> Uh, I don't believe the driveway widths
[1:10:42]
were identified.
[1:10:44]
um that I'm aware of. The the bylaw
[1:10:48]
requirement is uh 1 m sideyard
[1:10:53]
on on each side or if you're doing a
[1:10:56]
shared driveway, you can go zero. Um
[1:11:00]
that's um that the one of the things
[1:11:03]
that has happened, the buildings have
[1:11:04]
been pushed back further from the road,
[1:11:06]
so they're set back further to allow
[1:11:08]
that additional parking than the minimum
[1:11:10]
bylaw required. But but in in changing
[1:11:14]
from um a D uh semi- detached to a
[1:11:19]
detached, you would not change the
[1:11:23]
driveway dimensions
[1:11:25]
for those buildings.
[1:11:28]
>> I don't believe I'm not sure I
[1:11:30]
understand the the driveway dimensions
[1:11:33]
are controlled by the zoning bylaw. I
[1:11:36]
>> I understand there are minimums,
[1:11:38]
maximums. All All I'm trying to say is
[1:11:41]
the in my mind the change from the
[1:11:46]
original
[1:11:48]
submission on the subdivision which was
[1:11:50]
approved.
[1:11:51]
>> Yeah.
[1:11:51]
>> Um showed
[1:11:54]
driveways
[1:11:56]
essentially there. Um, and when you
[1:11:59]
applied to go to single detached,
[1:12:03]
it was normally would have had 11 m of
[1:12:06]
front yard
[1:12:08]
and and we approved to eight, which is
[1:12:12]
the same as the semi- detached. So, what
[1:12:15]
I'm saying is that change has not
[1:12:18]
changed anything relative to the
[1:12:21]
driveway width other than
[1:12:24]
>> that. I Yes, correct. Yes. So, if I
[1:12:28]
understand it correctly, um based on the
[1:12:30]
lot size, the driveways will take up
[1:12:34]
approximately
[1:12:36]
60% of the front yard.
[1:12:40]
>> Uh with
[1:12:42]
>> 5 1/2 mters out of an 8 mage.
[1:12:45]
>> Yes. So 2 and 1/2 mters is uh excess
[1:12:50]
space you don't require for parking.
[1:12:51]
That's correct.
[1:12:56]
All right. Thank you.
[1:12:59]
>> Any other
[1:13:01]
uh questions, Mr.
[1:13:02]
>> Chairman? Through you to to Rob or or
[1:13:05]
whoever you indicated that the houses
[1:13:08]
have moved deeper into the lot.
[1:13:11]
How give me the measurement now from the
[1:13:13]
curb to the garage door.
[1:13:16]
>> Maybe Michael has it.
[1:13:20]
Blow up that.
[1:13:24]
I need to get out a magnifying glass,
[1:13:25]
too.
[1:13:26]
>> Yeah.
[1:13:28]
>> So, the normal zoning bylaw requirement
[1:13:30]
is 7 1/2 m
[1:13:34]
and they're proposing 16.7
[1:13:40]
meters or 54 ft versus 25 ft. So, almost
[1:13:47]
» Yeah, there's room that we can bring
[1:13:49]
them closer to the road, but it was to
[1:13:51]
bring them back further. I don't want it
[1:13:52]
closer to the road.
[1:13:54]
>> Yeah. So, we've doubled the doubled the
[1:13:56]
setback. That's
[1:13:57]
>> We have a development in town right now
[1:13:59]
where you put a fulls size truck in a
[1:14:01]
lane weight sticking out on the road.
[1:14:03]
>> Yeah. The the the parking spots that you
[1:14:06]
see on the drawing are the minimum
[1:14:08]
requirements. You can see that there's
[1:14:11]
additional area between the garage and
[1:14:13]
the front property line, not the road,
[1:14:15]
but the front property line to
[1:14:17]
accommodate much deeper vehicles in this
[1:14:20]
instance.
[1:14:23]
questions from the committee? No. Um,
[1:14:27]
I'd like to invite the public um to come
[1:14:30]
up to the podium and um address your
[1:14:34]
concerns. In the interests of time, um,
[1:14:39]
because we have all read the letters
[1:14:41]
that have been submitted, I would
[1:14:44]
suggest, and we're all concerned about
[1:14:46]
traffic and parking, um, that we try not
[1:14:51]
to repeat what has been said by previous
[1:14:55]
people if that if that is possible. So
[1:14:58]
feel free if anyone would like to take
[1:15:00]
to the podium,
[1:15:03]
identify yourself. I think it needs to
[1:15:05]
be turned on. I think
[1:15:10]
» my name is Brian Martin. I live at 221
[1:15:12]
Equality Drive, the balloon subdivision.
[1:15:15]
We're talking about parking and this is
[1:15:17]
what we're here for. Um me growing up in
[1:15:21]
the GTA
[1:15:23]
and with this bill that Ford passed,
[1:15:28]
this bill 23, it allows builders to
[1:15:30]
build multiple dwellings. I get that.
[1:15:33]
When Ford was announcing um this
[1:15:36]
announcement, he was basically saying
[1:15:39]
the greater Toronto area or or big
[1:15:42]
metropolitan cities. Not once did I say,
[1:15:46]
"Oh, uh horn pain. Now they can go ahead
[1:15:50]
and develop homes and have multiple
[1:15:52]
dwelling units." Now, I'm all for
[1:15:55]
safety. And in Toronto, most of the
[1:15:59]
people I talked to that live in uh
[1:16:03]
basement apartments,
[1:16:05]
uh uh rooming houses,
[1:16:08]
uh upper upper level apartments, they
[1:16:12]
don't drive. They don't have wheels.
[1:16:15]
So when they leave their front door,
[1:16:18]
there's a sidewalk.
[1:16:20]
Up the street from a sidewalk, there's a
[1:16:23]
bus. If there's not a bus, there's a street car. Um, you walk down
[1:16:29]
two blocks, there's a subway. So, I'm
[1:16:33]
all for this and I'm in the town, they
[1:16:35]
should be all for it, too. These
[1:16:36]
multiple dwellings, but you have to take
[1:16:39]
in consideration the infrastructure.
[1:16:42]
Now, do you guys have public transit
[1:16:44]
here in Meford?
[1:16:47]
Do you? I'm asking a question.
[1:16:50]
>> No.
[1:16:51]
>> Okay, Michael. Uh, in your plans, do you
[1:16:56]
have any specific plans for putting a
[1:16:59]
sidewalk from from, let's say, the
[1:17:01]
Ultramar where the sidewalk ends to our
[1:17:03]
subdivision where you're supposeding
[1:17:06]
going to be putting up a set of lights?
[1:17:07]
Is there a sidewalk that you've uh in
[1:17:10]
the in the works?
[1:17:12]
>> Denise,
[1:17:14]
>> um, if if we could if we could take down
[1:17:17]
any specific questions and not do a bit
[1:17:19]
of a back and forth because that will
[1:17:20]
take a really long time. Sorry. So, but
[1:17:22]
I would be happy to answer questions at
[1:17:24]
the end if that's possible. We could
[1:17:26]
just amalgamate them all. Um, the answer
[1:17:28]
to that is there is a long-term plan for
[1:17:30]
sidewalks. It's not part of planning's
[1:17:33]
um uh work plan. It's an infrastructure
[1:17:36]
project. So, I can't comment on the
[1:17:38]
timing of something like that, but it
[1:17:40]
would be in the in the future. It's not
[1:17:42]
in the five-year capital plan.
[1:17:44]
>> Okay. Sorry. Are you allowed to walk on
[1:17:46]
Highway 26?
[1:17:49]
Am I allowed to ride a bike on Highway
[1:17:50]
26?
[1:17:52]
Like the reason why I'm bringing this
[1:17:53]
up, if you're going to have rental
[1:17:55]
units,
[1:17:57]
say you got a family that don't that
[1:17:59]
doesn't have a vehicle, how they get
[1:18:01]
into town?
[1:18:02]
Say there's a mother with two kids,
[1:18:04]
one's in a stroller. How is she going to
[1:18:06]
get from Lon subdivision in the town?
[1:18:10]
>> Can you answer that?
[1:18:14]
» No.
[1:18:15]
>> There's a lot of questions. That's my
[1:18:17]
concern. Safety. I understand your
[1:18:19]
questions are related around
[1:18:21]
transportation.
[1:18:22]
>> The existing bylaw.
[1:18:25]
>> Yes.
[1:18:25]
>> Which we are
[1:18:29]
only empowered to answer to,
[1:18:32]
>> right?
[1:18:33]
>> Allows the the threelex,
[1:18:36]
>> right?
[1:18:36]
>> And it says in those instances
[1:18:40]
>> there must be four parking spaces.
[1:18:42]
>> That's what we're arguing today. two for
[1:18:45]
the the principal resident and one for
[1:18:49]
each of the additional units.
[1:18:50]
>> Sure.
[1:18:51]
>> And so what you're suggesting
[1:18:56]
um is that there may be multiple
[1:19:00]
um cars for the same family. And I
[1:19:05]
understand that that is a very valid
[1:19:07]
concern,
[1:19:08]
>> but I can't I understand that
[1:19:11]
>> answer that question and neither can the
[1:19:12]
community.
[1:19:13]
>> Okay. But the city, they have to look
[1:19:14]
into stuff like that. Like you don't
[1:19:15]
want to be liable down the road. You
[1:19:17]
have to do your due diligence. That's
[1:19:19]
all I'm saying. You can't snuff it off
[1:19:20]
and say we'll worry about it down
[1:19:22]
because there's going to be renters in
[1:19:23]
there that aren't going to own vehicles.
[1:19:25]
I guarantee that. Guarantee. And you're
[1:19:27]
talking about parking. To me, don't
[1:19:29]
think parking's an issue. It's about
[1:19:31]
safety. like how are these people
[1:19:33]
getting into town? And if that's all you
[1:19:35]
want me to that's all I'll say. If it's if it's it's not imperative for
[1:19:39]
this meeting today, then I'll just sit
[1:19:41]
down. I just want to voice my opinion
[1:19:44]
because it's going to happen.
[1:19:47]
You know, if someone gets hit on the
[1:19:49]
highway 26, the the the town of Meford
[1:19:52]
is going to be liable.
[1:19:54]
Won't be 100% won't be 75, won't be 50,
[1:19:56]
but I guarantee it'll be 25% of fault. I certainly understand your concerns and
[1:20:02]
I would encourage you to address those
[1:20:07]
concerns directly with council because
[1:20:09]
they look at long-term capital budgets
[1:20:13]
as it relates to sidewalks and so forth.
[1:20:16]
Um, but we're here to
[1:20:18]
>> I know I'm just all about safety. That's
[1:20:20]
the only reason why I came here to put
[1:20:21]
this out there about the safety. You
[1:20:23]
know, I'm worried about the safety, the
[1:20:25]
people walking on 26.
[1:20:26]
>> I appreciate your concern. Thank you.
[1:20:29]
Is there anyone else that wishes to
[1:20:31]
speak?
[1:20:35]
» Yeah.
[1:20:43]
» Uh good afternoon. My name is Jim
[1:20:45]
Sullivan and uh although I live in
[1:20:47]
Meford, I don't live in this
[1:20:49]
subdivision.
[1:20:50]
um additional dwelling units uh gives
[1:20:52]
the impression that they are added to an
[1:20:54]
existing property and so the intentions
[1:20:56]
seem to be a good idea and long overdue.
[1:21:00]
However, what we see here is an abuse of
[1:21:04]
that idea. These should not be
[1:21:06]
considered as ADUs as they are
[1:21:08]
purpose-built three-unit multiplexes and
[1:21:12]
should face the same scrutiny as other
[1:21:14]
multiplexes with three or more units and
[1:21:17]
ensure that there is parking in the
[1:21:18]
rear. A six-unit semi- detached building
[1:21:22]
on a 14 meter lot will have 12 meters of
[1:21:25]
ashvault in front of it.
[1:21:28]
It'll be difficult to find a pla to find
[1:21:30]
a place to plant a tree in the boulevard
[1:21:33]
in front of these multiplexes because
[1:21:35]
it's all ashvalt. People moved into this
[1:21:38]
subdivision expecting more to look at
[1:21:40]
and than boulevards full of ashvault.
[1:21:42]
Meford should not let these people down.
[1:21:46]
The official plan calls for appropriate
[1:21:48]
parking. In this case, it should be
[1:21:50]
appropriate for what they are. Parking
[1:21:51]
in the rear for multiplexes of three or
[1:21:54]
more units. The online ads for this
[1:21:57]
builder show single driveways, only room
[1:22:00]
for one car in front of a single garage
[1:22:02]
on a single driveway. And yet they're
[1:22:05]
building something completely different.
[1:22:07]
Some would call this bait and switch.
[1:22:10]
The plan they provided for this meeting
[1:22:12]
was so blurry I had to ask for a clear
[1:22:15]
PDF copy.
[1:22:17]
When provided, I found the measurements
[1:22:19]
used did not match the lots. A semi-
[1:22:22]
detached building is shown on the plan
[1:22:25]
with a much wider frontage than a semi-
[1:22:27]
detached lot. It's shown on there as
[1:22:30]
being 8 mters. Half of a 14.3 meter uh
[1:22:34]
lot is 7.15.
[1:22:38]
So if you use the dimensions shown, the
[1:22:40]
building would not meet the sideyard
[1:22:42]
requirements.
[1:22:43]
Okay, this is just an example, but it's
[1:22:46]
deceiving. This has little to do with
[1:22:48]
driveways, but it might say something
[1:22:50]
about the differences in what you are
[1:22:52]
shown and what will be built.
[1:22:55]
By the way, the driveways are as wider
[1:22:58]
or wider than the buildings they're that
[1:23:00]
they're in front of. A building on the I
[1:23:03]
won't mention that. Um,
[1:23:07]
boulevards full of asshalt and cars at
[1:23:10]
the entrance of the subdivision will be
[1:23:12]
seen from Highway 26 and the western
[1:23:14]
entrance to Meford. Is this the luck
[1:23:17]
Meford wants? Ashfalted Boulevards full
[1:23:20]
of cars will not improve any resale
[1:23:22]
value of the properties that have
[1:23:23]
already been purchased. The plan of a
[1:23:26]
subdivision was approved and registered.
[1:23:28]
This is more than a minor vi variance.
[1:23:31]
It changes the streetscape of the main
[1:23:33]
entrance to this subdivision. Because it
[1:23:35]
is approved, another traffic study is
[1:23:38]
not needed. The park requirements do not
[1:23:40]
change and it is still a single entrance
[1:23:42]
subdivision despite having an additional
[1:23:45]
60 units and a lot more cars backing out
[1:23:48]
of driveways.
[1:23:50]
Newford does not have public
[1:23:51]
transportation so cars are needed. Most
[1:23:54]
families have two working members and
[1:23:56]
two cars to get to work. That is six
[1:23:59]
cars in that three-unit multiplex.
[1:24:04]
And where is the parking for guests?
[1:24:08]
Driveways that are 6 m wide will not
[1:24:10]
leave any room on that side of the
[1:24:12]
street for parking on the road. And
[1:24:14]
there's already very limited parking on
[1:24:16]
the other side. Existing homes on the
[1:24:19]
other side of the road will pay the
[1:24:20]
price for this and lose their extra road
[1:24:23]
parking.
[1:24:24]
That section 5.5B of the zoning bylaw
[1:24:27]
60-209 is valid. That requirement for
[1:24:31]
rear parking of multiplexes of three or
[1:24:34]
more units is protection to require
[1:24:37]
additional scrutiny to ensure that they
[1:24:40]
have as official plan says appropriate
[1:24:43]
parking not parking that changes the
[1:24:45]
whole streetscape of a main road into a
[1:24:48]
subdivision.
[1:24:50]
Ideas as significant as this should be a
[1:24:53]
part of the planning process, not an
[1:24:56]
afterthought where people have already
[1:24:57]
invested their future.
[1:25:00]
As I've mentioned, the parking for this
[1:25:02]
application should be considered for
[1:25:03]
what it is and and that is 30 three-unit
[1:25:07]
multiplexes requiring rear parking.
[1:25:10]
Thank you for the opportunity to present
[1:25:12]
this.
[1:25:15]
» Yes, sir. Please.
[1:25:22]
» My name is Roy Meredith from 219
[1:25:24]
Equality Drive. I just wonder if Michael
[1:25:26]
could put up the other drawing that
[1:25:28]
showed the the other parking on the
[1:25:30]
other side.
[1:25:35]
I know that uh it was mentioned that
[1:25:36]
there were 16 of these units. Um the
[1:25:39]
drawing I saw shows 26. I just want to
[1:25:42]
get clarification of how many there is
[1:25:43]
potentially that would be that could be
[1:25:46]
triplexes.
[1:25:48]
I believe it's 26 in total.
[1:25:52]
I wonder if I could get clarification on
[1:25:54]
that. It
[1:25:57]
it's it's my understanding that at the
[1:26:00]
moment, if I'm doing the math here,
[1:26:03]
slots 1 to 18,
[1:26:06]
23 to 26, and 94 to 97. So that's 18,
[1:26:12]
21, 24.
[1:26:14]
>> 24.
[1:26:15]
>> Yeah.
[1:26:15]
>> Okay. So, right there, it shows two on
[1:26:17]
that that uh on that um picture there.
[1:26:21]
So, there's going to be 24 of them.
[1:26:23]
that's going to have all those cars. So,
[1:26:25]
it's I know you guys were talking about
[1:26:27]
streetscape and we're very concerned
[1:26:28]
about it and and I just wanted to like
[1:26:31]
show you what it's going to look like
[1:26:32]
with all that parking that's going to be
[1:26:34]
allowed. I am going to cut I've got a
[1:26:37]
statement here. I'm going to cut it
[1:26:38]
short. I know a lot of questions have
[1:26:39]
been asked, but there's a few things
[1:26:40]
that I wanted to talk about that I was
[1:26:42]
I've talked to a lot of people and
[1:26:44]
they've been talking a lot about Bill 23
[1:26:46]
and how the feeling was that Bill 23 is
[1:26:49]
what's pushing this to happen and that
[1:26:51]
um like Bill 23 is to allow and support
[1:26:54]
gentle intensification. This is not
[1:26:56]
gentle. This is sudden
[1:27:00]
uh
[1:27:02]
intensification, not gentle.
[1:27:05]
And that bill 23, I know really it it
[1:27:08]
doesn't give developers a free pass. Um
[1:27:11]
it doesn't uh shift support of power to
[1:27:14]
the developers. You know, they still
[1:27:17]
have the authority and the duty to
[1:27:18]
decide where and how intensification
[1:27:20]
fits. You're not required to make
[1:27:23]
something fit that clearly doesn't.
[1:27:26]
You're not not looking to allow a square
[1:27:28]
peg in a round hole.
[1:27:30]
You can and you should insist on the
[1:27:32]
developments to to
[1:27:35]
respect local planning principles. And I
[1:27:37]
just want to talk lastly about section
[1:27:40]
45 of the planning act. I know it was
[1:27:43]
you guys did talk about it, but it's
[1:27:44]
true. It's this is not truly a minor uh
[1:27:47]
thing. It's it really is not it doesn't
[1:27:50]
maintain the intent of the zoning bylaw.
[1:27:52]
It doesn't conform to the official plan
[1:27:55]
and it's not appropriate for the land.
[1:27:58]
That's all I wanted to say. Thank you.
[1:28:00]
>> Thank you.
[1:28:02]
>> Um, Mr. Armstrong,
[1:28:06]
out of
[1:28:08]
all of the
[1:28:11]
dwellings that are have been built,
[1:28:15]
um, how many of them have single
[1:28:19]
driveways? So rather than something like
[1:28:21]
this where it's basically two cars can
[1:28:25]
be parked side by side.
[1:28:28]
>> I couldn't answer that. I'm not too
[1:28:29]
sure. Again, that comes down to the
[1:28:31]
building permit process um on how that
[1:28:34]
goes in. So I'm not too sure how much I know the town houses would be the
[1:28:39]
single cuz uh they're singles into the
[1:28:42]
garages, but I'm not sure of the the
[1:28:45]
singles the larger singles that were
[1:28:47]
sold off to another developer.
[1:28:48]
>> Yeah. um uplift of of the buildings that
[1:28:52]
Nortara has built.
[1:28:56]
>> I can speak to that. Um on our semi-
[1:28:58]
detached uh uh houses, we make the
[1:29:01]
driveway widths 3 m wide to match the
[1:29:04]
garage. If we were to have a twocar
[1:29:06]
garage, we'd make them 6 mters wide to
[1:29:08]
match the garage. Um but yeah, so for
[1:29:12]
the majority of the semis, the 3 m wide
[1:29:14]
driveway. Yeah. Thank you.
[1:29:22]
any
[1:29:28]
it we're going to give the online people
[1:29:30]
a chance first if I may.
[1:29:44]
Ryan Armstrong, if uh you are online and
[1:29:48]
wish to speak, could you unmute and go
[1:29:50]
ahead, please?
[1:29:58]
» Hi. Sorry. Can you hear me?
[1:30:01]
>> Yes, we can.
[1:30:02]
>> Okay. Hi. Um, yeah, I'm Bren Armstrong.
[1:30:05]
So, I'm also an owner of one of the town
[1:30:07]
houses on Equality Drive. Um, and yeah,
[1:30:11]
I'm just thinking about again like the
[1:30:13]
parking, the safety as mentioned, and
[1:30:16]
then mainly like looking across the
[1:30:18]
street and the view of just the parking
[1:30:21]
and minimal green space is kind of an
[1:30:24]
issue for me cuz like um Ron was saying,
[1:30:29]
I kind of bought the place originally to
[1:30:31]
move to Meford to move away from all the
[1:30:33]
traffic and whatnot and I was just
[1:30:36]
disappointed to hear when this was
[1:30:37]
happening and yeah, so I just wanted to
[1:30:39]
put in my two cents that I'm against
[1:30:41]
this as well.
[1:30:44]
>> Thank you.
[1:30:46]
>> Thanks.
[1:30:49]
» Uh Nicole, are you also online?
[1:30:58]
Yeah, you're still muted.
[1:31:06]
» Okay.
[1:31:07]
>> Sorry. Yeah, if you'd like to speak now,
[1:31:09]
please go ahead.
[1:31:12]
>> Hi, it's Nicole. Sorry about that.
[1:31:16]
>> That's okay. Please go ahead.
[1:31:18]
>> Um, hi. Um, so I'll be quick because I
[1:31:21]
know we've kind of touched base on
[1:31:22]
everything. My name is Nicole Moguli.
[1:31:25]
Um, so like everyone said, parking is
[1:31:30]
not the greatest. So I I just wanted to
[1:31:33]
mention just from the meeting the 24
[1:31:37]
lots that will be affected. They they
[1:31:39]
mentioned that the developer may ask for
[1:31:42]
more changes. So this might not be the
[1:31:45]
only ask. So, even if they sell all 24
[1:31:48]
lots, they might still continue to
[1:31:51]
continue rise up the questions on like
[1:31:54]
other lots that they haven't built yet
[1:31:56]
because like they said, they want to
[1:31:58]
sell off all the lots first and then
[1:32:00]
they're going to um and then they're
[1:32:03]
going to build more. So, once they do
[1:32:05]
build more, are they going to ask for
[1:32:06]
more of the zoning? So, that's something
[1:32:09]
that we should also consider down the
[1:32:12]
line.
[1:32:15]
Thank you.
[1:32:16]
>> Yeah, I agree with you, which is why we
[1:32:18]
asked the question, have they proceeded
[1:32:20]
with asking u for any changes? And
[1:32:24]
so, um, sorry for holding you up. If you
[1:32:28]
please go ahead. Thank you. Um,
[1:32:32]
uh, thank I'm not going to reiterate
[1:32:34]
everything.
[1:32:35]
>> Can you state your name first?
[1:32:36]
>> Oh, sure. My name's Reed Barrett. I'm
[1:32:38]
not a resident of uh the subdivision,
[1:32:41]
but I'm a long time longtime resident of
[1:32:43]
Meford. Um the purpose of me speaking
[1:32:47]
today is is not the personal interest,
[1:32:50]
but the long-term uh I want to avoid
[1:32:53]
sort of long-term issues for me. Uh
[1:32:56]
something that we have to pick up the
[1:32:58]
pieces because of a provincial
[1:33:00]
legislation or something that's happened
[1:33:02]
and we're going to pay the price of long
[1:33:04]
term. Uh if we can prevent that, I think
[1:33:07]
that would be great. And I think we've
[1:33:08]
heard a lot of good things, and I'm not
[1:33:10]
going to reiterate a lot of it. But um
[1:33:13]
uh additional dwelling units or ADUs
[1:33:16]
really work well in high density areas
[1:33:18]
like um Metro Toronto. And so I'm
[1:33:22]
certain that when the province
[1:33:24]
contemplated
[1:33:26]
um additional uh dwelling units um they
[1:33:31]
didn't think of the snow uh snow that
[1:33:34]
southern Georgian Bay gets and I think
[1:33:37]
Meford if they ever had a chance to uh
[1:33:40]
push back this would be the time. Um
[1:33:43]
when you think about um a community here
[1:33:46]
that doesn't have public transit, you
[1:33:48]
think about the school buses that have
[1:33:50]
to get in there, the garbage pickup and
[1:33:52]
the size of lot. This could be a real
[1:33:55]
challenge and might be a real mayhem for
[1:33:59]
several uh weeks in the winter. Um not
[1:34:02]
only that, but it's got one exit onto
[1:34:05]
26. So I think that you know the
[1:34:07]
additional cars is definitely a problem.
[1:34:09]
The other thing is that
[1:34:12]
um it is the gateway to our community.
[1:34:15]
So, uh as you drive past this, uh
[1:34:19]
subdivision, you don't want it to look
[1:34:20]
like a commuter lot or a park and fly.
[1:34:23]
This is, you know, it should be the
[1:34:26]
serene community of Meford that's on the
[1:34:29]
bay. And so I just want to say um I
[1:34:31]
think if we could limit some of the
[1:34:35]
issues before you know before it happens
[1:34:39]
it would be a really good thing for this
[1:34:41]
uh community. Thank you.
[1:34:43]
>> Thank you. Um, as I stated previously,
[1:34:47]
um, these decisions relative to ADUs
[1:34:50]
were not made by this committee. And I
[1:34:53]
would encourage you to, um, contact your
[1:34:57]
local counselor andor members of uh, the
[1:35:01]
municipality of Meford and address your
[1:35:03]
concerns, let them know. Um because
[1:35:06]
obviously with the growth um there's
[1:35:10]
going to be other developers that are
[1:35:12]
going to be looking to do relatively the
[1:35:15]
same thing as it relates to the one
[1:35:19]
entrance. Um I know that um the MTO
[1:35:24]
wants to limit the number of entrances
[1:35:27]
onto the highway. There is actually two
[1:35:30]
um but one is designated for emergency
[1:35:33]
purposes only. Um but I would think that
[1:35:36]
going forward in future um as the number
[1:35:40]
of units
[1:35:42]
builds in there um that there will be
[1:35:45]
more need for a secondary exit as well.
[1:35:50]
Is there anyone else that wishes to
[1:35:52]
speak? Certainly. Please.
[1:35:59]
» Yeah. Good afternoon. My name is uh Rick
[1:36:00]
Crouch. I do not live in uh Meford, but
[1:36:03]
my uh my son is one of the residents on
[1:36:05]
Equality Drive and he is one of the uh advocates that has written a letter.
[1:36:10]
So, I'm I'm not going to address some of
[1:36:12]
the things he's covered over. In the
[1:36:14]
interest of full disclosure, I am a real
[1:36:15]
estate broker. I'm with Southern
[1:36:17]
International Realy and uh one of my
[1:36:19]
colleagues, Matthew Lid Better, is the
[1:36:21]
agent for Lonall Development. I have no
[1:36:23]
involvement with Loon. I have no
[1:36:25]
involvement with uh any financial gain
[1:36:28]
from from this subdivision nor from my uh son and his wife's purchase. But
[1:36:32]
you know just to address you know some
[1:36:34]
of the issues outside some of the norms.
[1:36:36]
Somebody on the committee mentioned you
[1:36:37]
know that this seemed like it was not a
[1:36:39]
minor variance to start with this is not
[1:36:41]
a minor circumstance. All of the
[1:36:44]
homeowners in there typically bought
[1:36:46]
their properties through Loonall
[1:36:47]
Development who owned all the properties
[1:36:49]
across the road. The game plan has
[1:36:52]
changed. Loon call elected to sell those
[1:36:54]
properties to Nortara. Nortara, you
[1:36:58]
know, has has started to build in the
[1:37:00]
area. I commend them for that. Um, but
[1:37:02]
now the plan is let's let's let's change
[1:37:05]
the plan again going from single family
[1:37:08]
uh residential semi- detached homes to
[1:37:12]
multi-units. Uh, and you know, again,
[1:37:15]
that was not what these people bought
[1:37:17]
their homes under the pretense of. So,
[1:37:20]
you know, there's no point in belaboring
[1:37:22]
what they've already addressed in terms
[1:37:23]
of parking and garbage and noise and
[1:37:25]
that sort of thing. But I think as as
[1:37:28]
Mr. Bear said, it really speaks, I
[1:37:30]
think, to a couple things. Uh, one, you
[1:37:33]
know, the the basic complexion of of
[1:37:36]
meford, the town itself. I've read a lot
[1:37:38]
of the correspondence that was supplied
[1:37:40]
to me by my son, both from uh the
[1:37:43]
planning department as well as Sue
[1:37:44]
Travis and associates. Nowhere did
[1:37:47]
anything mention affordable housing. All
[1:37:51]
of the information I saw was addressing
[1:37:53]
investor buyers. Those are not who the
[1:37:56]
these people thought were going to be
[1:37:58]
their neighbors across the road. You
[1:38:00]
know, from the standpoint of the real
[1:38:02]
estate market. It has changed
[1:38:03]
dramatically in the last two years. And
[1:38:05]
I've been in the business here for
[1:38:07]
almost 25 years. And I cover from meford
[1:38:09]
right through town of Blue Mountains,
[1:38:10]
Colliewood, Clear View Township over to
[1:38:12]
Wasa Beach. Right now, we have the
[1:38:14]
highest level of MLS listings on our MLS
[1:38:17]
system that we've had since 2015, 2016.
[1:38:21]
So, my question is, there's been no
[1:38:24]
mention of these addressing the issue of
[1:38:26]
affordable housing. There has been a
[1:38:28]
real shift in the market, and this seems
[1:38:30]
to be more of a of a a request that's
[1:38:34]
being put forward, I think, to address,
[1:38:36]
you know, the fact that demand is down.
[1:38:39]
In fact, it's reaching out now to
[1:38:41]
different buyers, investor buyers, and I
[1:38:44]
think they're few and far between. I was
[1:38:46]
out last weekend showing clients uh
[1:38:48]
duplex, single detached uh and semi-
[1:38:52]
detached houses in Collingwood last
[1:38:54]
weekend. They're very unckempt. They're
[1:38:56]
rented out. The tenants don't cut the
[1:38:58]
grass. You know, the garbage cans are
[1:39:01]
out in full view of the street. And when
[1:39:04]
I read the the various reports how none
[1:39:06]
of this was going to change the
[1:39:07]
complexion of the street, I can argue
[1:39:10]
quite differently. And I think that's
[1:39:11]
something the committee really has to
[1:39:13]
think long and hard about regardless of
[1:39:16]
whether it's addressing what the
[1:39:18]
provincial legislation is. You know,
[1:39:19]
you've really got to think about the
[1:39:21]
existing home orders and what you want
[1:39:23]
the municipality to look like and is
[1:39:25]
this going to drive and address the
[1:39:27]
affordable out of housing issue in
[1:39:29]
Meford? To me, the answer is no, it's
[1:39:31]
not.
[1:39:33]
I did consider exactly your point that
[1:39:37]
um is this going to be a
[1:39:40]
multi-generational family that moves
[1:39:42]
into this and you know they have their
[1:39:44]
in-law suite and so forth as opposed to
[1:39:48]
how many people will buy it with the
[1:39:50]
intention of rental of all or
[1:39:55]
some of the units. So I understand your
[1:39:58]
concerns. Thank you. Is there anyone
[1:40:00]
else that wishes to speak?
[1:40:04]
No.
[1:40:07]
Any member of the committee have any
[1:40:09]
additional comments, questions? Yes. Uh
[1:40:12]
Mr. Chairman through the gentleman in
[1:40:14]
the hat that made the final
[1:40:16]
presentation. Um and I'm sorry I forgot
[1:40:18]
to write your name down. I got everybody
[1:40:19]
else. Um your last three points on your
[1:40:23]
presentation. I wonder if you would go
[1:40:26]
to the mic and repeat those and then I'd
[1:40:29]
like staff to respond to those. The last
[1:40:33]
three comments they have made
[1:40:40]
section 45 act was right at the end of
[1:40:44]
this presentation
[1:40:48]
that one of the comments was that it
[1:40:50]
didn't uh adhere to the official plan.
[1:40:57]
» Yes. Yes.
[1:41:00]
» Okay. Yeah, probably talking I guess I
[1:41:03]
was talking about uh section 45 of the
[1:41:04]
planning act talking about how uh in
[1:41:07]
order to you know for the parking
[1:41:09]
variance it must meet the following
[1:41:10]
criteria uh be truly minor and in this
[1:41:14]
case we've all everyone's in agreement
[1:41:16]
that it's not maintain the intent of
[1:41:19]
zoning bylaw and it doesn't that's why
[1:41:22]
the variance is being requested uh
[1:41:24]
conform to the uh with the official plan
[1:41:28]
uh which it does not the plan was for
[1:41:29]
single family community and be
[1:41:31]
appropriate uh for the land. And it and
[1:41:34]
it it isn't uh it changes the nature of
[1:41:37]
the street and the community.
[1:41:39]
Was that was that it?
[1:41:42]
I talked about uh um fitting a square
[1:41:46]
peg in a round hole. Uh a few times I do
[1:41:49]
that. I have to apologize because I had
[1:41:50]
a statement and I know that a lot of the
[1:41:52]
points were covered. I didn't want to
[1:41:53]
repeat them and repeat them again. So, I
[1:41:55]
kind of jumped in the middle, but I
[1:41:56]
talked about um Bill 23 and that um uh
[1:42:01]
Bill 23, I know that people I've talked
[1:42:03]
to have said that it's almost like it's
[1:42:04]
being pushed upon communities, Bill 23,
[1:42:07]
to follow suit, but really um it doesn't
[1:42:11]
give the developers a free pass and it
[1:42:14]
doesn't shift the balance of power to
[1:42:15]
the developers that um that it's still
[1:42:19]
with the municipalities and they have
[1:42:21]
the authority and the duty to decide
[1:42:22]
what and how intens in intensific
[1:42:24]
ification will fit and they're not
[1:42:26]
required to make something fit that
[1:42:28]
clearly doesn't and that you don't have
[1:42:30]
to allow and I said it again a square
[1:42:32]
peg in a round hole and uh yeah and and
[1:42:37]
it must follow the it must the respect
[1:42:39]
for local planning principles protect
[1:42:41]
green space and environment
[1:42:45]
avoid overburdening uh infrastructure
[1:42:48]
and reflect the safety and character of
[1:42:50]
the community
[1:42:53]
>> yeah I'm not trying to cut you off. It
[1:42:54]
was it was right at the end of your
[1:42:56]
presentation and I thought you'd made a
[1:42:58]
comment in there that it didn't
[1:43:00]
>> follow the official uh the the town's
[1:43:03]
official plan.
[1:43:05]
>> Okay.
[1:43:06]
>> Um yeah, so that's
[1:43:08]
>> you were jumping around. It may not may
[1:43:10]
not have been. So
[1:43:11]
>> yeah, sorry. But that's yeah, I had a
[1:43:13]
really nice story at the end I was going
[1:43:14]
to tell, but I
[1:43:20]
» Michael, because your initial
[1:43:23]
presentation um addressed some of that
[1:43:26]
relative to the official plan and so
[1:43:29]
forth, um perhaps you could reiterate
[1:43:31]
it.
[1:43:33]
>> Yeah. So it's staff's interpretation is
[1:43:35]
that this variance is in line with the
[1:43:37]
intent and purposes of the official
[1:43:39]
plan. The official plan designation for
[1:43:41]
this area is urban residential area.
[1:43:43]
It's meant to be a place that is the
[1:43:45]
most densified area of the municipality
[1:43:48]
and it's also meant to be a place where
[1:43:50]
just where residential uh residential
[1:43:53]
uses are allowed. Uh so a driveway for a
[1:43:57]
residential use is considered in line
[1:44:00]
with the intent and purpose of the
[1:44:01]
official plan. I can go through the rest
[1:44:03]
of the four tests if you'd Okay.
[1:44:06]
>> Any other comments or questions?
[1:44:09]
>> Yes, Denise.
[1:44:11]
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was just going
[1:44:13]
to I only ended up writing down one
[1:44:16]
question to answer at the end, which I
[1:44:18]
I'd suggested we answer at the end and
[1:44:19]
it was about whether there was walking
[1:44:21]
biking permitted on Highway 26. But I
[1:44:23]
was hoping to answer any questions at
[1:44:25]
the end when we wrap up so that we're
[1:44:27]
not in a back and forth situation. If
[1:44:29]
you can think of any other outstanding
[1:44:31]
questions, um we're happy to answer
[1:44:33]
those. And then we also had a proposed
[1:44:36]
um additional condition that we were we
[1:44:38]
were going to suggest that might help
[1:44:41]
facilitate some of the uh resolution of
[1:44:44]
issues. But so the question was about
[1:44:46]
whether there's biking or hiking
[1:44:47]
permitted on or biking or walking on on
[1:44:49]
Highway 26. Obviously, I don't suggest
[1:44:52]
people should walk on Highway 26 without
[1:44:55]
a sidewalk. And we would identify that
[1:44:58]
definitely sidewalks are the preferred
[1:45:00]
method of people to to walk, but biking
[1:45:02]
is permitted on Highway 26. It's not a a
[1:45:05]
400 series highway. Um, but I think the
[1:45:08]
point is well taken that we know that we
[1:45:10]
need to provide for pedestrian access.
[1:45:12]
Um, however, I think I just want to
[1:45:14]
reiterate that the question about
[1:45:16]
whether we're permitting three units
[1:45:18]
here is the main topic of the concerns
[1:45:21]
I've heard with whether this is a good
[1:45:23]
idea. It's too dense. There's, you know,
[1:45:25]
concerns about safety of people walking
[1:45:27]
because there's so many units. But we
[1:45:29]
have to remember that's not the question
[1:45:31]
before the committee. It is about
[1:45:32]
whether or not it can be the parking can
[1:45:34]
be in the front yard. Um, because of
[1:45:37]
that, we had a condition that we thought
[1:45:39]
might help satisfy some of that. if
[1:45:42]
you'd like us to propose that.
[1:45:43]
>> I I think because the committee has a
[1:45:47]
has seen the suggested decision, we will
[1:45:50]
take a vote on that first and then look
[1:45:53]
at potential if that does not pass, we
[1:45:56]
will look at potential addendums to that
[1:45:58]
motion time.
[1:46:02]
So Haley, can you please read the
[1:46:04]
suggested decision and conditions?
[1:46:08]
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So the recommended
[1:46:10]
decision is that the committee of
[1:46:12]
adjustment to improve minor variance A07
[1:46:15]
2025 for the lens at lots 1 to 18 23 to
[1:46:20]
26 and 94 to 97 plan 60mm-89
[1:46:26]
providing relief from the parking
[1:46:28]
requirements of section 5.5B of zoning
[1:46:31]
bylaw 60209
[1:46:34]
to permit a building with three or more
[1:46:37]
dwelling units to allow parking in the
[1:46:39]
front yard. As Denise mentioned,
[1:46:42]
conditions are to be determined by
[1:46:44]
staff.
[1:46:48]
» May I have a motion
[1:46:53]
» to on the decision as read? I need a
[1:46:57]
mover in a seconder before we can vote
[1:46:58]
on it.
[1:47:00]
>> Okay, I'll move it.
[1:47:01]
>> Seconded.
[1:47:05]
» We can't vote on it until I get a
[1:47:07]
seconder.
[1:47:09]
Well, I'll second.
[1:47:10]
>> Thank you.
[1:47:12]
Is there any discussion on the motion?
[1:47:17]
I I would like to add a further
[1:47:20]
condition because one of the concerns
[1:47:21]
that I have is that um there would be a
[1:47:28]
an attempt by some of the owners in
[1:47:31]
these new units to even widen the
[1:47:35]
driveway further. and basically take
[1:47:38]
away any green space that's left. And
[1:47:41]
technically, um, you could squeeze in a
[1:47:44]
another single car driveway. So, I would
[1:47:47]
like to propose that there must be a
[1:47:51]
minimum
[1:47:52]
because I looked at basically the
[1:47:55]
numbers. Um, the driveways would take
[1:47:58]
approximately 60% of the frontage. Um, I
[1:48:02]
would like to see a minimum standard of
[1:48:05]
35%
[1:48:07]
um a green space
[1:48:10]
on the lot.
[1:48:14]
Is there any discussion on that
[1:48:18]
amendment?
[1:48:21]
We can vote on the original one first
[1:48:23]
and then just
[1:48:26]
>> I think that would be
[1:48:27]
>> okay. So, um all in favor of the
[1:48:30]
original
[1:48:32]
motion as read.
[1:48:35]
All opposed.
[1:48:37]
That motion is defeated.
[1:48:42]
Given the addendum, uh would anyone like
[1:48:44]
to discuss that further?
[1:48:47]
>> Yeah, through you, Mr. Chair. Are you
[1:48:49]
talking 35% of the entire lot?
[1:48:51]
>> 35% of the front yard.
[1:48:54]
>> Of the front yard.
[1:48:59]
» The the width.
[1:49:03]
>> Yeah. Front yard. Yeah.
[1:49:12]
Any additional comments? Anything from
[1:49:16]
the planning staff is because I know
[1:49:19]
that's one of the considerations that
[1:49:21]
you're going through.
[1:49:22]
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So the one thing
[1:49:25]
we and we did discuss this potential
[1:49:27]
with the um the applicant as well and
[1:49:29]
they were amendable to a minimum
[1:49:31]
requirement but when we were measuring
[1:49:33]
it it looks like to meet two parking
[1:49:36]
space widths which would be um it would
[1:49:39]
end up being slightly less than the 6 m
[1:49:42]
driveway. So I know um that we heard
[1:49:46]
already that a typical double driveway
[1:49:47]
is 6 mters. So, in order to meet the
[1:49:50]
very minimum of a parking space, which
[1:49:52]
is 2.7 m wide, it would be a 4 point or
[1:49:57]
a 5.4 m wide driveway, at least at the
[1:50:00]
property line. So, what I'm wondering is
[1:50:04]
it would be probably to get a double
[1:50:06]
driveway plus the green space that
[1:50:08]
you're talking about, it would be
[1:50:09]
probably closer to 32%.
[1:50:11]
Um, something like that. It would be 8 m
[1:50:14]
wide lot with um 5.4 4 m for the
[1:50:19]
driveway and then the remainder the 2.6
[1:50:22]
m for a green space and then if that is
[1:50:26]
added with the adjacent lot that'll be
[1:50:29]
um quite a bit more. So it will be
[1:50:32]
consolidium and that would make a
[1:50:34]
difference for the semis um for a single
[1:50:37]
if they chose to go with the single
[1:50:38]
which they haven't shown us in these
[1:50:40]
drawings today but if they were doing
[1:50:42]
that it would look a little bit
[1:50:43]
different. So, you're proposing that it
[1:50:45]
would be 38%.
[1:50:47]
>> 32
[1:50:50]
>> I think. Um, we'd actually spoken to the
[1:50:52]
developer about 30 and 70. So, 70%
[1:50:55]
driveway 30% which they've said they
[1:50:58]
would be okay with. Um, it's certainly a
[1:51:00]
cleaner approach, which is a more than
[1:51:03]
the minimum. Now, we don't have a
[1:51:04]
minimum size open space in our zoning
[1:51:07]
bylaw. Um, but it would prevent the
[1:51:10]
situation that you're speaking about,
[1:51:11]
Mr. chair which is where they realize
[1:51:13]
they need even more space and then they
[1:51:15]
decide to pave more. Um this would give
[1:51:18]
some open space requirement at minimum.
[1:51:21]
>> Yes.
[1:51:24]
So so yes Mr. Chair through you it
[1:51:27]
would be 30% would be landscaped open
[1:51:30]
space and 70% driveway
[1:51:33]
>> and that would prevent them from
[1:51:36]
essentially
[1:51:37]
paving over the entire front yard and or
[1:51:40]
moving parking their vehicles on there,
[1:51:43]
which in the winter time is a real
[1:51:45]
concern obviously because there's no
[1:51:47]
overnight parking.
[1:51:50]
Any additional comments from Penny?
[1:51:57]
May I have a mover and a seconder on
[1:52:01]
that motion that that there be a minimum
[1:52:03]
of 30% written space?
[1:52:10]
30
[1:52:14]
motion
[1:52:17]
and a seconder.
[1:52:23]
» Okay. All in favor?
[1:52:28]
That motion is also defeated.
[1:52:31]
Is there any changes to this variance
[1:52:35]
request
[1:52:37]
um that would meet the acceptability of
[1:52:41]
the committee members?
[1:52:46]
» Not.
[1:52:47]
>> Then may I have a motion to refuse the
[1:52:50]
varants as requested?
[1:52:53]
May I have a mover and a second Peter
[1:52:56]
and David?
[1:52:58]
All in favor of the motion to refuse
[1:53:02]
this variance.
[1:53:04]
That motion is carried.
[1:53:13]
So as of now um that is not approved. Um
[1:53:19]
understandably
[1:53:21]
um there is a right to appeal going
[1:53:24]
forward.
[1:53:27]
Thank you everyone.
[1:53:43]
» That's a refusal.
[1:53:44]
>> Yeah.
[1:53:47]
And
[1:53:51]
>> Yeah.
[1:53:56]
Is there any additional new business?
[1:54:01]
Then may I have a motion to adjourn this
[1:54:04]
meeting? Peter and David, this mo
[1:54:07]
meeting is officially a date for the
[1:54:09]
next one.
[1:54:10]
>> Um it's sometime in September 24th.
[1:54:14]
>> September 24th.
[1:54:16]
>> Thank you.
[1:54:17]
>> And there's one file.
[1:54:18]
>> All right. Thank you everyone.