Committee of Adjustment

1:19Good afternoon, Guelph. I'd like to call to order the September 14th, 2023 hearing of the Guelph Committee of Adjustment.

1:26This hearing is being held in a hybrid format with attendees appearing in person or remotely and is being live-streamed and recorded.

1:35Please be advised that public hearings form part of the public record and words, names, or images of those participating shall be recorded and posted online.

1:46I've confirmed with the Secretary-Treasurer that we have quorum to proceed today.

1:50Before I outline the hearing format, I wish to speak to an application that is listed on the agenda and have not submitted a request in advance of the hearing.

2:00Please call the number displayed on the screen, which is 519-822-1260.

2:08That's 519-822-1260 and the extension is 2524. The extension again, 2524.

2:18And you will receive instructions at that time on how to participate.

2:22A final call for delegates will be made when each application is called.

2:28The agenda for this hearing has been posted online at guelph.ca forward slash cofa.

2:35I remind all committee members and staff participating in the hearing to please mute your microphones when not in use.

2:42Applicants will be unmuted when their application is called.

2:46I'd also like to share the hearing format we'll be using to navigate today through each application.

2:53Each applicant will be called by the Secretary-Treasurer and the call-in number for those wishing to speak to an application will be displayed on the screen.

3:02Afterwards, the applicant will be given an opportunity to add anything further to their application to a maximum of 10 minutes.

3:11You will hear a chime when there is 30 seconds left in that 10 minutes and another at the end of 10 minutes once it's expired.

3:20If you are the applicant and you have nothing further to add, you can simply say so.

3:26The committee will then be able to ask questions of the applicant or staff.

3:32After that portion, we will hear from members of the public who wish to comment on the application.

3:37Please note that all comments should be addressed through myself, the chair.

3:41Please avoid repeating concerns already stated by others and focus on adding new information.

3:49Comments are limited to 10 minutes or less.

3:53And again, you will hear a chime when there is 30 seconds left and another when the 10 minute time has expired.

4:00Any members of the public who have submitted a request to speak prior to the hearing will be the first invited to provide comments.

4:08For those watching the hearing online, if you wish to speak to an application and have not submitted a request in advance of the hearing,

4:16please call the number displayed on the screen at the present time.

4:21For those attending the hearing in person, you will also be given a chance to come forward to the podium and address the committee.

4:29Once all comments from the public have been heard, the applicant or staff will be given the opportunity to respond to comments.

4:37Finally, I will turn to the committee for emotion and deliberation, as well as a vote on the application.

4:43When the committee is making a decision on an application, the chair will be asking the secretary-treasurer to conduct a vote by roll call.

4:51Secretary-treasurer will call each of the members' name and each member shall respond if they are in favor or opposed to emotion, and I will announce the result of the vote.

5:02If you wish to receive a copy of the decision of an application, including information about the appeal procedure, you must submit a written request.

5:13A written request can be made by contacting staff using the contact information shown on the screen.

5:20To receive a copy of the decision, please email cofa at gwellf.ca with your name, the file number you're interested in.

5:31Please note that owners and applicants automatically receive a copy of this decision.

5:39At this moment, I will ask Member Pike to provide the First Nations acknowledgement. Member Pike.

5:46As we gather, we are reminded that Gwelf is situated on a treaty land that has steeped in rich indigenous history and home to many First Nations, Inuit and Mady people today.

5:57As a city, we have a responsibility for the stewardship of the land on which we live and work.

6:02Today, we acknowledge the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation of the Anishinaabek peoples on whose traditional territory we are meeting.

6:14Thank you, Member Pike.

6:18As we gather, we are reminded that Gwelf is located on a treaty land that has steeped in rich indigenous history and home to many First Nations, Inuit and Mady people today.

6:30At this moment, I will ask Member Pike to provide the First Nations acknowledgement.

6:37I will now move approval of the minutes.

6:42Member Hamilton, do I have a seconder? Member Goodfellow, all those in favor?

6:50That motion is carried.

6:53I've confirmed with the Secretary of Treasury we have not received any deferral or withdrawal requests.

6:58And at this point, I will turn it over to the Secretary of Treasury to announce the first application.

7:03Madam Secretary Treasurer.

7:08Thank you, Chair.

7:09We have one small change to the order of the agenda.

7:13As discussed with the Chair, we are going to proceed with the fee refund request first for file A34 slash 23 for 204 Elma Street North.

7:23Staff comments regarding this refund request have been outlined in the report and staff is happy to answer any questions that the committee may have.

7:34Thank you.

7:35Is the applicant present?

7:53Chair Smith, the applicants are in the video.

7:56They just need to turn their cameras on.

7:58Thank you.

8:03You're muted.

8:04And if you'd like to identify yourself for the committee, please.

8:09My name is Malcolm Carter.

8:14And are you the applicant?

8:17Yes.

8:18Thank you.

8:21And I'll ask the, I'll ask for committee if we have read the staff comments for, for refund and if we're in agreement, do we need an emotion for that, Secretary Treasurer?

8:44I'm going to entertain a motion for that refund member Hamilton.

8:53I'll move approval for that.

8:55And a seconder member Sayers.

8:59And I don't believe we need discussion on that.

9:05I'll call the question. All those in favor.

9:12I believe that's carried, Madam Secretary Treasurer.

9:21Mr. Carter, your application to have your fees refunded has been approved.

9:27Thank you.

9:28You're welcome. At this point, I'll turn the meeting over to the secretary treasurer to call our first application.

9:43The first application is a dash 34 slash 23 variances to permit reduced side yard setback and increased height for proposed additional residential dwelling unit within a separate building at 204 Alma Street North.

10:00I'll make a final note for those that wish to speak to this application. You can do so by calling the number displayed on the screen. That number is 519-822-1260 extension 2524.

10:13And when your call is received staff will provide instructions on how you can delegate remotely via phone.

10:21I see that Mr. Carter is here.

10:24Can you state your name once again for the record please and your association with the application.

10:35I believe you're still muted.

10:42Should we speak?

10:43Hi, sorry. Malcolm Carter. I'm one of the owners of the property and I am the applicant.

10:49The other speaker, other people speaking on behalf of this are also here, Colin Carter and Mike Gregory.

10:58Thank you.

10:59Can you tell me if the sign was posted as per the planning act?

11:04Yes, it was.

11:06Well, thank you. You have 10 minutes to address the committee.

11:12I think Colin would like to speak to that.

11:15Yes, we're just here to address the side setback for the unit. We understand that it doesn't meet the requirements right now.

11:30But just to reduce the carbon footprints.

11:34If we were to add an ADU to this address and tear down the existing building, it would, it would cause more of a carbon footprint for the city. So.

11:45We just think it would be easier to keep it within the existing building that's already there.

11:52And it would be less disruption for the neighbors.

11:58So, I think that's it for everybody.

12:10Do you have anything further to add or is that your, your summation?

12:16No, I think that's it. I think you have anything to say?

12:20I just coming in lately to the situation.

12:26I just want to add one more thing.

12:29I think the idea of a complete simplicity to put an ADU in the backyard of the home and just using existing skeletal structure is, is our, our base point.

12:44And we would like to go from there in accordance with the city.

12:48And I do all note as well that I did notice.

12:53There was a letter written by the next-door neighbor adjacent to this garage.

13:00I did have a verbal conversation with the gentleman and his wife several months ago when I was on site,

13:09and they were not opposed to any construction that was happening in or around that building.

13:16They acted as if it was our property, it's okay.

13:20So, I haven't went back, I haven't contacted them further,

13:27but I have had that verbal conversation with them as well.

13:35I neglected to ask you at the beginning, and I think it's appropriate before I open it up to

13:41my colleague. Did you read staff comments, and do you have any specific comments as to what staff

13:49recommended? Sorry, the staff comments just refer to existing

14:01various bylaws, and on this side yard setback, I just like to stress that this is a concrete

14:10block building, and if you actually look at the backyard, there is no fence between the garage

14:21and the neighboring property, as the neighbor has connected the joint fence to the garage.

14:32And even if there was a fence there, yes, it does make it difficult for maintenance,

14:39but it also just leads to a lot of overgrowth, vegetation, and stuff that can't be cleared.

14:45And I'd like to point out that that fact that the fence is a point, a patash of the garage,

14:51is neither on his title nor mine for the property at 204, and that the

14:59side yard setback is still greater than his side yard setback on his neighbor's property,

15:09although I do know he is a zone differently. He's in a, what do you call it?

15:17I don't know what you call it. He's in a combined townhouse, a semi-detached.

15:26Okay, thank you. If you want to stay right there, I'm going to

15:30see if my colleagues have any questions for you, so please stand by. Committee members,

15:35do you have any questions? Member Hamilton. Just a quick question for the applicants,

15:41is I, and again, I apologize if this is in there somewhere in your application, but is there anything

15:44that can be done to bring that height down a little bit? I understand that you can't do much

15:48with the side yard setback, but is there anything that, it doesn't seem like it's that much of a

15:52difference, five meters to the 4.75 houses? Yes, we are more than, yes, we are agreeable to bringing

16:01down the height to the height of the existing residential unit on the property. Thank you.

16:10Any other questions from committee? I do have a question, and that regards

16:26one of staff's comments about, but this could be in compliance with the

16:34structure to be moved. Do you have any comment about that?

16:41Well, I think Mike addressed that earlier, that if we were to move the structure, that's

16:47that's going to create a, they talked about the carbon footprint, but it will

16:55escalate costs, require higher rentals, and technically create more damage to the

17:04neighbor's property. Okay, thank you. Concrete block building. Okay. Thank you.

17:14Yeah, you have the demolition. It seems committee has asked the questions we need.

17:27Do we have any comment from staff? I see none. At this point, I'll turn to the committee for a

17:36motion. Chair Smith, I'll just confirm that we haven't received any delegation requests.

17:43Thank you. I was neglectful in my duty that way. Thank you. Yes. And I will ask again if there are

17:53any comments. Mr. Chair, at what point can committee members make a comment that's not a question?

18:01Sorry, can you repeat that? At what point can we make comments that aren't questions?

18:06So what we can do is if you have a comment, we will have to have a motion,

18:13and then we will address, we will have a discussion on the motion. Perfect. Okay.

18:20I was getting there. At this point, I'll entertain a motion. Committee members, what is, oh,

18:28I'm getting ahead of myself. If there are any members of the public,

18:34either in the audience or at home who would like to reference this. Seeing none in the audience,

18:44do we have any online? Chair Smith, I can confirm no delegation requests. Thank you.

18:50At this point, I will turn to my colleagues for a motion. Member Spears.

19:00I move that we accept the application with the proviso that the height, as the height restriction

19:07is in place that's been agreed to by the applicant and that is mentioned in the comments from staff.

19:15Thank you. Do we have a seconder? Member Klein. Committee members, any discussion?

19:22Yes, I do. I think that we get bound up by the side yard setback with these ARDUs and

19:34it will be a consistent problem. If we want to convert garages into units for people to live in,

19:43it's not going to go away. I just want to say that I'm in favor of this because I don't think we

19:48can make this problem go away. It just happens over and over again. Yes, I realize it's not in the

19:54bylaw, but the spirit of the thing is to get people in dwellings that are respectable and

19:59decent places to live. For that reason, I'm in favor.

20:04Thank you. Any follow-up discussion? Member Goodfellow.

20:13Yes, thank you through the chair. I've been thoughtful about the ARDUs and how we are

20:21considering them, considering these applications. I guess for this one, I had originally, back when

20:29it arrived here in June, I had been opposed to the application and I don't see anything that has

20:36changed here that would allow me to change how I view this and I want to make sure it's clear why

20:43I see that this one is different than some of the others that we have voted on.

20:48In particular, it's the distance, it's the privacy for me and that keeps coming up over and over.

20:55I understand that the intent of that 1.5 meter setback is to ensure privacy

21:01with the neighboring property and I think that's an important factor here as we are looking at

21:05increasing the density in our neighborhoods so that we can support additional housing.

21:10In this case, the distance to the neighbor appears to be about 15 feet. It's very tight. It is

21:16actually to a duplex as well, so there's already significant density in those properties.

21:23So for that reason, I will be opposing the motion. Thank you.

21:30Thank you, Member Goodfellow. Any other discussion?

21:34I'm going to echo some of my colleague's comment just now that I followed

21:42City Council's deliberation on this very carefully and that was at the setbacks,

21:48we're at the heart of their discussion. So in my estimation, this isn't minor nature in that I

21:54agree with City staff that this is not a minor variance. So I will also say that it's not necessarily

22:04in the best interest of the community if it is too close to the lot line. So I will not be supporting

22:11the motion. At this point, are there any other conversations or discussions?

22:18Chair Smith, if I can just add one point of clarification there. Since we do have that

22:23motion to approve on the floor, I'll just note for the committee's knowledge that in the staff

22:28comments, staff were recommending an additional condition if the committee was going to approve

22:34the application about an access and maintenance agreement. As well, there was some comments in

22:40the staff comments document about the necessity of the height variance. So I'm not sure if that's

22:47something that the committee wants to consider or staff might be able to address that for you.

22:52Well, I'll turn, thank you, Secretary Treasurer. I'll turn to the mover for that and see if the

22:58mover would be amenable to making those additional conditions. I can't say that I can tell you

23:08what they are verbatim, but I would, I am in favor of that. Yes. Thank you. And then I'll turn to the

23:16applicant if they would be in favor of those additional conditions. Those additional conditions

23:28being the limitation on the height to not exceed or to be less than or not exceed the

23:37height of the existing residential unit on the property, that's fine. As to the condition from

23:44building services, I think that an access and maintenance agreement be performed. I think that's

23:52pushing it a little. The maintenance that would be required on this, as I see from engineering,

23:59is just putting up a flame retardant over a concrete block. So if we have to go in there and put

24:08steel siding up or something, that's going to last forever. I don't think I really,

24:14it's really required to have anything put on title. So you are in agreement, if I can

24:22surmise, you're in agreement with condition one regarding the height, but you have questions

24:28regarding the access agreement? Yes. I think that's a little bit over the top, really. Thank you very much.

24:36Okay, committee members, we have a motion that has been amended. At this point,

24:43do we have any more discussion? Seeing none, I will turn it over to Madam Secretary Treasurer

24:51to call a quote. Thank you, Chair. Committee members, please indicate your vote on the motion

25:00on the application, which is to approve the application. And just for clarification,

25:04I'll go back to member Spears. You're recommending approval with the condition about the height.

25:11Are you including the condition about the access? Yes. Okay, you are including both. Okay. All right.

25:19Chair Smith. Opposed. Member Klein. Member Goodfellow. Opposed. Member Hamilton. In favor.

25:31Member Pike. Opposed. Member Seher. In favor. Member Spears. In favor. That's carried, Chair.

25:42Your application has been approved with the recommended conditions, and you're free to leave

25:49the meeting or stay for the rest of the excitement. Thank you very much, too. Well, thank you,

26:00everybody. And Madam Secretary Treasurer, may we have the next application? The next application

26:20is file a-57 slash 23, variance to permit reduced side yard setback for proposed additional residential

26:28dwelling unit within a separate building at 239 Liverpool Street. I'll note for those watching

26:33remotely, if you wish to speak to this application, you can do so by calling the number displayed on

26:38the screen. That number is 519-822-1260 extension 2524. And when you call in, staff will give you

26:45instructions on how you can delegate remotely. Is the applicant, yes, please come forward and

26:56speak at the microphone. You have a few minutes to address us. Can you state your name for the

27:04record, please? Yes, it's Bobby Rindawa. And was the sign posted as per the planning? Yes.

27:11And have you read staff's comments? Yes. And are you in agreement with staff's comments? No.

27:17Okay. That's a start. So you have 10 minutes to address the committee, and please make as much

27:24of that time available to yourself as you like. Thank you. Hello, everyone. My name is Bobby Rindawa,

27:31and my business, Ronaldo, we build accessory residential dwelling units in Guelph. First,

27:38I would like to thank the staff. Andrew, Trista, they've been great to work with on this application

27:44and previous applications. We believe our dues bring a lot of benefits to Guelph and a part of the

27:55solution to the housing crisis that's occurring. We can all agree the cost of housing and rentals

28:00are too high and there is not enough housing supply for everyone. I cannot think of a more

28:05economical and sustainable way of creating more housing than converting garages into apartments.

28:10Our proposal is to take a garage that was built to modern building code in 2011 that's proper

28:16footings and foundation and convert into one bedroom apartment. We're not adding onto the

28:21structure. The majority of the exterior will remain the same as its current state. No windows

28:26will be installed. Skylights will be added and the garage door will be converted to a door with

28:31sidelights. The majority of the work will be done on the interior. Can we please show pictures of the

28:39plan, current garage, and drawings? Just give me one moment. We'll get those drawings up for you.

29:06I'll keep going and then we'll get back to the drawings. If we did not already have a structure

29:12we would be building 1.5 meters from the lot line like previous projects. It's hard for me to understand

29:17that Guelph claims to care about sustainability but they recommend we knock down or move a building

29:24for three feet. So as you can see in the drawings we already have this garage that's built in 2011.

29:31It's two feet from the lot line. The bylaw wants it five feet. Can we go to the next picture

29:40of the garage as is currently? So that's the garage we're working with. As you can see it's

29:59well built. The roof, the bricks, the softest fascia, all is going to remain as is.

30:06And then if we can go the pictures to the garage from the side so we can see the neighbor sees.

30:11Perfect. So that's what the neighbor sees and once we're done our our do is going to be the

30:17exact same. We're not changing anything on the side. There's no, it's all going to be skylights.

30:26And then if we keep going I think I got pictures of perfect and then if we got a couple of drawings

30:32of what the apartment's going to look like. So these are some drawings I did about the

30:44apartment's going to look like. As you can see it's going to be very private for the neighbor

30:48and private for whoever uses the apartment. Potentially we could move the wood frame.

30:58However, we need to chip up and redo the concrete. That would have environmental cost over 5,000

31:04pounds of CO2. The cost to demo, excavate, pour new concrete, move the structure and redo landscaping

31:11would be more than $75,000. The two main issues highlighted by the planning department with the

31:18project are privacy and maintenance. Regarding privacy there are no windows other than the front

31:24door. All the natural light comes from four skylights. Since the structure is already built,

31:29finishing the interior space does not affect maintenance. It's already there.

31:35I've done two previous applications with the committee of adjustments.

31:38143 Lundestree West in 2022. We added a second story to a property that a two foot

31:48side yard that was approved. We did 77 foster in the spring of this year. It was for a third story

31:55addition with a side yard of two feet. That was also approved. This year privacy, maintenance,

32:01highlight on this project in my opinion is less significant than projects that were previously

32:08approved. I've watched a previous hearing on Speedville Avenue that got approved. We just saw

32:15Alma got approved. We are not adding onto our building. We are not having any windows and the

32:23neighbor has already spoken to and they are for the project. I understand the previous hearings

32:33have very close folks. I understand it was not the intensive council when they approved RDoS in

32:382020. They attended for garages to be knocked down or moved. I don't think they fully consider the

32:44environmental and economical cost. In 2020 the housing crisis is now what is now. In 2020 it was

32:51possible to rent a 700 square foot luxury apartment with a dishwasher in Sweet Laundry for $1,700.

32:58$1,700 now gets you 400 square foot bathroom apartment with cheap finishes, no dishwasher,

33:03and laundry is not even located in the building. The garage we're proposing to convert was built

33:08in 2011. It would be shame to not use it to create more housing that is mandated and that

33:13wealth desperately needs. The neighbors do not have an issue with the project. We've already

33:18applied for the permit. Everything has been approved other than this side yard issue. I hope

33:23you see the value in our project and the benefit of using its existing infrastructure to create

33:29more housing. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. If you want to rate weight right there

33:37we will see if there are any questions for you. Committee members, do we actually I will ask

33:43first if there are any members of the public who have anything to speak to on this motion on this

33:50request? Seeing none inside the chamber are there any on?

33:57Chair Smith, I can confirm no delegation requests. Thank you. Committee members,

34:02do you have questions of this applicant? Member Pike. Thank you, Chair and through you. This

34:13could be a joint question for building and for the applicant. Looking at the vinyl siding down

34:20the side of the garage, would we be looking for a fire barrier to be installed on that side as well?

34:31Through the chair to member Pike, I'm not a plans reviewer. I'm not an expert of the OBC

34:38but I do know that it's the distance to the property line, the side property line.

34:45Anything less than 1.2 meters requires a certain fire rating and then if it's

34:51increased to 0.6 meter setback, decreased, then it requires additional fire ratings

35:00as well and no windows are permitted less than 1.2 meters. So yes, that would be looked at through

35:07the building permit application. We did talk to Roger Vaughn. So we are using type X drywall which

35:17is a 45 minute fire rating. Thank you just because it was a condition on the previous application.

35:31Sorry, yeah, through the chair to member Pike. The access and maintenance agreement,

35:37that is requested only when a structure is less than 0.6 meters to the property line.

35:45Sorry, thank you. Member Goodfellow. Yes, through the chair probably to city staff.

35:55I'm not quite sure who will have the answer to this question but

35:59do you, does anybody have the information on how far the existing garage structure is from the

36:06neighbor's property or sorry from the neighbor's building? 0.65. Sorry, no, I meant their residence.

36:20Through the chair, we don't have the exact measurements for the distance between the

36:24garage and the neighboring property's structure. Through the chair, I did check on Google but

36:34of course it's a very imprecise measurement. Looked to be about 20 plus feet. I thought it was

36:38probably in the order 20 to 25 feet. So I just wondered if there was a more formal measurement

36:43that might be available for consideration but thank you. Thank you, Member Goodfellow. Any other

36:52members have questions of this applicant? Okay. And I don't believe we have anyone online at the

37:03moment. Okay, committee members, I'm at your pleasure. Do we have a motion to be entertained?

37:16Member Sayers. I move for approval of this application. Member Spears, are you seconding that?

37:24Okay, thank you. We have a motion before us. Do we have any discussion? Yes, Madam Secretary

37:35Treasurer, sorry. Chair Smith, I just wanted to note for a clarification there that in the

37:41staff comments, engineering services did recommend should the committee wish to approve this application,

37:48a condition regarding that the owner directs all downspouts to discharge at least 0.3 meters away

37:54from any adjacent properties. I'm just noting that in case the committee would like to include that as

37:59well. Thank you for pointing that out. I appreciate it. To Member Sayers who moved this, do you wish

38:07to add that? Yeah, I'll amend my motion to include that requirement. That's great. And I'll reach

38:17up to the applicant. Would that be acceptable to you? Yes. Thank you very much. So we'll go back

38:24to the comments. Are there any comments and discussion on the motion before us? Member Goodfellow.

38:34So, Mr. Chair, I want to make a comment here because I am actually in favor of this one,

38:43contrary to how I voted on the last one, and I want to make it clear why

38:47I feel there's a distinction here. It really, for me, comes down to the distance between the

38:53additional residential dwelling unit and the resident neighboring the property. In this case,

39:01it is a much greater distance by 10 plus feet. Also, the neighboring residence is a single family

39:09dwelling for my observation when I was visiting the site on quite a large lot. So when reviewing

39:15this file, I felt that the density in particular in this situation supported an additional residential

39:22dwelling unit where the prior application did not. Thank you. Thank you very much. Member Hamilton.

39:32Just a quick comment. I just want to say I think there's a difference between

39:35when an existing foundation is in place and when somebody is proposing just to build a

39:39whole new one in the side yard setback and understand that maybe staff is frustrated at

39:43seeing these be approved when the recommendation is for approval. But I'm in favor of the motion

39:49because I just don't see that the other options here are they tear this down and move it or go

39:55through a rezoning process, neither which are very economical and would probably result in the loss

40:00So that's why I'll be supporting motion.

40:04Thank you. And any other comments?

40:08I'll just add that I initially was somewhat opposed to this based on my comments in the last motion, but I've somewhat come around to that.

40:20My only comment is about the non combustible construction that probably has to take place and I'm sure that'll get picked up in the building permit process.

40:29So I will be supporting approval as well. Thank you.

40:34So at this point, I will turn it over to Madam Secretary treasure to call a vote.

40:39Thank you chair committee members, please indicate your vote by responding in favor or opposed to the motion, which is to approve the application with the one recommended condition.

40:50Chair Smith in favor member Klein member good fellow in favor member Hamilton in favor member Pike in favor member Sarah in favor and members Spears in favor.

41:08That's carried chair.

41:10Your application has been approved and you're free to leave the chamber. Thank you. Thank you guys.

41:15Madam Secretary treasurer may we have the next applicant.

41:30The next application is file a dash 58 slash 23 variants to permit increased fence fence height in front yard at 10 Eleanor court.

41:38I'll note for those watching remotely. If you wish to speak to this application, you can do so by calling the number displayed on the screen.

41:44The number is 5198221260 extension 2524. And when you call in staff will give you instructions on how you can delegate remotely via phone.

41:54Do we have the applicant in attendance. Yes, please approach the microphone. Welcome. Can you state your name for the record please.

42:11Yep. I'm Emily auntsie and I'm the owner of the property.

42:16I'm sorry you said you're the owner of the property and applicant. Okay. Thank you. And was the sign posted as per the planning act. Yes, it was. Thank you. And you have 10 minutes to address the committee.

42:30So I did review the comments and there will be a gate included. I didn't include that in the picture, but yes, there will be a gate unlocked. Excuse me. Just one second.

42:41Secretary treasurer I'm having trouble hearing this applicant. I don't know if that's I can lean in or we're we have new equipment. So I don't know if it's my old years or it's equipment.

42:52Okay. Yeah. So I have looked at the comments and agreed that there will be a gate on this fence to access the meters that will be unlocked.

43:02Thank you for picking up my flaw. And as I say you have 10 minutes to address the committee. I don't have anything further to add.

43:09Well, that's the same. Thank you. Members of the committee. Do we have any. Oh, are there any members of the audience who wish to address this application?

43:22And do we have anybody online?

43:25Chair Smith, I can confirm no delegations. Thank you. And committee members. Do we have any questions for this applicant seeing none? I will entertain a motion.

43:38Committee members. Do we have a motion?

43:39Member Hamilton. I'll move a permit with the condition. Is that with the recommended conditions? Yes. Yes. And did I see member Klein seconding it? Yes.

43:55So we have a an application. We have a motion on the floor. Do we have any discussion on this motion seeing none? Sorry, member Spears.

44:08I realize that I should have asked a question and now I want to make a comment. It's a question and it's about Electra.

44:15There's no representation from Electra. Is that true, Mr. Chair?

44:20Through the to the city. No, I don't believe there's any. I guess my question was why can't Electra move the meter?

44:31That would be great. I don't know. I mean, we have no control of this. I will certainly approve this, but I would. Yeah, I would fight hard to make the big bad electric meter.

44:41I would say that this will end up fencing the entire side back and other side. So there would be no part of the house that is not fenced in except the front after this.

44:55So that might I mean maybe on the front corner, but it would not be in an inconspicuous place if they moved it to where it wasn't fenced. Thank you.

45:05Okay, any other discussion on the motion seeing none, Madam Secretary Treasurer, would you call the vote?

45:19Thank you, Chair. Committee members, please indicate your vote on the application, which is to approve the application with the one recommended condition. Chair Smith.

45:30In favor. Member Klein. In favor.

45:33Member Goodfellow. In favor.

45:34Member Hamilton. In favor.

45:38Member Pike. In favor.

45:41Member Seher. In favor.

45:43And Member Spears. In favor.

45:45That's carried, Chair.

45:47Your application has been approved. Thank you and you're free to leave the chamber. Take care.

45:53Madam Secretary Treasurer, may we have the next application?

46:05The next application is file a-59-23, variance to permit reduced side yard setback for proposed second story addition to the rear of the existing dwelling at 55 Menzi Avenue.

46:19For those watching remotely who wish to speak to this application, you can do so by calling the number displayed on the screen. That number is 519-822-1260 extension 2524.

46:31And staff will give you instructions on how you can remote delegate remotely via phone.

46:35Is the applicant present? Please come forward to the podium. Welcome. Can you state your name for the record, please?

46:53My name is Mark Hovey.

46:55And are you the applicant?

46:57I am.

46:59Dis CT For the Momo-Dev.

47:03It was.

47:05Thank you. You have 10 minutes to address the committee.

47:07Just before I start. Could I ask somebody-

47:09To unmute-

47:12Sarah Gaspin, she's our engineering representative.

47:17She's been dealing with the building department and GRCA. So somebody could do that. I would appreciate it.

47:24have Sarah unmuted she just needs to turn on her video.

47:30Can you, I don't see.

47:35Welcome. Can you state your name please?

47:38Sarah Gassman.

47:40Thank you Sarah. We can see you now.

47:42So as I say, you have 10 minutes so.

47:46I'll just do a quick introduction and then I can step back as Sarah's been

47:49dealing with the building department but.

47:51Absolutely.

47:52My wife and I own the property.

47:54Her name is Angela.

47:56My son and his wife along with our two beautiful grandchildren living there for

48:00the last they've been there nine years and the kids have been there.

48:04I guess seven and three and really.

48:09It's a hundred year old building is a two story.

48:13And what we our goal is to just add two bedrooms on the there's a two story main

48:19building and then there's a kitchen that was added on in the 30s and our goal is

48:24just to add some two bedrooms on top of that kitchen area.

48:28Just so that my granddaughter and grandson can have their own bedroom space.

48:32I guess as they get to get older.

48:34So now I'll allow Sarah to speak.

48:39Do you want me to stay here or sit down?

48:41Yeah, if you want to wait right there and we can have your consultant address the committee.

48:47Please go ahead.

48:49OK, so as you can see from the site plan, our proposed second story addition will

48:55follow the existing line of the house on that side of the property.

49:01There are no windows in that side of the proposed addition.

49:06And we follow the one point two meter setback on the other side.

49:10It is just space prohibitive to set back four feet from that property line as well.

49:21Thank you.

49:22If you want to wait right there, I'll see if there's anyone in the chamber who has

49:26any questions, any members of the public wish to speak to this.

49:32Seeing none, Secretary Treasurer, do we have anyone on the line?

49:37Chair Smith, I can confirm no delegation requests.

49:40Seven. Thank you.

49:42Committee members, do you have any questions?

49:44Member Spears.

49:45Yes, sir. You, Mr.

49:46Chair, to the applicant,

49:49Electrum suggests a condition about moving some of the hydro lines.

49:55What kind of position does that put you in?

49:59I would have to review that because there are no poles in front of the building

50:03and all the construction that's involved, if you look at the over is at the rear of

50:07the building, so there'll be no change whatsoever to the front section of the

50:11two stories building itself.

50:13This is in the back area, but there's no poles.

50:17I don't know where it comes in from.

50:19I can look tonight, but I'm not sure what that means.

50:26So it's because the condition says prior to issues of building permit,

50:29the applicant make arrangements with ICI and layouts department.

50:33Wouldn't that happen as a matter of course?

50:37City staff could perhaps answer that.

50:41I think the poles on the other side of the

50:43or up the street more on the in front of the next one.

50:50If I may, I've reached out via email and I'm waiting to hear back from Electrum.

51:01Yeah, to the chair, that would be

51:04reviewed at building permit as well.

51:14Said answer your question.

51:15I think so.

51:15I'm trying to understand whether it's a condition of the application and I'm

51:20getting the sense that it doesn't need to be as the building permit process will

51:24will take care of it.

51:28I'm sorry.

51:29Was it who moved this?

51:32I've missed that.

51:34We don't have a mover yet.

51:36OK, so when we do have a motion, perhaps we can we can capture that as well.

51:45Any other questions of this applicant seeing none?

51:56At this point, we'll entertain a motion.

51:59Committee members, what is your prerogative member Spears?

52:07I move that we accept this application without conditions.

52:11Do we have a seconder member Hamilton at this point?

52:22Do we have any discussion on the motion on the floor?

52:27Remember good fellow.

52:29Through the chair, I think to sit city staff, I think this is raised a question for me.

52:35Are we going to miss anything here if we remove that condition?

52:39I don't think I have a clear answer at this stage, whether that condition can,

52:45in fact, be dealt with during the permitting stage.

52:48Thank you. Yeah, through the chair to member good fellow,

52:51I would still include it as a condition.

52:54They're asking for it prior to the issuance of the building permit.

52:58So I feel like they need to be satisfied prior to the permit being issued.

53:07And therefore, the condition should be included.

53:12OK, thank you to staff.

53:16Member Spears, do you have a question?

53:18Yes, I'm happy to amend my my proposal to to add the condition.

53:24OK, thank you.

53:25And I'll reach out.

53:28This has gone back a little bit back and forth.

53:31So I want to be clear if the applicant is all right with the approves of the commission

53:38condition. Absolutely.

53:49That's good. Any other discussion on this motion?

53:53Member Goodfellow.

53:55Through the chair, just for clarity,

53:57it does say for possible relocation of the existing overhead.

54:00So I think there's enough wiggle room there.

54:02But yeah, that was it.

54:04Thanks. Good discussion, colleagues.

54:10Do we have any other questions or comments, rather?

54:13Discussion seeing none.

54:15I will turn it over to Madam Secretary Treasurer for a vote.

54:20Thank you, chair, committee members.

54:22Please indicate your vote by responding in favor or opposed to the motion,

54:25which is to approve the application with the one electric condition.

54:30Chair Smith in favor, member Klein in favor,

54:34member Goodfellow in favor, member Hamilton in favor,

54:39member Pike in favor,

54:42member Sear in favor and member Spears in favor.

54:46That's carried, chair.

54:48Your application has been approved.

54:50We're free to go.

54:51Thank you.

54:57Madam Secretary Treasurer, may we have the next applicant?

55:06The next application is a dash 60 slash 23

55:11variance to permit reduced front yard setback and location for proposed

55:15driveway at 32 Norwich Street West.

55:18I'll also note for the committee's

55:21records that Correspondence was received after the comment deadline from Don Casey,

55:27resident on Norwich Street West in support of the application.

55:31We also received correspondence and photos from the agent, Phil McFadden,

55:37that were circulated to the committee members as well.

55:42Is the applicant present?

55:44Please come forward to the podium.

55:59Good afternoon.

56:00Can you state your name and your relationship to this application?

56:03Yeah, my name is Phil McFadden.

56:05I am the applicant for this file.

56:09And can you tell me if the sign was posted as per the planning?

56:12Yes, it was.

56:13Thank you. You have 10 minutes to address the committee.

56:18Good evening, committee.

56:20So staff has other than planning, we seem to have support to move forward with this.

56:28Planning staff has raised concern on two items with the application.

56:34And I would like to speak to that when I'm done speaking, actually,

56:37the owner of the building, Mike, would also like to have a quick word.

56:42So Norwich Street, as it exists,

56:49most of the...

56:51Read my mind.

56:52OK, so most of these properties on Norwich Street,

56:56the property line is actually quite close to the front of the building.

57:00The reason for this is typical street design is set at about one chain or 66

57:07feet wide. Norwich Street is set at 1.5 chains or 99 feet in width.

57:13This makes the front yard setbacks of nearly every home on the street quite close

57:18to the front of the building.

57:19The image that you have up in front of you now shows these...

57:24The Google marker is the location of the site we're talking about.

57:28And then these purple dots are

57:31existing homes on the street with the same condition of what we're looking to do.

57:37So

57:39parking on Norwich between Dublin and Norfolk Street can get pretty busy.

57:46Pardon me.

57:49I think people make a habit of parking down here and then walking into the downtown

57:53core. So what you'll find is a lot of rental properties.

57:58This is a mix, I would say, of

58:01residential homeowners who are living in their homes, as well as

58:06properties that are being rented out that may have multi unit dwellings.

58:11So parking as it is is tight.

58:14This semi or this duplex that exists,

58:1732 Norwich Street actually has an adjacent unit with the same condition

58:23that we're proposing is to install this parking stall off street parking.

58:29And it does stand a reason that this would be a minor request.

58:35So with the condition of the street as it is,

58:40nearly all of well, all of these houses that are shown in purple here are all

58:44existing with this condition where the largest component of parking is on the

58:50public side of the right of way.

58:52So my understanding is that none of these have legal

58:56encroachment agreements in place, but the condition exists that we're looking for

59:01right now as well, where any off street parking is actually taking place again on

59:06the primarily public side.

59:08If we could show photo ends in 3059.

59:14Perfect.

59:16This is sort of a typical

59:18midday on Norwich Street.

59:21Parking is anywhere in between every

59:25curb cut is full of cars both ways.

59:28If you could pull up the next photo there, I think is three to nine.

59:33It's a little further back.

59:34The yellow building is the property that we're speaking about now.

59:38You can just see on the right side of the photo,

59:40the parking stall or the access to parking on their side that exists.

59:45So we submitted some some documents and some photos as well as the support from a

59:52resident nearby.

59:53We do feel that this is a minor,

59:57very minor ask as far as a minor variance goes.

1:00:02It has little to no impact on the streetscape actually has a net benefit in that.

1:00:09We can get at least one car off the street and it would allow in a pinch the tenants

1:00:14that are renting the unit a place for some visitor parking.

1:00:19Just quickly before I let Mike say anything before there may be any questions here.

1:00:26Twenty eight Norwich right next door had a large

1:00:30application, this is a new construction that you can see here with many minor

1:00:35variances or a handful, I think three minor variances that needed to be approved

1:00:38to allow to be built.

1:00:40It seemed to have been sort of pushed through quite easily

1:00:44with not much pushback on these minor variances

1:00:48without really any request for a traffic impact study to see how many more vehicles

1:00:52or how many more people would be on the street and how that might negatively impact

1:00:56the existing tenants of the neighborhood.

1:01:00This is an old neighborhood and like you'll hear in a minute here,

1:01:04Mike has owned this building for quite a few years.

1:01:06They've had only a handful of tenants and the reason for the request is to provide

1:01:12an overall better enjoyment of the property by tenants,

1:01:16giving them a place to park at the end of every day without having to possibly walk

1:01:21from the end of the street in the middle of the winter.

1:01:24It betters the use of the neighborhood,

1:01:27whereas I mean, we're getting a little bit of pushback here.

1:01:31If I was to look next door, a lot of things got pushed through quite easily to say that

1:01:35that would benefit the neighborhood and we do need housing.

1:01:37That's that's a big part of the conversation.

1:01:40But parking seems.

1:01:43Also like a hot button topic right now,

1:01:45but this is this is fairly important for the use of this unit.

1:01:48It seems reasonable.

1:01:49It's in keeping with the fabric of the neighborhood and we would seek approval.

1:01:56Thank you. And did you have a consultant or a colleague who was going to speak to this as well?

1:02:01The part of me, the owner, Mike would like to speak with us.

1:02:04OK, and that will be part of your 10 minutes.

1:02:06If you'd like to approach the podium, please.

1:02:14Welcome, as I said, this is part of your 10 minutes.

1:02:16If you can just say your name for the record.

1:02:19Yeah, my name is Michael Thompson.

1:02:21I'm the property owner with my wife, Annemarie Benko.

1:02:25We purchased a property about 12 years ago.

1:02:28We lived in it for two years and experienced the frustrations of having to park next

1:02:34street over or kind of getting plowed in during the winter.

1:02:39And we just think that we love the downtown.

1:02:42We moved from this residence to another location on Birmingham Street downtown.

1:02:47And we've just moved again to Harrison Street in the core.

1:02:51We think the adding of the parking space

1:02:54will is a worthy improvement to the property.

1:02:57And it is literally the only thing that our tenants ever ask us for is to seek

1:03:03an off street parking stall to save them the frustration of digging out in the

1:03:09winter when they get plowed in by parking on the street.

1:03:13Make sure they don't have to walk at the end of a long day coming back from work,

1:03:17you know, put their garbage cans at the foot of a curb cut rather than having

1:03:23that get blocked in by a car they weren't expecting and not get their garbage picked up.

1:03:28So, you know, simple things in life.

1:03:31But, you know, we really love the property.

1:03:35I think it's a worthy improvement and would would seek your approval today.

1:03:43Thank you. I appreciate you being

1:03:46concise and within the 10 minutes.

1:03:49And if you want to wait right there, I'm going to ask the audience,

1:03:54if there is anyone here who would like to speak to this application.

1:04:00I don't see anyone jumping at the chance.

1:04:04Secretary Treasurer, do we have any online?

1:04:08Chair Smith, I can confirm no delegation requests have been received.

1:04:12Thank you. And I'll turn to my colleagues to see if they have any questions for you.

1:04:15If you want to wait right there.

1:04:17Colleagues, do you have any questions?

1:04:19Remember, Hamilton has his hand up first.

1:04:23Thanks. Maybe there was already said, I just want to confirm with the applicant

1:04:26that you're OK with those, if you recommended approval, those three engineering conditions.

1:04:32Yeah, we don't have any issue with the conditions.

1:04:35The setbacks from the actual property line with the paved or the parking stall area

1:04:41is completely fine.

1:04:42The one thing we did want to add is if staff has any interest in the actual

1:04:47material that the parking stall is made of, we're also happy to entertain that.

1:04:51That wasn't a condition that was made, but it is something to discuss.

1:04:57Member Goodfellow.

1:04:59Through the chair to the applicant, that was actually good question.

1:05:02Was it both the materials that you were

1:05:04choosing to use because we are a losing area and I always concerned about storm

1:05:09water, especially with the new development next door.

1:05:13You know, we've lost a lot in that neighborhood.

1:05:15There's always the risk of flooding.

1:05:17So could you comment on the materials you're

1:05:19choosing to use for the driveway?

1:05:21So as of right now, the stall that's going to be created is three meters by five

1:05:26change, a typical parking stall.

1:05:28All of the slope exists towards the street from the building as it is right now.

1:05:34Which we're going to maintain.

1:05:36So the initial thought process is either gravel or hard pack.

1:05:39But if permeability becomes a major concern, we would obviously entertain

1:05:45like a close or an open cell soil filled permeable material.

1:05:51That would be hard on top, obviously, for parking, but could also allow for some

1:05:55some permission.

1:05:58Thank you.

1:05:59Through the chair, I guess we don't have engineering staff.

1:06:03This was one of those questions I had about storm water.

1:06:07So I can ask city staff to see if anyone here has an answer.

1:06:11I guess it has there been a storm water assessment done of this property to

1:06:16understand what the impacts would be through the chair to a member.

1:06:23Good fellow to our knowledge, there has been no storm water assessment completed.

1:06:26That being said, if committee does

1:06:29desire to approve this application, it would be supportive of

1:06:33conditioning that a permeable material be used.

1:06:38Thank you. I appreciate that.

1:06:41Committee members, any other questions of this applicant?

1:06:48Seeing none, I have a question for staff.

1:06:52In staff's comments, they talk about loss of an on street parking spot.

1:06:57Could you elaborate a little bit on that?

1:07:00Is this essentially robbing Peter to pay Paul one off street parking spot for

1:07:08the loss of an on street parking lot?

1:07:10Is that my understanding?

1:07:14Sorry, that's my understanding.

1:07:16Am I correct?

1:07:18Through you, Mr. Chair, that is correct.

1:07:20Yes. So once the driveway curb cut would go in, cars would not be permitted to

1:07:24park in front of that driveway.

1:07:27And I guess the other question I have is in regards to the comment that was made

1:07:34regarding recycling and garbage.

1:07:38I don't know if staff can comment on that, whether or not

1:07:42this would improve refuse collection or not.

1:07:50Through the chair.

1:07:52I'm not entirely sure what the regular

1:07:54average day parking situation is on the street.

1:07:57That being said, the way that it has been described by the applicant, it does sound

1:08:00like there might be some improvement in that field.

1:08:03Yes.

1:08:05And I guess my last question is for the applicant.

1:08:10My colleague raised the issue of permeable paving.

1:08:13Would you entertain that as a condition if

1:08:18if committee were to add that as an approved approved condition?

1:08:25I would say we're definitely open up to that.

1:08:28The approval list is key.

1:08:30And then how we execute would be

1:08:32I mean, we can be valuable on that.

1:08:35Maybe if we wanted to have a storm water or a surface water runoff report

1:08:40done to see what the impact actually is prior to making that decision.

1:08:46Based on the streetscape right now, there's sort of

1:08:48a hodgepodge of different materials on the street.

1:08:51So to satisfy whatever condition to get it approved, that would make sense.

1:08:56We can we can definitely entertain permeable.

1:09:00Yes, go ahead.

1:09:02I think, you know, the condition of assessing permeability, could we add or

1:09:07other low impact development, stormwater management?

1:09:11I'm just thinking if we can slope to sort of a rain garden on the side of the driveway,

1:09:16that may be our preferred method of implementation, but you know, just leave

1:09:21enough flexibility to do something right for stormwater and get get the stall for

1:09:24the tenants put in.

1:09:27OK, thank you for that comment.

1:09:29And committee members, are there any last questions?

1:09:36OK, at this point, I will there are no other comments from the public.

1:09:41But I'm secretary treasurer.

1:09:43I'll entertain a motion.

1:09:48Member Goodfellow.

1:09:50I'm going to give this a try.

1:09:52I move approval with added conditions as outlined by engineering services in their

1:09:58comments, plus an additional condition requiring a stormwater stormwater impact

1:10:05assessment be completed.

1:10:09And then I'm not quite sure how to word the last part, but I will say and

1:10:13inclusion of low impact materials in the construction of the drive.

1:10:21OK, thank you.

1:10:25Do we have a seconder?

1:10:27Member Pike, do we have discussion on that?

1:10:35I don't see any.

1:10:37I'm just going to say that I want to

1:10:40commend my colleague for that recommendation.

1:10:43I think that is a good way to to make this happen.

1:10:48So I will be supporting this application.

1:10:53Madam Secretary Treasurer, can we have a vote, please?

1:10:58Thank you, chair, committee members, please indicate your vote by responding in

1:11:02favor or opposed to the motion, which is to approve the application subject to

1:11:06the three conditions that were outlined by engineering, as well as a condition

1:11:11requiring a stormwater impact assessment and finally a condition regarding the

1:11:17inclusion of low impact materials for the driveway.

1:11:21Chair Smith in favor,

1:11:23member Klein in favor,

1:11:26member Goodfellow in favor, member Hamilton in favor,

1:11:31member Pike in favor,

1:11:34member Sayer in favor and member Spears in favor.

1:11:37That's carried, chair.

1:11:39Your application has been approved.

1:11:41You're free to leave the chamber or stay tuned for more excitement.

1:11:46Thanks guys.

1:11:47OK, thank you so much.

1:11:58Madam Secretary Treasurer, may we have the next applicant?

1:12:05The next application is file A-61-23,

1:12:09variance to permit reduced rear yard setback for proposed attached garage at 10

1:12:15Graham Street. I'll note for those attending or watching the hearing remotely,

1:12:20if you wish to speak to the application, you can do so by calling the number displayed

1:12:24on the screen. That number is 519-822-1260, extension 2524.

1:12:31And when you call in staff will give you instructions on how you can delegate remotely.

1:12:37Is the applicant present?

1:12:39Yes, please approach the podium.

1:12:45Welcome. Can you state your name and your relationship to this application?

1:12:49I am Adrian Van der Root from Van der Root Drafting and Design.

1:12:52I am the agent on behalf of the owners at 10 Graham.

1:12:56And was the sign posted as per the Planning Act?

1:12:59Yes, it was.

1:13:01Thank you. You have 10 minutes to address the committee.

1:13:04Good evening, Chair and committee members.

1:13:07We're seeking relief from the requirements of the minimum rear yard setback in order

1:13:12to facilitate the construction of an attached garage,

1:13:16which would have a rear yard setback of 3.24 meters.

1:13:20The proposed attached garage is located well to the rear as to not impact the existing

1:13:25southeastern facing dining room windows on the side of the house,

1:13:29as this would have a significant impact on the natural light coming into the home.

1:13:33And these windows are also necessary to meet the minimum window area needed in the

1:13:38dining room as per the Ontario Building Code.

1:13:41So we feel this change

1:13:43to the required setback would be minor in nature as the proposed garage

1:13:49and proposed attached garage, sorry, will be replacing the existing detached garage

1:13:54that is of a similar size and footprint as such, the rear yard area and impact on

1:14:00the neighboring properties will not be substantially impacted by this addition.

1:14:04Thank you.

1:14:08Thank you. If you want to play right there, are there any members of the

1:14:14public who would like to address this application?

1:14:18Seeing none, do we have any online?

1:14:23Chair Smith, I believe we do have some interested members of the public that wish

1:14:27to speak to this application.

1:14:28We do have a couple of and maybe we can start with the registered delegates first.

1:14:32Certainly.

1:14:33Have two registered delegates for this application.

1:14:36The first is Paul Cullen.

1:14:41Please come forward.

1:14:52Can you state your name for the record, please?

1:14:54Good evening.

1:14:55My name is Paul Cullen.

1:14:57You have 10 minutes to address the committee.

1:15:00Thank you.

1:15:01So first of all, good afternoon to the committee members and Mr.

1:15:04Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to speak and to voice my neighbor.

1:15:08Its concerns about the impact of the requested bylaw variance at 10 Gram Street.

1:15:13My name is Paul and I am a born and raised qualified.

1:15:15My family has lived in this city for more than 60 years and our small business

1:15:19and sorry, and our small family business has served the community for the past 54 years.

1:15:24Most recently, I have been the backyard neighbor to the applicants for the past six years.

1:15:30Excuse me.

1:15:31When I received notice about the proposed variance, it took me by complete surprise.

1:15:35The guelph I have known is a guelph for neighbors speak to each other and find

1:15:38common solutions that benefit everyone.

1:15:41This is my first opportunity to address the variance and how it will impact my

1:15:45quiet enjoyment on my property in addition to the impact of the other residents on

1:15:49Mutual Street.

1:15:50I would like to share with you how the neighboring properties will be harmed.

1:15:53If this variance is granted, I do not oppose the application or sorry,

1:15:59I do not oppose the applicant approving the property.

1:16:01In fact, I welcome it.

1:16:02It's a it's a great thing for our neighborhood.

1:16:04But what I do oppose is the large garage that will be mere meters away from our

1:16:08property if this variance is approved.

1:16:11Excuse me.

1:16:13When my wife Lauren and I purchased our home six years ago,

1:16:16we were drawn by the privacy provided by this mature neighborhood.

1:16:19We found a well kept home in a beautifully maintained yard and a pool that our

1:16:23daughter Lydia would grow up to enjoy.

1:16:25We were impressed that this neighborhood did not have the pentant feeling for

1:16:29order overcrowded houses bearing atop of each other.

1:16:32During our time on Mutual Street, we have continued to invest in our property as we

1:16:36believe this would be a long term home for a growing family.

1:16:39If this variance is granted, it will crowd our

1:16:41rear neighbors and erase the privacy that Lydia, Lauren and I have enjoyed for years.

1:16:47As the committee will discuss today, there are four factors that must be considered

1:16:50to justifiably grant this variance.

1:16:53The first factor is the application minor.

1:16:56As the owner of the property, which the rear setback is meant to protect,

1:16:59this is not a minor variance, allowing the structure to proceed when

1:17:03accroach on the bylaw required rear yard setback by more than 50 percent,

1:17:07crowding the rear neighbors and accroaching on our private,

1:17:09quiet enjoyment of our respective properties.

1:17:12The second factor asked is for this request is desirable for the for the appropriate

1:17:17development, this application clearly is not.

1:17:19The desire to park a vehicle indoors is shown in the plans as little to no value

1:17:24to the home property or neighborhood.

1:17:25Well, at the same time, the cost for the request will be paid by the neighbors

1:17:29because the variance would so negatively impact the surrounding properties and the neighborhood.

1:17:34The third factor asked us this application conformed to the general

1:17:36intent of the zoning bylaw.

1:17:37Again, I believe it fails.

1:17:39The intent of the zoning bylaw is to maintain a rear yard setback

1:17:42amenity or sorry, rear yard, rear yard amenity and to assure that property is not overdeveloped.

1:17:48The proposed garage would be significantly larger than the existing

1:17:52nonconforming structure that it replaces.

1:17:54Again, encroaching on the rear yard setback by a whopping 50 percent.

1:17:58Though the application although the application states otherwise,

1:18:01to me, it is clear that the existing structure already encroaches on the rear setback.

1:18:07This variance greatly expands the existing nonconformance.

1:18:10I'm only asking for the committee to maintain the status quo.

1:18:13Beyond simply not passing the required tests,

1:18:16this proposal causes direct harm by impeding the quiet enjoyment and privacy of my property.

1:18:22The proposal also directly harms by reducing the property value of ours and neighboring properties.

1:18:28Buried within the application proposal, it is a design for proposed deck,

1:18:32which also sits at the same elevation as the top of the fence.

1:18:36As designed, my neighbors and I will have the applicants peering down on us any time we want to use our private property.

1:18:42As I'm sure you can appreciate my frustration at the thought of my young daughter,

1:18:46being washed by strangers.

1:18:48After reviewing the application documents for this proposal,

1:18:51I find it frustrating to find that we are here today because the application considers their want for frivolous tandem garage

1:18:57greater than my right to maintain value of my own property.

1:19:01Furthermore, the applicant has noted that they want this garage positioned as requested to protect,

1:19:06excuse me, to protect sunlight and to the no home.

1:19:09Without considering at all the shadow of gloom it will spread over my yard.

1:19:13Our properties are not massive, so it does not much,

1:19:16so it does not take much to over develop and any expansion is a significant one.

1:19:21I can only imagine what our neighborhood would look like in the coming years if a precedent like this is established.

1:19:26As someone who prides themselves on neighborly, as a neighborly person in Guelph,

1:19:31I would like to offer the same solutions that I would have suggested to the applicants if they had taken the opportunity before today's meeting

1:19:37to introduce themselves and to discuss their plans.

1:19:41First, there is ample room on their property to build a one and a half car length garage

1:19:45without encroaching on the setback requirements.

1:19:48This will satisfy their desire for parking a vehicle and still provide ample storage while maintaining their desire for sunlight.

1:19:54Additionally, there is more than enough space for a two car tandem garage to be positioned in compliance with

1:20:00with the setback requirements.

1:20:02Simply shifting this new structure forward

1:20:05or toward the front of their property

1:20:06will easily achieve this.

1:20:08Considering the extent of the renovation,

1:20:10adding a new window on the Eastern wall

1:20:12or a skylight as we heard earlier today

1:20:15above will be a drop in the bucket

1:20:16and a simple compromise.

1:20:18Again, I thank you for your time today, committee members.

1:20:21I look forward to your decision

1:20:22and I ask that you uphold the bylaws

1:20:24as they are designed to protect the neighborhood.

1:20:27Thank you.

1:20:28If you want to wait right there

1:20:29and see if any committee members have any questions for you.

1:20:32Committee members, do you have any questions

1:20:34for this member of the public?

1:20:40I don't see any.

1:20:42Is there anyone online that would like to question this?

1:20:46It doesn't seem to be.

1:20:47So thank you very much for your,

1:20:50you're very welcome.

1:20:52Are there any other members of the public

1:20:53who would like to speak to this application?

1:21:00Yes, please come forward.

1:21:20Can you state your name for the record, please?

1:21:23My name's John Crookshank

1:21:24and I'm a resident on Mutual Street.

1:21:28Sorry, do you mind approaching the microphone

1:21:31just a little bit?

1:21:31My old years are having difficulty.

1:21:36My name's John Crookshank

1:21:38and I'm a resident of Nine Mutual Street.

1:21:42Thank you, Mr. Crookshank.

1:21:43You have 10 minutes to address the committee.

1:21:46Thank you.

1:21:50The zoning bylaws have a purpose

1:21:53to maintain the build quality of our neighborhoods.

1:21:56It is desirable for the good of the city

1:21:58that zoning bylaws be adhered to.

1:22:01I request that the rear yard setback

1:22:04of 6.09 meters required by the bylaw be enforced.

1:22:11I also have a rainwater concern.

1:22:14The proposed garage and addition

1:22:16greatly increase the roof area.

1:22:20The area of lawn to receive the runoff water is reduced.

1:22:25The bylaw required setback of 6.09 meters

1:22:29will be needed to absorb runoff water.

1:22:33I do not want neighboring water runoff

1:22:37ponding in my backyard.

1:22:39Every yard setback of 3.24 meters is not acceptable.

1:22:46Thank you.

1:22:49Thank you.

1:22:49If you want to wait right there

1:22:50and see if committee members have any questions for you,

1:22:54committee members, do we have any questions

1:22:55of this applicant member?

1:22:57Good fellow.

1:22:58Yeah, through the chair, actually,

1:23:00it's a question for city staff,

1:23:01but again, it's a stormwater question.

1:23:03So may not be able to have it answered

1:23:06since engineering isn't available yet,

1:23:08but I will ask it anyway.

1:23:10Has a stormwater assessment been completed for this site?

1:23:18Through the chair to member?

1:23:20Good fellow.

1:23:21To my knowledge, one has not been completed.

1:23:26Thank you.

1:23:27I guess through the chair then to the applicant.

1:23:31Member, good fellow,

1:23:32could we save the questions for the applicant?

1:23:34Certainly.

1:23:35I'd like to focus on this member of the public

1:23:38if you don't mind.

1:23:39Yes, certainly, thank you.

1:23:41Committee members, any other questions of this?

1:23:45Member of the public on this application?

1:23:47Seeing none, thank you very much for your delegation.

1:23:51We appreciate it.

1:23:52Thank you.

1:23:54Are there any other members of the public

1:23:56who would like to speak to this application?

1:24:02Seeing none, I'll go back to see if there are any online.

1:24:10Chair Smith, I can confirm

1:24:11that we haven't received any calls.

1:24:14Thank you.

1:24:15So I will ask the applicant

1:24:17if he'd like to address any of the comments

1:24:19that have been made.

1:24:20And I believe member, good fellow,

1:24:22may want to chime in at that point as well.

1:24:28So my client who I'm representing,

1:24:32they've owned this property here for in and around 10 years.

1:24:37So they, we're adding the addition

1:24:41because they're in a very small and tight house.

1:24:45We have originally talked about having the garage,

1:24:48the tandem garage pulled more forward,

1:24:50but with losing the daylight through that side of the house

1:24:54and then with the way the original roof is framed,

1:24:58it is difficult and more costly to put in the,

1:25:04to put in skylights in that area.

1:25:06And so as far as that goes,

1:25:12that we're just asking for relief

1:25:14of the back portion of the garage, right?

1:25:17For the setback, the back wall of the house still complies

1:25:21and the proposed rear deck complies

1:25:25within the zoning there as well.

1:25:32So I think that's all I have for that.

1:25:36Member, good fellow, did you want to ask

1:25:38this applicant a question?

1:25:40Yes, I do.

1:25:41Thank you, Chair.

1:25:42So through the chair to the applicant.

1:25:45So to the question about stormwater, it is a concern.

1:25:49And I guess I'm wondering how the design has been,

1:25:57considered for stormwater management on the site,

1:26:00considering that there is certainly less setback

1:26:03off of the back of the property.

1:26:06At this point, we haven't really fully considered that yet

1:26:11because we're still in the preliminary design stage

1:26:14because we wanted to get this approved

1:26:17before we finish off the drawings

1:26:20for the building department.

1:26:22And we knew we were going to be applying

1:26:24for the minor variance.

1:26:25So we thought we'd get a preliminary drawn up

1:26:28so that we can apply.

1:26:31So at this point, we could address that as well

1:26:34in our design to ensure that stormwater is either retained

1:26:39so it does not flow onto the neighbor's property

1:26:42with the grading plan or something else.

1:26:52Thank you, I appreciate that.

1:26:54I guess then if engineering was here,

1:26:58I would be asking them if there was an appropriate condition

1:27:00to add, I'm always reluctant to add conditions

1:27:04without some of their input.

1:27:05But so I will ask staff, other staff,

1:27:09if they could comment on perhaps

1:27:11whether a condition could be added here

1:27:14that would require a stormwater assessment

1:27:18or other language that could be added around stormwater.

1:27:26Through the chair to member Goodfell,

1:27:28I think we could add a condition.

1:27:29I was just trying to come up with some wording

1:27:32as you were speaking.

1:27:35And I know we've added these types of conditions

1:27:37in the past for other applications.

1:27:39So maybe something to the effect that a stormwater

1:27:42management brief be prepared to the satisfaction

1:27:48of the city engineer prior to the issuance

1:27:51of a building permit to ensure

1:27:54that stormwater is maintained and handled

1:27:58not to impact the other adjacent properties,

1:28:01something to that effect.

1:28:05And if I could just also add at this time,

1:28:08I think maybe hearing the neighbor's concerns,

1:28:11I think maybe we should actually add another condition

1:28:14with regards to that if the committee were to approve it,

1:28:18that the variance only apply to the rear yard

1:28:22as shown on the public notice sketch.

1:28:23And the public notice sketch shows that the rear yard

1:28:27variance is really only to part of the attached garage.

1:28:32I know that the applicant is proposing an addition.

1:28:34I think it's a two-story addition for the rest of the house

1:28:38or part of the house,

1:28:39but if we could make it a condition that it's only

1:28:43as shown in accordance with the public notice sketch,

1:28:46so it wouldn't, so the remainder of the house

1:28:49wouldn't be able to move closer as well.

1:28:55Thank you, Member Goodfellow and thank you, Staff.

1:28:58Do we have any other questions?

1:28:59Member Speer.

1:29:01Through you, Mr. Chair, to the applicant,

1:29:03I'm looking at the site drawing and I,

1:29:05could you help me understand why the garage needs to be so deep?

1:29:10What about the design is it, because it seems very long?

1:29:14Member Speer, can I just ask if we can have that brought

1:29:19up on the screen, which you're referring to?

1:29:23It's the, it is the site drawing.

1:29:27I think it might help with members of the audience as well.

1:29:32Site survey, I think.

1:29:34No, I'm not sure, I know that.

1:29:36Yes, that's the one.

1:29:38Thank you.

1:29:39Yeah, so the crossed, the lined area there

1:29:43is the existing garage right now.

1:29:47The owners have a vehicle that they store in that garage.

1:29:53So that's not a daily driver that they currently park inside,

1:29:59but they'd also like to park one of their other vehicles

1:30:02inside the garage, which is why it is a tandem length garage.

1:30:06You can't fit a standard two car garage width on the property.

1:30:11So it just why we have the tandem length.

1:30:14So in order to accommodate two vehicles inside,

1:30:17that's why we have that length.

1:30:20Thank you for explaining that.

1:30:22Are there any other questions?

1:30:23Sorry, could you leave that back up, Andrew?

1:30:30Are there any other questions for this applicant by my colleagues?

1:30:41I do have a couple of questions.

1:30:43As you were speaking about not being able to fit a two car garage on this site,

1:30:52would you be able to fit a two car garage on this site?

1:30:57With a variance application to the side yard as opposed to the backyard?

1:31:02That I have not looked into.

1:31:11But let's see if we could pull up the drawing so I can just have a refresher.

1:31:17I'm just the main floor page and I could maybe give an answer to that.

1:31:24If you could zoom in so I can see the measurements across the front.

1:31:40So we're entirely sure if we'd be able to fit that in.

1:31:48If we were to go side by side.

1:32:07Right.

1:32:09The house is skewed on the property as well.

1:32:13So the back corner currently as it is right, we are within that side yard setback.

1:32:19But if we were to go tandem wide.

1:32:23Generally we'd be closer to.

1:32:27Six meters in width.

1:32:29Right with your overall walls.

1:32:31So we'd be adding another two and a half.

1:32:34Meters there, which we don't, we don't have on the property.

1:32:38Thank you. And in your design development brief, did you, um, I'm.

1:32:43Forgive me, but I had a little bit of trouble interpreting the layout.

1:32:49Um, I'm forgive me, but I had a little bit of trouble interpreting the last slide that we looked at.

1:32:56So it's helpful to go through this a little bit for my tired eyes.

1:33:01In your design brief, um, it was brought up by one of the members of the public.

1:33:08So you looked at bringing the garage forward so that it did not impact the,

1:33:14the backyard setback or, or not impacted as aggressively.

1:33:20Um, we have, we originally started with.

1:33:25Looking at it being more forward, but because of the windows in the side of the house, right facing the south and the requirements of the Ontario building code for having a wind,

1:33:35a glass area in your dining room.

1:33:39Then we opted to try and preserve that.

1:33:44So that's why we are requesting the variance for the rear yard setback.

1:33:51Could the fenestration be accomplished with a skylights.

1:33:55Um, with the construct, the construction of the roof, the way that it is stick framed currently, it becomes rather difficult.

1:34:02Like you'd have to reframe a very large section of the existing roof.

1:34:07So we're trying to avoid removing the roof because they still like to be living there while the addition is built.

1:34:14It significantly impacts how they, they wouldn't be able to live there then while the addition is added.

1:34:23Okay. Thank you very much. Committee members. Any other questions of this applicant seeing none.

1:34:31Oh, no, we have a question or a member of the audience who secretary treasure. Can we entertain a member of the audience at this point.

1:34:43Sure. Smith, I'd leave that question or answer up to you, but certainly if you wish to.

1:34:49I'm not opposed if committee members are all right with that. I don't want to run over. She's the one of the owners of the property.

1:34:57Okay. Well, we've, we've allowed 10 minutes for the presentation. So I'm not going to allow her to address unless it's an answer to some of the questions.

1:35:06Is this an answer to some of the specific questions that have been raised?

1:35:12I'm sorry. I can't hear you.

1:35:17Is it an additional comment? I think I'm sorry at this point, unless it's an answer to a question, I'm not going to allow it.

1:35:26Okay. Thank you very much.

1:35:29Do we have and I don't believe we've had any other questions from the public. So at this point, I will turn it over to my colleagues.

1:35:39Members. What is your pleasure.

1:35:46I'll make a motion to approve with two conditions. The first being that what town staff suggested that that the variance apply only to the what's on the site sketch here.

1:35:58And the second one would be that a storm water report be done ahead of any permitting.

1:36:03Thank you. Do we have a seconder member? Good fellow.

1:36:09Do we have any discussion on the motion? I don't see any.

1:36:17I think that's probably a reasonable compromise from my point of view. And I'll support that.

1:36:23At this point, unless we have any more discussion on the motion, I will turn it over to the secretary treasure.

1:36:31Thank you chair committee members, please indicate your vote by responding in favor or opposed to which is to approve the application with the two conditions as outlined by member Hamilton chair Smith.

1:36:44In favor.

1:36:45Member Klein.

1:36:46In favor.

1:36:48Member good fellow in favor.

1:36:50Number Hamilton in favor.

1:36:53Number Pike in favor.

1:36:56Number Sarah opposed.

1:36:58Member Spears in favor.

1:37:00That's carried chair.

1:37:03Your application has been approved. Thank you. Welcome. Madam secretary treasure. May we have the next app?

1:37:24The next application is file age 63 slash 23.

1:37:30I'm sorry. I'm skipped ahead here.

1:37:32Eight dash 62 slash 23 variance to permit reduced number of parking spaces for existing apartment building at 236 Gordon street.

1:37:42I'll also note for those watching remotely, if you wish to speak to this application, you can do so by calling the number displayed on the screen.

1:37:49The number is 5198221260 extension 2524. And when you call in staff will give you instructions on how you can delegate remotely.

1:38:04Is the applicant present? Don't see anyone making their way to the podium. Do we have someone online?

1:38:18Oh, chair Smith, I believe the applicant is online. The name is Mike Sarah.

1:38:24Good evening. Can you state your, your name and your relationships to this application, please?

1:38:32Chair and committee members. My name is Mike Sarah. I'm a planner with GSP group in Kitchener and I'm the applicant on behalf of 236 properties limited.

1:38:44Thank you. And can you tell me if the application or pardon me if the sign was applied as for the planning act?

1:38:51Yes, it was.

1:38:53Thank you. You have 10 minutes that you can address the committee.

1:38:57Thank you chair and committee members. I'm going to keep this one short and sweet. I had reviewed the staff comments that were provided.

1:39:05The purpose for this variance is simply just to facilitate the addition of a new residential unit in an existing 30 unit apartment building while maintaining the existing 29 parking spaces.

1:39:16The unit will be an underutilized existing room within the apartment building.

1:39:21And just for further background, the building was built prior to site plan approval, which deems the property as a legal not complying.

1:39:31And then as the additional unit or would require would typically require an additional two parking spaces, which the property currently can't accommodate at this time.

1:39:40That is the purpose for this request and variance.

1:39:43Thank you. And committee member or pardon me. Are there any members of the public who would.

1:39:53Yes, please approach the podium. Good evening. Can you state your name for the record please? Yes, my name is Rick Jamison.

1:40:08And I would like to speak to this matter.

1:40:11You have 10 minutes. Go ahead please.

1:40:14I would like to request that this application be deferred until I can actually meet with Mr. Sarah and the building owner.

1:40:21But I'll give you some background on the site and I'll give you my, my, my comments.

1:40:27If this was a brand new site and you can look at 807 Gordon Street is a very comparable site in terms of its size.

1:40:34807 Gordon Street has a fence that borders the property, a higher fence right now the fence that's there. There's a retaining wall.

1:40:45And because the way the property is sloped, everyone who parks there, their light shone shine into the backyards and the houses of everybody on James Street East.

1:40:55So that's the first problem. The second problem is, is because it does not have a hard fence.

1:41:01They push the snow into our backyards and they don't have enough. They don't push the snow where it really should be and that's on their property where they should take it off the site.

1:41:11That's the second problem. And the third problem is, is that I believe they do have enough space to put in a couple of additional parking spaces.

1:41:21So I want to be clear. I'm not against them having another unit. I think that's a good goal.

1:41:27But I don't believe that they should be allowed to do this. Now I have, does this work to actually show you something drawing this thing here?

1:41:38No. Okay. Well, I have, unfortunately, I don't have a copy for Mr. Syrah because he's over there, but I actually brought a drawing that I marked up that I would like to give to the committee members.

1:41:50And I'm happy to describe it to Mr. Syrah in detail. Can I hand these to you?

1:41:58Thank you.

1:42:02So I'm, if you don't mind, Mr. Chairman, I'm going to try to be fair to Mr. Syrah. Okay. So if you want to bring up the drawing that he provided, I will try to explain it from what I'm doing here. All right.

1:42:15So what you're seeing there is on the bottom side, you'll see parking spaces. I think the numbers.

1:42:2125 to 29. Okay. And that area there is a, is a, is a grassy area. Okay. And to the right of parking space number 25 is additional land there. And I believe the area from the property line in front of spaces 25 to 29 can be used and redesigned to create additional

1:42:48parking space for parking spaces and or snow. Currently, you see where the number 83 is on the length of the property on the top of the drawing. This is where they push snow into our backyards. And I've noted this on this drawing.

1:43:04I've shown the staff that I want for Mr. Syrah's benefit. This is essentially where this snow was going. In addition, as I explained, the angled parking spaces are angled down.

1:43:17And there's a stone wall there, a concrete wall. And I brought a number of pictures, which I can also send her out for the staff for the, for the committee members. Unfortunately, I'm sure Mr. Syrah knows the site.

1:43:31Well, the problem is, is that this space along that's currently, which is the spot where I believe they could put more parking spaces, their property managers just dump dumps junk there. Okay. There's plenty of room. I pasted off the drawing says 7.8 meters.

1:43:52But I would question that because I think the space is 25 to 29 art quite right to the building. I believe there's about 30 feet there. So I believe there's plenty of room for parking there. And the building itself.

1:44:04I've been there the last three mornings. There are three and I'm there at 7am each day because I'm on my way to work. And there are three open spaces each day, but they're renovating the units and the units are aren't all full.

1:44:17So, so, and I'll send these spaces these pictures around because they have a picture of the railing that currently is there. So, well, staff gives this a pass because it's an existing

1:44:34space.

1:44:36If this was 807 Gordon Street, a 30 unit building would require to have the first 20 would be 1.5 spaces. That's 30 spaces and the additional 10 plus one, you'd be at 44 spaces.

1:44:52And they're trying to get by with 29. The problem is that Gordon Street is a main thoroughfare and there is no off street parking.

1:44:59So I'm not against this unit. I'm in favor of it. I'll tell you why.

1:45:04There has been a terrible landlord there for many years and these gentlemen just bought the property because they it's in their application.

1:45:11It says that they just bought it. Now I know they're spending money because they have a big dumpster there and they're filling it. So they're renovating obviously a number of units in the building.

1:45:20So I'm in favor of that because they're spending money in the building is probably a good thing for the buildings could probably good for the tenants.

1:45:27But I know a lot of the tents are turning over in that building.

1:45:30So my feeling is, is that I it's not that I want. I'm not opposed to this development, meaning I just don't believe the site plan should be allowed to continue as legal on conforming forever.

1:45:44At least do your best with what you've got and try to put two more spaces minimum. I think it's very easily doable and clean up all the junk on the site, which I'm showing you in those photographs.

1:45:57Well, I missed one. This is the picture of the wall and the wall needs some work. So what's happening is, is they they own the adjoining property to 20 Gordon Street as well.

1:46:06So they do try to push the snow down onto the lower building and then they push the snow into our backyard and they broke in the fence.

1:46:15So the pictures you see of the broken fence is where we've tried to prop up their fence and put our own chain link fence up, but they knock it down every winter.

1:46:23That's the cycle that goes on here. So again, I'm not after these owners. They're brand new, reasonably new.

1:46:30It's been a terrible situation for years and I'd like to see them succeed, get their unit, but they need to do something because 44 spaces versus 29 you're going to add two more, a two bedroom unit to this building.

1:46:44And I also have a question to you, Mr. Chair, to the applicants representative. This underutilized room. So in 1971, I was a Toronto Telegram paper boy.

1:46:54I delivered papers in the building. It used to be in the basement. Each of those apartments had a storage locker and there was a laundry room. It's an old style building.

1:47:05So either the laundry room is going or the storage lockers are going. But I actually believe the storage lockers are actually gone. They put, I believe in the 90s, they put two units where the storage lockers were.

1:47:17So I think it's the laundry room that's going, but I don't know. So I asked that question of the applicant through the chair. And like I said, I'm in favour of what they're doing.

1:47:29But I think they need to find a way to clean up this whole situation. The stormwater runs off into our backyard because the lot is bowed.

1:47:37They can't do anything about it. It's always been like that, but they could improve it. So there's a problem there. And that's, I'll take any questions you have.

1:47:45I don't know what else to tell you. That's the whole story.

1:47:48Thank you. Very informative. And my apologies that you're not able to share with my colleagues. We're on the line, these images, but I appreciate you providing copies for us to take a look at.

1:48:04Committee members, do we have any questions of this member of the public member? Good fellow.

1:48:12Yes, through the chair to the delegate. I just want a bit of clarification. I think you did a great job of explaining some of the issues that have historically been here.

1:48:25And I understand some of your frustrations based on some of what you've described. But can you just clarify for me, which is your property?

1:48:33Yeah, we own right behind it. We have a rental property, 17 James, which is the one where the snow is. Okay. My brother's home is at the very corner of that lot at the corner.

1:48:45So where you see barrier fence needed to the right there on James Street East. Okay. And then my daughter has lived two doors down from my brother. So this is my brother here, Dennis, and he lives there. And my daughter lives two doors down from that.

1:49:01Okay. We've lived on that street. My grandparents were there.

1:49:061925. Okay, thank you. That's that's helpful clarification. I was trying to understand if it was the property you owned was the apartment building. I guess that's 14 Gordon.

1:49:17No, sorry, 220 is the same owner of this building owns 220. Okay. And they that's what I'm trying to say where I have in this drawing where the railings missing.

1:49:25They push this, they, when they get too much snow, they push it over into 220. And it ultimately lends up in my backyard at 17 James Street. Okay.

1:49:34Yeah, no, thank you for the clarification. It's very helpful. That's where the you see the pictures in the photograph of the fence broken down.

1:49:42Any other questions for this delegate seeing none. Thank you once again for and again my apologies for not being able to share your images. That's a lot of work.

1:49:53Do we have any other members of the public who would like to speak to this application?

1:50:01Chair Smith. I'll just know we did have another registered delegate. The name was Dennis Jameson. I'm not sure.

1:50:07Okay. We no longer have that delegate.

1:50:11Thank you. And I take it no one online either. Okay. Is the applicant still here?

1:50:20Yes, chair. I am.

1:50:21Okay, good. And I'd like to see if our if you have any feedback that you'd like to give us based on what the delegates have spoken about.

1:50:37Yes, thank you chair and members of the committee as well as delegate. Thank you for bringing up these issues.

1:50:41I just want to kind of address. I guess your comments at this point, based on that, the fact that you did mention that these are new owners.

1:50:52I feel like as some of these issues in terms of existing maintenance of the land, maybe perhaps better suited outside of the planning matter and directly with yourself and the building owners as well.

1:51:07As far as the application going for the just the variance for the parking spaces. I just wanted to give a little background.

1:51:17Maybe most of this building is being rented out to a students as it is a local, I guess, residential rental area for the local university.

1:51:26Where there's many transit options and there's always typically vacant spaces along this property, which we didn't feel the need that it was required for additional parking spaces at this time.

1:51:36As far as some of the concerns with the building in terms of snow area or snow push, I feel like that may be better suited for an outside conversation, either with ourselves or with the property owner as well.

1:51:50That was really all I wanted to say at this time. Thank you.

1:51:56Thank you. And committee members, do we have any questions for the applicant member Spears.

1:52:04Yes, through you, Mr. Chair, to the applicant. The delegate suggested that it would be possible to use the existing space on the property to in fact wedge in a couple of more spaces.

1:52:16Could you address that possibility?

1:52:19Thank you, committee member Spears. That is something that we may be able to bring back with our applicant and with our owner and take another look at that.

1:52:32But there are certain aspects that I want to maybe bleeding into that setback on the side yard that we may need to look into further.

1:52:41And I have a follow up question, which is you just stated that it's a large student population as residents and therefore there's not heavy use on the parking.

1:52:53The delegate said that in his experience in the morning, there's three spaces open and there's empty apartments because of renovation.

1:53:01Those two don't jive.

1:53:04What's your perspective on that? I mean, I take it the delegate, he lives there, he knows.

1:53:10You know, how do you answer that?

1:53:13No, that's fair. And with my understanding that hasn't been the case, but that's something that I can take back and discuss with.

1:53:22But it's our understanding that there's always been ample parking space existing at the building as it currently does exist.

1:53:31Thank you.

1:53:35Thank you, Member Spears. Any other questions of the applicant or staff on my dad?

1:53:46I have one question for staff and the member of the public who brought this up.

1:53:53Most of this sounds like site issues that are best brought before property standards. Is that more or less your conclusion as well?

1:54:10To the chair. Yes, I would agree with you. The application that's in front of the committee is really a variance for parking.

1:54:18They're adding one additional unit in an existing building.

1:54:20I do appreciate and understand where the neighbor is coming from and their concerns.

1:54:27If this was a brand new site, all of these issues would be looked at and addressed through site plan approval items such as like snow storage parking layout fencing.

1:54:38And they would be subject to the existing bylaws in terms of buffers and everything like that. However, this is an existing site in existing building.

1:54:46This is an opportunity, is not an opportunity to go back in time and have the applicant or the owner redesign their site.

1:54:55I think issues such as if there's any issues such as snow storage or grading and drainage concerns, like those can be addressed through property standards.

1:55:04And I think you've heard from the applicant that the applicant and the owners would be willing to work with the neighbors and address some of the other other concerns that maybe wouldn't fall under property standards.

1:55:16Thank you. And just to be clear, that's not something that our committee can really address in a in amendment to, to any emotion, any motion that we may want to consider.

1:55:31To the chair that that's correct. Like what's what's before you is really a variance for for parking.

1:55:38Thank you.

1:55:40Committee members any last questions.

1:55:43Yes, member Hamilton.

1:55:47Question for town staff and I realize it will have no bearing on the outcome here, but is, are you aware is there risk management plan in place for this property or any surrounding properties for snow storage to start a curiosity.

1:56:00Through the chair to member Hamilton, I'm not aware.

1:56:09Snow storage is something that would be looked at through site plan approval. However, in this case, it's an existing building. So site plan approval is not required.

1:56:23Any follow up member Hamilton.

1:56:25No, I just curious because I do believe maybe in an intake protection zone. So I just quit. I mean, that's not part of the site process. I just was just checking to see if maybe there was one, but it's an old site. It may be not. So just thought I would ask. Thank you.

1:56:39Okay. Thank you.

1:56:41Committee members any other questions.

1:56:44Seeing none. And I believe that wraps it up for.

1:56:49Any public participation. I will turn to our committee members for a motion. Committee members. What is your wish. Member Goodfellow.

1:57:05I move approval.

1:57:08Yeah, I move approval. Thank you. No conditions.

1:57:11Do we have a seconder.

1:57:13Members say yours.

1:57:15And is there any discussion on the member on the motion before us.

1:57:21Seeing none. I will turn it over to Madam Secretary treasurer.

1:57:27Thank you chair committee members. Please indicate your vote by responding in favor or opposed to the motion, which is to approve the application.

1:57:35Chair Smith in favor member Klein in favor member Goodfellow in favor member Hamilton in favor member Pike in favor.

1:57:48Member say or in favor member Spears in favor. That's carried chair.

1:57:53Your application has been approved.

1:57:55Thank you chair and thank you committee members.

1:57:58You're welcome. You're free to leave the meeting. Madam secretary treasurer. May we have the next applicant.

1:58:06The next application is file a dash 63 dash 23 permission to enlarge extend legal non conforming use bakery and variance to permit reduced parking spaces for 535 Woolwood street on note for those members of the public that are watching the hearing remotely.

1:58:31If you wish to speak to this application, you can do so by calling the number to spread on the screen. That number is 519821260 extension 2524.

1:58:42And when you call in staff will give you instructions on how you can delegate remotely is the applicant present.

1:58:50Welcome please approach the podium. Can you state your name for the record please and your relationship to the application.

1:59:01My name is Jesse Merrill and I am the applicant.

1:59:06And was the sign posted as per the planning act to signs were posted.

1:59:11That's great. And did you read staff's comments and are you in agreement.

1:59:16I believe I've covered everything there.

1:59:19Well you have 10 minutes to address the committee.

1:59:22Thank you. Thank you committee for hearing me.

1:59:27Just a little background on our business. I started this business 15 years ago as a home based business and for nine years worked out of my garage.

1:59:38And in 2016 the laundromat just around the corner from us was in really rough shape and had come to the end of a lease.

1:59:50And Angelo and Gina, my great landlords came to me and actually asked me if I could.

2:00:00do something in there.

2:00:02And we brought that at the time

2:00:07to the committee of adjustment

2:00:09because that building had not been allowed

2:00:13to have such a use in it previously.

2:00:21Committee of adjustment made that choice,

2:00:25which I think was a good one.

2:00:27It was my first experience working with City Hall

2:00:29and I was a little intimidated,

2:00:31but everyone in both these processes

2:00:33has been helpful beyond my expectation

2:00:36and clearly believe in making a better

2:00:38and more livable city.

2:00:40Seven years later, my little business is a busy beehive

2:00:45with 10 great employees and hundreds of families

2:00:50being fed weekly from there.

2:00:54I think we knew we'd made a real difference

2:00:56when real estate agents started to advertise

2:00:58how close their properties were to our business.

2:01:04If we could see the floor plan first.

2:01:16So this year, my building neighbor, Barbarino Barbershop,

2:01:24found a larger venue and this became a great opportunity

2:01:28for us.

2:01:29The Managatos are very excited to have me

2:01:33finish cleaning up their building

2:01:35and bringing it up to a beautiful part of the neighborhood.

2:01:40What we're looking at here is the building,

2:01:43is the space to the left where you see the word cafe written.

2:01:47It's just over 300 square feet,

2:01:49I think 330 square feet part of the building.

2:01:54And this tiny addition will allow us

2:01:56to do a couple of things for one,

2:02:00and we'll get back to this in a second,

2:02:02is it gives all the parking over to us for one business.

2:02:06And it also allows at the back of this space

2:02:11for us finally to have a staff room.

2:02:13So my staff doesn't have to sort of huddle over

2:02:15a chest freezer beside the water softener in the back room.

2:02:20So that's exciting for all of us.

2:02:24What the vision is, is a beautiful little coffee shop.

2:02:29I think cafe is too grand a word for it.

2:02:31We're looking at something that will probably have a bar

2:02:34with two to four seats and a table with again,

2:02:40two to four seats.

2:02:42The customer area will be just about 100 square feet.

2:02:45So quite a tiny space.

2:02:49I already bought a beautiful espresso machine,

2:02:51so I hope that you guys are gonna play along with that.

2:02:56And there'll be a pass through in the front room

2:03:00to the front room of the bakery

2:03:02so that these two spaces will be usable as one.

2:03:08In the same spirit as the bakery,

2:03:09we believe it's a grab and go kind of business

2:03:12that we're really building here.

2:03:15It will keep the parking lot in pretty swift rotation,

2:03:18which is what we see currently.

2:03:21And there is lots of bike and stroller traffic

2:03:24already to the bakery and we'll be able to put,

2:03:26I think to the left of this building now,

2:03:29a proper bike storage or parking rack.

2:03:35And then if I could see the site plan for a second,

2:03:46well, that's being found.

2:03:50This is where we see the four parking spots in the front.

2:03:53So that's Woolwich Street along the bottom of the picture,

2:03:58four parking spots that are official

2:04:01and a pass through from an counterclockwise direction

2:04:05through that parking lot.

2:04:07And then at the back, we have officially a loading area.

2:04:12This is a space that can hold about four employee vehicles.

2:04:18And that still leaves this space to the right far corner

2:04:23as a snow place that we use in the winter.

2:04:26That's where we push our snow.

2:04:30So in practical effect, we feel we have four spots

2:04:32at the back and four in the front.

2:04:36And it is my understanding that in the 2023 by-law,

2:04:41this building will be deemed convenience commercial

2:04:45and that I wouldn't actually be standing here before you

2:04:48if that weren't in litigation right now, the 2023 by-law.

2:04:54So we are asking for this variance

2:04:59to allow the bakery use to take over the whole building

2:05:02that we intend to use that little space

2:05:04as an accessory usage that would be as the coffee shop.

2:05:10It's under 25% of the total building

2:05:12as you can clearly see there.

2:05:14And so I think the main thing is the variance

2:05:17to allow the reduced parking.

2:05:19And thanks for my family and staff

2:05:22and for me for considering this

2:05:24and making this corner of the city

2:05:26one little bit better caffeinated.

2:05:30Thank you very much.

2:05:31And if you want to wait right there,

2:05:34I'm going to ask if any members of the public

2:05:36would like to speak to this application.

2:05:41I don't see any Madam Secretary Treasurer.

2:05:44Do we have any online?

2:05:46Chair Smith, we haven't received any calls.

2:05:49Thank you very much.

2:05:51If you want to wait there,

2:05:53I'll see if my committee members have any questions for you.

2:05:56Committee members, do we have any questions of this applicant?

2:06:01Members Spears.

2:06:02Yeah, I just threw you, Mr. Chair, to the applicant.

2:06:05I just want to be sure.

2:06:06I think I understand.

2:06:07In fact, the parking situation doesn't conform

2:06:12to the standard, but nothing's changing.

2:06:14There's going to be no fewer or no more parking.

2:06:17That's correct.

2:06:18In the past seven years,

2:06:20we've shared the front four parking spots with Barbarino

2:06:24and the back staff ones.

2:06:27Now we're putting a business with similar number of employees

2:06:30and probably I feel pretty similar number of customers.

2:06:35He had two people cutting hair in there all the time.

2:06:38So I see it as a pretty much a net zero situation.

2:06:43Okay, thanks.

2:06:45Thank you.

2:06:47Any other committee members wish to question the applicant?

2:06:54Seeing none, last call for delegations online.

2:06:59Chair Smith, no other calls.

2:07:01Thank you.

2:07:02At this point, we'll consider a motion.

2:07:06Committee members, what is your pleasure?

2:07:10Sayers.

2:07:12I'd move to approve this.

2:07:15Senator, members Spears, is there any discussion on this?

2:07:22Seeing none, I will turn it over to our secretary,

2:07:26treasurer to call the roll.

2:07:30Thank you, chair.

2:07:30Committee members, please indicate your vote

2:07:32by responding in favor or opposed to the motion,

2:07:34which is to approve the application.

2:07:38Chair Smith.

2:07:39In favor.

2:07:42Member Klein has left the meeting,

2:07:43so I'll proceed to member Goodfellow.

2:07:45In favor.

2:07:46Member Hamilton.

2:07:48In favor.

2:07:49Member Pike.

2:07:50In favor.

2:07:51Member Seher.

2:07:52In favor.

2:07:53And member Spears.

2:07:55In favor.

2:07:55That's carried, chair.

2:07:57Your application has been approved

2:07:59and you are free to leave the meeting

2:08:02and warm up that espresso machine.

2:08:04Thank you guys.

2:08:11Madam secretary, treasurer, may we have the next applicant?

2:08:20The next applications are files B-12-23 and A-64-23,

2:08:28consent to create new residential lot

2:08:30and related variants to permit reduced rear yard setback

2:08:33for proposed retain lot at 37 McCray Boulevard.

2:08:38For those of you that are watching the hearing remotely

2:08:41and wish to speak to this application,

2:08:42you can do so by calling the number displayed on the screen.

2:08:45That number is 519-822-1260, extension 2524.

2:08:51And when you call in, staff will give you instructions

2:08:54on how you can delegate remotely via phone.

2:08:57I'll also note for the committee members as well,

2:08:59is that revised comments have been provided from engineering

2:09:03and those revised comments include some revisions

2:09:06to the recommended conditions

2:09:08and that revision has been circulated

2:09:11to the committee members and the applicant.

2:09:15Thank you.

2:09:16I see the applicant at the podium.

2:09:20Can you speak your name for the record?

2:09:22Jeff Buseman.

2:09:24Welcome, Mr. Buseman and your relationship

2:09:27to this application.

2:09:28I'm the applicant, agent for the owner.

2:09:32And was the sign posted as per the planning?

2:09:34Yes, it was.

2:09:36Thank you.

2:09:37You have 10 minutes in which to address the committee.

2:09:41Maybe we could, she's ahead of me.

2:09:45This is at the, this is an old university neighborhood area.

2:09:49This is a property at the corner of McCray and James

2:09:52and it's for an infill parcel.

2:09:56The existing house was built originally to front McCray.

2:10:02A large addition was put on at one time at the back

2:10:06and a second driver was put in off of James

2:10:08to get into that addition.

2:10:10That addition is mainly a garage on the lower floor.

2:10:13So in this case, the garage is going to be removed

2:10:16and we have a good size amount of room for a new dwelling.

2:10:23All the zoning requirements for the new lot are met.

2:10:27The only one that we don't meet is

2:10:30what we call the rear yard on the retained parcel.

2:10:34So because of the orientation of the subject parcel

2:10:44actually changes.

2:10:46Technically speaking right now, the house fronts on McCray

2:10:49but because of zoning, the frontage on the retained parcel

2:10:53will be facing James.

2:10:54So technically speaking, the rear yard is the 2.0 meters

2:10:58that you see on the left side of the paper with the big A.

2:11:03So that really does function as a side yard

2:11:08and really it makes practical sense.

2:11:12The way just because of the nature of a corner lot.

2:11:15The amenity area, there's plenty of amenity area

2:11:18on the James Street side of that dwelling.

2:11:23So that will be taken care of.

2:11:25Planning staff have written a positive report

2:11:27and we're in support of all the conditions

2:11:30and I seek a committee's approval

2:11:32on here to answer any questions.

2:11:35Thank you.

2:11:36If I want to wait right there,

2:11:37are there any members of the public present

2:11:40who would like to speak to this?

2:11:44I still see anyone in the chamber,

2:11:47anyone online, Madam Secretary Treasurer.

2:11:50Chair Smith, I can confirm no phone calls.

2:11:53Thank you.

2:11:55Do we have any questions for this applicant?

2:12:00I don't see any questions.

2:12:04I do have two questions.

2:12:07Are there any trees that are impacted on this?

2:12:11There, I believe there's a couple of trees

2:12:13that will be impacted

2:12:18in more in the heart of the lot.

2:12:20Yes.

2:12:21Okay, thank you.

2:12:22And the other question is,

2:12:25I wasn't entirely sure if,

2:12:28I don't believe that this is in the Heritage Conservation

2:12:32District, but is it considered an adjacent property

2:12:36that would fall under Heritage?

2:12:40Is there anyone from staff that can answer that?

2:12:46To the chair, Heritage Planning staff have reviewed this

2:12:50and don't have any comments on this application.

2:12:52Thank you very much.

2:12:53That was my next question.

2:12:55So I appreciate your thoroughness.

2:12:58Any other questions from committee members?

2:13:02Seeing none, committee, what is your pleasure?

2:13:07Do we wish to entertain a motion?

2:13:10Members, a good fellow.

2:13:13Yes, I move approval with conditions as noted

2:13:16in the staff comments.

2:13:19Do we have a seconder?

2:13:21Member Hamilton, is there any discussion

2:13:25on the motion in front of us?

2:13:27Seeing none, Madam Secretary Treasurer,

2:13:30will you take the ball from here?

2:13:33Thank you, chair.

2:13:34Committee members, please indicate your vote

2:13:35by responding in favor or opposed to the motion,

2:13:38which is to approve the consent and the variance applications

2:13:42with the recommended conditions

2:13:45and revised conditions that were provided.

2:13:48Chair Smith.

2:13:48In favor.

2:13:50Member Goodfellow.

2:13:51In favor.

2:13:52Member Hamilton.

2:13:54In favor.

2:13:55Member Pike.

2:13:57In favor.

2:13:58Member Seyer.

2:13:59In favor.

2:13:59Member Spears.

2:14:00In favor.

2:14:01That's carried, chair.

2:14:03Your application has been approved.

2:14:05You're free to leave the meeting.

2:14:06Thank you.

2:14:20I wonder if we can take a few moments

2:14:22to break for just some personal time.

2:14:28Five minutes, perhaps.

2:14:30Do we need a motion or do I just rule?

2:14:45All those in favor?

2:14:49We are adjourned for five minutes.

2:20:43I would like to call the Committee of Adjustment,

2:20:46September 14th meeting back to order.

2:20:51And at this point, I would like to ask for the next applicant.

2:21:11The next application is file B-13-23B-14-23,

2:21:17B-15-23B-16-23 and B-17-23 and B-18-23.

2:21:24Consent to create six new residential lots

2:21:27and one easement for sanitary servicing

2:21:29with one retained residential lot at 300 Water Street.

2:21:34I'll note for those members of the public

2:21:36that are attending the hearing remotely,

2:21:38if you wish to speak to this application,

2:21:40you can do so by calling in,

2:21:42you can call the number displayed on the screen,

2:21:44that number is 519-822-1260, extension 2524.

2:21:49And when you call in, staff will give you instructions

2:21:51on how you can delegate remotely.

2:21:54I'll also note that correspondence was received

2:21:56after the comment deadline from Lauren Arorch,

2:21:59resident on Elson Drive,

2:22:02with concerns about the application

2:22:03and that correspondence has been circulated

2:22:05to the Committee members and the applicant.

2:22:08As well, I'll note that a correction

2:22:10to this application was made on August 30th, 2023.

2:22:14A new public notice revised severance sketch,

2:22:16application forms and cover letter

2:22:18were issued noting a change to the frontage

2:22:21of the proposed retained lands.

2:22:26Welcome back.

2:22:27Can you state your name for the record, please?

2:22:29Yes, Jeff Buesman.

2:22:31And your relationship to the application.

2:22:33I'm the agent for the applicant.

2:22:35And was the sign posted as per the Planning Act?

2:22:37Yes, it was.

2:22:38And have you read staff's comments?

2:22:39Yes.

2:22:41And do you have any comment about staff's comments?

2:22:44Are you in agreement?

2:22:45They're all positive and supportive.

2:22:46And I'd like to just take a couple of minutes

2:22:48to review the application.

2:22:50Please, you have 10 minutes.

2:22:52If we could put on the screen.

2:22:55So this property has gone through a lot of planning process

2:22:59in terms of there was a zone change approved

2:23:02for the fundamental layout that we see.

2:23:06And so a lot of the studies and so on have been done

2:23:10or are near or have been done and have to

2:23:14for that zone change.

2:23:15So in this case, we're proposing six townhouse units

2:23:21facing Water Street.

2:23:22You can see them all.

2:23:24And then at the bottom is a triangle left over.

2:23:27That'll be the residential dwelling,

2:23:29a single family detached dwelling.

2:23:32And then because there are no sewers on Denver Road,

2:23:35there's going to be an easement for a sanitary sewer

2:23:39for that house on this orientation on the right side

2:23:45of the parcel, what we call lands to be severed number six.

2:23:50One small detail and discussion with city staff

2:23:53that easement is gonna be 4.5 meters wide instead of three.

2:23:56That's not a big deal.

2:23:58It's the same location and the same functioning

2:24:02will be that easement.

2:24:05A lot of the steps, like I said,

2:24:08steps and studies have been done and approved.

2:24:12The builder asked me to note that the intention is to use,

2:24:16have solar on the roofs of these dwellings.

2:24:21Also be using heat pumps so that that effect

2:24:24is a lot less carbon footprint impact.

2:24:27Also these units are being built

2:24:30with a focus towards rental.

2:24:32They're intended for rental accommodation.

2:24:36If there's any questions or comments I can answer,

2:24:39I'd be glad to.

2:24:41Thank you very much.

2:24:43Are there any members of the public present

2:24:45who would wish to speak to this application?

2:24:50I see, I don't see any members of the chamber

2:24:55who would like to comment on this.

2:24:57Are there any online?

2:24:59Chair Smith, I can confirm no delegation requests.

2:25:02Thank you, Madam Secretary Treasurer.

2:25:04Committee members, do you have any questions

2:25:06of this applicant?

2:25:10Member Goodfellow.

2:25:12Yes, through the chair to the applicant

2:25:14and perhaps just a question out of curiosity,

2:25:17but I noted that the groundwater levels

2:25:20are potentially a challenge at this site.

2:25:23Can you comment on that?

2:25:29It has been addressed for the engineering

2:25:31that's been addressed appropriately

2:25:36or it will be addressed appropriately.

2:25:37I don't know the details.

2:25:40Any comments?

2:25:41No, it's taken care of.

2:25:44Yeah.

2:25:45Yeah, and again, thank you for that.

2:25:46I was more curious than anything.

2:25:49And just a second question,

2:25:51groundwater seems to be the topic of the day.

2:25:53So I will ask the question about groundwater.

2:25:55And similarly, is it being addressed

2:25:57through some of the other processes?

2:26:00Like, I mean, there's gonna be like

2:26:03the big grading plan, stormwater management plan,

2:26:05all that's work is going to be done

2:26:06or as part of the conditions.

2:26:07Is that your question?

2:26:09Yes, it is my question.

2:26:11And I guess my follow up to that is then,

2:26:15is there going to be kind of a stormwater management area

2:26:20on the properties so that the additional

2:26:23stormwater generator can be?

2:26:25I haven't seen the stormwater management plan myself

2:26:27so I don't know the details of that.

2:26:29I know it's all been designed already

2:26:32and maybe I should refresh myself with the details

2:26:34of these designs and I did not apologize.

2:26:37No, that's fine.

2:26:39Thank you.

2:26:41Thank you.

2:26:42Member Goodfellow, any other questions of this applicant?

2:26:51I do not see any other questions.

2:26:54Last call for anyone online who would like to speak to this.

2:27:03Chair Smith, I can confirm no other delegation requests.

2:27:07Thank you.

2:27:08At this point, I'll go into committee.

2:27:10Committee members, do we have a motion?

2:27:19Member Goodfellow.

2:27:21I motion to approve the application

2:27:23with the conditions as noted by city staff.

2:27:27Do we have a seconder?

2:27:29Member Spears.

2:27:32Any discussion on the motion before us?

2:27:36Seeing none, Madam Secretary Treasurer,

2:27:39can you call the vote?

2:27:42Thank you, Chair and Chair Smith.

2:27:43Before we take the vote,

2:27:44I just wanted to ask one point of clarification

2:27:47from the applicant or the agent.

2:27:50The agent did reference that the sanitary easement

2:27:54is now going to be 4.5 meters wide, I believe.

2:27:57I know we had three meters originally

2:28:00as well as an area of 84 square meters.

2:28:05I just wanted to know if that is correct, which...

2:28:08It's going to be 4.5 meters wide.

2:28:104.5.

2:28:11I'm saying yes.

2:28:12Okay, all right, thank you.

2:28:15Okay, committee members, please indicate your vote

2:28:17by responding in favor or opposed to the motion,

2:28:19which is to approve the applications

2:28:21with the recommended conditions.

2:28:25Chair Smith.

2:28:26In favor.

2:28:29Member Goodfellow.

2:28:30In favor.

2:28:30Member Hamilton.

2:28:32In favor.

2:28:33Member Pike.

2:28:35In favor.

2:28:36Member Sayer.

2:28:37In favor.

2:28:38And Member Spears.

2:28:39In favor.

2:28:40That's carried, Chair.

2:28:42Thank you, your application has been approved.

2:28:45You're free to leave the meeting.

2:28:46Thank you.

2:28:47Thank you.

2:28:53Madam Secretary Treasurer,

2:28:55may we have the next application?

2:29:02The next application is file A-65-23,

2:29:05variances to permit additional residential dwelling unit use,

2:29:09including location in front yard

2:29:11and reduced distance to primary dwelling

2:29:13at 549 Watson Parkway South.

2:29:17I'll also note for those attending the hearing remotely,

2:29:19if you wish to speak to this application,

2:29:21you can do so by calling the number displayed on the screen.

2:29:24That number is 519-822-1260, extension 2524.

2:29:30And when you call in, staff will give you instructions

2:29:32on how you can delegate.

2:29:35Is the applicant present?

2:29:38When I see a face on the screen,

2:29:41are you the applicant?

2:29:43And if you are, can you state your name

2:29:45and your relationship to the application?

2:29:49I am the applicant.

2:29:51And can you tell me if the sign was posted

2:29:54as per the Planning Act?

2:29:55The signs were posted as per the Planning Act, yes.

2:29:59Thank you.

2:30:00You have, I suppose, seen staff's comments,

2:30:05and do you have any comment on those?

2:30:08I have seen them and they're favorable and I'm fine with them.

2:30:12Well, you have 10 minutes to elaborate on your application.

2:30:16Go ahead.

2:30:18I don't need to elaborate, I'm fine with what's there.

2:30:25After that long-winded delegation,

2:30:27I'm going to see if there are any members of the public

2:30:30who would like to have questions on this application.

2:30:34I don't see anyone in the chamber.

2:30:36Are there any delegates online?

2:30:39Chair Smith, there's no calls.

2:30:41Thank you.

2:30:42Committee members, do you have any questions

2:30:43for this applicant?

2:30:49I don't see any and at this point,

2:30:53I will turn to my colleagues on the committee

2:30:55and we'll go into committee two.

2:30:57Oh, Member Hamilton, sorry.

2:31:00Sorry, I was just going to move approval, I can wait.

2:31:06We have a motion.

2:31:07Move by Member Hamilton.

2:31:10Do we have a seconder?

2:31:14Member Goodfellow, is there any discussion or debate

2:31:17on the motion before us?

2:31:22Seeing none, Madam Secretary Treasurer,

2:31:24will you handle the formalities?

2:31:27Thank you, Chair, Committee members,

2:31:28please indicate your vote by responding in favor

2:31:30or opposed to the motion,

2:31:31which is to approve the application.

2:31:34Chair Smith?

2:31:35In favor.

2:31:36Member Goodfellow?

2:31:37In favor.

2:31:38Member Hamilton?

2:31:39In favor.

2:31:41Member Pike?

2:31:42In favor.

2:31:43Member Seher?

2:31:43In favor.

2:31:44And Member Spears?

2:31:45In favor.

2:31:46That's carried, Chair.

2:31:48Your application has been approved

2:31:49and you're free to leave the meeting.

2:31:52Thank you.

2:31:53Thank you.

2:32:03Madam Secretary Treasurer,

2:32:04I believe we have one more application.

2:32:10The last application is file A-66-23,

2:32:14variances to permit reduced rear yard setback

2:32:16for proposed attached carport and increased fence height

2:32:19and front and side yards at Seven Brighton Street.

2:32:23I'll also note for those attending remotely,

2:32:25if you wish to speak to this application,

2:32:26you can call in,

2:32:29you can call the number displayed on the screen,

2:32:31which is 519-822-1260, extension 2524.

2:32:37And when you call in, staff will give you instructions

2:32:39on how you can delegate remotely.

2:32:42Is the applicant present?

2:32:44Please approach the podium

2:32:47and state your name and your relationship

2:32:49to the application.

2:32:51Hi, my name is Joe Swindlerhurst and I'm the applicant.

2:32:54And can you tell me if the sign was posted

2:32:57as per the Planning Act?

2:32:58Yes, as per Planning Act.

2:33:00And have you read staff's comments

2:33:01and are you in agreement?

2:33:02Yes.

2:33:04Very well, you have 10 minutes

2:33:06to which you can make your case with the committee.

2:33:11I will keep this brief and a little elaboration.

2:33:16If you could pull up the photo of the site plan,

2:33:21or yeah, the drawing of the site plan,

2:33:24that would be helpful.

2:33:25I'd like to thank everyone in the chambers.

2:33:27Also a special thanks to Eric

2:33:30for tolerating my new exposure here.

2:33:33I've never been through this process before.

2:33:36It's been enlightening and pleasurable

2:33:40thanks to his help and Andrews as well, Michelle.

2:33:45Providing this little background,

2:33:49we, my wife and I four years ago

2:33:52started a foster two, five and a three year old

2:33:57that needed help.

2:33:58And we are now four years in nearly a week away, I guess,

2:34:04but in full adoption now.

2:34:07So we're happy family budding on this residence,

2:34:11in this residence and we would like to,

2:34:15or I would like to elaborate a little bit

2:34:16on my coloring there.

2:34:18The children were active participants

2:34:20in helping me pick the colors they wanted to see

2:34:22for my artwork and I think it's quite colorful.

2:34:25But our corner lot here,

2:34:29as one of the previous members or applicants had stated,

2:34:34faces sumac technically is our front

2:34:38as the drawing shows and as our Google map view.

2:34:42If any of you could would wanted to Google seven Brighton,

2:34:46you could see we actually face Brighton, the house front.

2:34:51So it's a little unique and when it was built,

2:34:53this was wonderful, but in all intents and purposes,

2:34:59our back, I'm sorry, our side yard shows 14.

2:35:03I'm sorry, I'm using feet.

2:35:04That's because of the survey had that.

2:35:07But there's 4.27, the conversion for what is a side yard

2:35:13in essence is a backyard,

2:35:14dependent upon how you interpret that.

2:35:17What we're trying to do is provide a safe,

2:35:21fenced area that the children can play in, we can enjoy.

2:35:25And the neighborhood could enjoy as well,

2:35:28based on the fact that it wouldn't scare every move,

2:35:31I guess, or catch the children's ball.

2:35:35The rear yard set back, again,

2:35:40a matter of circumstance that it's actually

2:35:44in usable since our side yard.

2:35:47So we're trying our best to conform,

2:35:50again caught in between a couple of bylaws,

2:35:52the new one coming in 23.

2:35:56But yeah, all the fence heights are all within

2:36:01regulation height.

2:36:02What we're asking for is an amendment

2:36:05to actually put them into a usable area,

2:36:08rather than how it would be orchestrated

2:36:11if it was a typical lot with our house facing sumac.

2:36:15I would not want a fence in our front yard.

2:36:20But as it is, it is a side.

2:36:21So what this does is gives us an ability

2:36:26from within our home to look at a well designed

2:36:31fence, accent lighting, garden sense,

2:36:35everything from hanging plant to the gardens along the side.

2:36:39So we have quite the vision for what we would create.

2:36:43And it would also give us that privacy

2:36:46from the neighborhood that we either back onto.

2:36:49I don't know if there is a copy of the actual survey

2:36:51in the, there should have been one sent,

2:36:57if you could pull that out just for what it'll show.

2:37:10Oh, could be, yeah, thank you.

2:37:13So our side yard, which is part of where variance is applied,

2:37:20I would call that our backyard, if that makes sense to you.

2:37:23If we're, I don't know how to explain this.

2:37:28And if I'm not getting there, I'm sorry, I'm not part,

2:37:32I'm trying to say that the backyard that's to the right,

2:37:36which is actually a side yard, there is an adjoining driveway,

2:37:40which basically runs up beside the bedroom

2:37:43at the back of the home, the kitchen and bathroom.

2:37:47And by allowing the fence and the variance application

2:37:51to go through, we would provide a noise barrier

2:37:54and a visual barrier from what is parked there

2:38:00from time to time.

2:38:01So it actually just provides a whole,

2:38:04I guess a nest around the home.

2:38:07So I thank you again for your time.

2:38:12And that's all, thanks.

2:38:24Sorry, a button challenge.

2:38:27Thank you for your presentation.

2:38:28If you want to wait right there.

2:38:29And are there any members of the audience

2:38:33who would like to address this application?

2:38:37Seeing none, are there any online?

2:38:40Chair Smith, I can confirm no delegation requests.

2:38:44And committee members, any questions of this applicant?

2:38:52Just to comment to staff, I want to thank you very much

2:38:56for helping me through this.

2:38:59The visuals were a little problematic for me.

2:39:01I had trouble understanding them,

2:39:03but your written description really helped me through it.

2:39:06So thank you very much.

2:39:09Any other questions or comments?

2:39:14At this point, we'll go into committee

2:39:16to consider this application.

2:39:19Committee members, do we have a motion?

2:39:23Member Pike.

2:39:25Move for approval with conditions.

2:39:28Do we have a seconder?

2:39:30Member Sayers, any discussion?

2:39:38I see no discussion, so we will turn it over

2:39:41to Madam Secretary Treasurer.

2:39:44Thank you, Chair.

2:39:45Committee members, please indicate your vote

2:39:48by responding in favor or opposed to the motion,

2:39:50which is to approve the application

2:39:52with the two recommended conditions.

2:39:54Chair Smith?

2:39:55In favor.

2:39:56Member Goodfellow?

2:39:57In favor.

2:39:59Member Hamilton?

2:40:00in favor.

2:40:01Member Pike.

2:40:03In favor.

2:40:04Member Seher.

2:40:05In favor.

2:40:06And Member Spears.

2:40:07In favor.

2:40:08That's carried, Chair.

2:40:09Thank you.

2:40:10Your application has been approved and you're free to leave the meeting.

2:40:13Thank you.

2:40:14Thank you.

2:40:20Secretary Treasurer, are there any more applications?

2:40:23Chair Smith, I can confirm there's no more applications.

2:40:29I do have one quick staff announcement, though.

2:40:31Yes, please.

2:40:34I did want to advise today that today was member Klein's last hearing.

2:40:39Unfortunately, she did have to leave the meeting early, but this is an opportunity for us all

2:40:45to take a moment to recognize her for her dedication to the committee since her appointment

2:40:49last year.

2:40:50So we will be sending a token of appreciation for her service and are sending her our best

2:40:55wishes.

2:40:56And finally, as this is created a vacancy staff will be working with the city clerk's

2:41:01office to determine the next steps in filling this vacancy.

2:41:06Thank you, Madam Secretary Treasurer.

2:41:08And regrettably, member Klein has left the meeting and unfortunately we can't express

2:41:15her our best wishes in person, but I'm sure at a future meeting we'll be able to express

2:41:23a small token of our appreciation.

2:41:26I just wanted to thank member Klein for her attention and diligence and for her thoughtful

2:41:32comments and participation.

2:41:34She was a well-received member and she will be missed.

2:41:39So at that, if there's no more questions or comments, I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

2:41:51Member Spears.

2:41:52I move to adjourn.

2:41:56Seconded by Member Goodfellow.

2:41:57All those in favor?

2:41:59We stand adjourned.

2:42:00Thank you, committee members.