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Confusing planning application is deferred By Liz Dadson |
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John Howard's plan to rezone property in Tiverton to permit a three-unit row dwelling, have changed. However, the Bruce County planning department had recommended approval of the proposal. So, rather than scrap the application, the Kincardine planning advisory committee has agreed to defer it. That was the decision at the committee meeting last night (Oct. 12). Councillor Randy Roppel (Ward 3) interrupted the proceedings at the start, noting that the applicant and the Tiverton and District Ratepayers' Association had come to an agreement to change the rezoning to R1, allowing for a single family dwelling rather than multi-unit housing. Councillor Maureen Couture called a point of order, that the committee should actually hear the planning report first. Planner Bill Hollo presented the report, noting the application was to change the zoning to R3 from R4 to facilitate creation of one new residential lot for construction of the tri-plex row housing. The property is at the corner of Ross Street and McKay Street in Tiverton. Six letters/E-mail messages were received from neighbouring property owners, opposing the plan, said Hollo. Two of the writers made reference to an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) decision in 2008, upholding a previous council's rejection of a 12-unit building on that property. "I have since spoken to Mr. Howard about reverting to an R1 zone," said Hollo. "If the planning advisory committee decides not to proceed, the best route would be to defer the application rather than turn it down." He also noted that, unlike the original application for 12 units, this one is for only three units on the site. Plus, it would fit in better with the neighbourhood, in scale, size and appearance. Roppel said this is a unique situation. "There were concerns from the neighbours and the ratepayers' association," he said. "So, last night they met with the property owner (Howard) and had a discussion. John (Howard) said he wanted to change it to an R1 zone and had contacted the county planning department to adjust the notice but it wasn't done. He (Howard) agrees that it should be an R1 zone." Bob Wilson, chairman of the ratepayers' association, said this application is an embarrassment to the Bruce County planning department. "Three weeks ago, John Howard contacted (Bruce County planner) Bruce Stickney about changing this application to an R1 zone," he said. "Bruce (Stickney) said he could not do that. If he had listened to John, we would not have to be here today."
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Hollo
clarified that the question to the planning department was whether the
application could be stopped at that point, and the answer was that it
would cost more money to reapply. Plus, it would take more time to
renotify and go through the process again. However, if Howard were to get the application deferred and changes made to switch to an R1 zone, the bylaw could be back to the planning advisory committee much quicker, said Hollo. Howard clarified that he was told by Stickney to keep his options open by going to an R3 zone. That way he could build a multi-unit, duplex or single family dwelling on the property. "My idea is to sell the lot and the buyers can put up what they want," said Howard. "It's a small lot, likely best for a single family home." He said he didn't want to reapply and lose his $2,200. "So, if the committee decides to defer, you're in agreement with that?" asked Couture. "Yes," said Howard. "If Mr. Howard wants to sell the lot and not develop it, should we put any designation on it at all?" asked councillor Kenneth Craig. "Or should we designate it as Planned Development and leave the options to the buyer not the seller?" The planning advisory committee agreed to defer the application to the November planning meeting. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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