Grimsby Committee of Adjustment Meeting – August 18, 2026

Grimsby's Committee of Adjustment met on August 18, 2026 to hear consent and minor variance applications affecting several properties. The committee approved the Bruce Trail land severance at 59 Park Road South, deferred the fence variance at 306 Main Street East, approved applications at 28 St. Andrews Avenue, 6 Morris Crescent, and 2 Balmoral Avenue, and denied the application for 214 Main Street East.

Topics Discussed

1. BRUCE TRAIL LAND SEVERANCE: 59 Park Road South

Application B03-26 sought consent to sever about 1.53 hectares and convey the land to the Bruce Trail Conservancy, while retaining about 0.83 hectares with the existing house. Planning staff recommended approval. Agency comments included no objections from Development Engineering and the NPCA, while Niagara Region required a maintenance agreement for the existing sewage system. Bruce Trail Conservancy representative Joel Swaggerman said, "our mission is preserving a ribbon of wilderness for everyone forever," and said the transfer would help protect the Bruce Trail corridor. The application was approved unanimously.

2. FENCE VARIANCE DEFERRED OVER DRIVEWAY SIGHTLINES: 306 Main Street East

Application A09-26 sought to legalize an existing wood acoustic privacy fence with variances for a 0.51 m setback from the street line where 4.5 m is required, and a 2.07 m height where 2.0 m is permitted. Planning staff said "the purpose of this application is to legalize the wood acoustic privacy fence that has already been constructed by the homebuilder." A nearby resident said he and his wife now back into their driveway for safety and added, "if I have an Amazon delivery or Door Dash guy or contractor, you know, they pull straight in and then they back out again and and that's the concern." Committee member Adam said, "I share the same concerns about the this uh tool shed being right on the property line," though that comment appears to have referred to another file; the committee's concern on this item was the lack of applicant attendance and the need for another look at the site. The committee voted unanimously to defer the application.

3. THREE-UNIT DWELLING VARIANCE: 50 Whitaker Avenue

Application A12-26 requested variances tied to a property with three residential units, including a driveway width of 8.53 m at the street line where 6.0 m is permitted, and a small variance for eaves and gutters. Planning staff recommended approval. Resident Aante Hurstik objected, saying, "We are absolutely opposed to this. It is historically a quiet neighborhood and the density of the neighborhood is very peaceful. We've got a lot of privacy. It's a very family oriented neighborhood. It's not a very minor change to the driveway. Everybody has either single car driveways or maybe a double car driveway. This will be a triple car driveway that you're going to be putting in there." Another speaker asked, "If it's going to accommodate just the residents that are living there, what about visitors?" The notes indicate a motion was made to approve the application, but the final vote result is not clearly stated in the material provided.

4. ST. ANDREWS AND MORRIS CRESCENT VARIANCES APPROVED

Application A13-26 for 28 St. Andrews Avenue sought variances to build a covered front porch, carport, and rear deck. Committee member Reg Freake said after a site visit, "I feel very confident that we could lose that clause and saved the homeowner some money and some grief with that," referring to the archaeological condition. The application was approved with that condition removed.

Application A15-26 for 6 Morris Crescent sought relief to replace and enlarge a rear deck and covered porch. Freake moved approval "for six Morris and Crescent to permit a rear yard deck encroachment of 5.8 8 m" and a covered porch encroachment beyond what the zoning bylaw permits. The application was approved unanimously.

5. MAIN STREET EAST APPLICATION DENIED AFTER SHED AND SETBACK DEBATE: 214 Main Street East

Application A14-26 for 214 Main Street East sought to legalize a pool enclosure and tool shed and permit a detached garage, including requests related to lot coverage and setbacks. Neighbour comments focused on the condition of the shed and its location near the lot line. One neighbour said they "repeatedly see the derelic tool shed at the rear of 214 Main Street East" and argued it "should be ordered torn down." Another speaker said, "The mature trees in the front yard of 214 Main Street East would have to be removed, taken away from the aesthetics of the neighborhood." Committee member Don Howe said, "I don't have as much a concern about that request than I do with the zero lot line reduction at the back." Nick DiFlavio said, "I can't support that." The application was denied.

Motions

• B03-26 – 59 Park Road South: Approved unanimously
• A09-26 – 306 Main Street East: Deferred unanimously
• A13-26 – 28 St. Andrews Avenue: Approved
• A15-26 – 6 Morris Crescent: Approved unanimously
• 2 Balmoral Avenue / File noted as 816-26 / A16-26 in meeting notes: Approved
• A14-26 – 214 Main Street East: Denied

Attendees

• Daniel Collins (Chair)
• Kevin Antonitis
• Fay Billing
• Adam Mer (online)

Absent: - Dylan Bailey