Richmond Hill Committee of Adjustment Meeting - August 6, 2026

The Richmond Hill Committee of Adjustment considered two property applications on Aug. 6, 2026: a consent and minor variance proposal at 389 Becker Road and a setback variance for an accessory structure at 143 Regent Street. The committee approved the Becker Road applications 4-1 and approved the Regent Street application 2-1. In both cases, neighbours raised specific objections about lot fit, setbacks, tree impacts and the history of the applications.

Topics Discussed

• 389 BECKER ROAD: CONSENT AND MINOR VARIANCES APPROVED
  The committee considered applications B-032-22, A-071-22 and A-092-22 to sever 389 Becker Road into two residential lots. Planning staff supported the proposal. A presenter told the committee, "In my professional planning opinion, the consent application and two minor variance application should be approved." Staff said the proposal would create one additional dwelling, with two-storey homes about 9.2 metres high, below the 11-metre zoning maximum. The existing lot was described as 1.68 times the minimum required lot area, while the two proposed lots would each have about 80% of the required frontage and lot area.

• BECKER ROAD: TREE RETENTION AND LOT FIT DEBATED
  The committee received two letters of opposition from the owner of 385 Becker Road. Discussion focused on a side yard variance reducing one setback from 1.2 metres to 0.93 metres, while the other side yard remained compliant. Tree preservation was a central issue. The applicant said a backyard tree more than 100 years old would be retained and that the driveway had been narrowed to stay within the tree protection zone, though other trees along the driveway route would be removed. Member Payne said, "I think it's very hard to replace a 100-year-old tree. And there are two of them that are marked here to be removed. And I think the current property as is has two lovely very mature trees in the back and many in the front. So, I can't support this."

• BECKER ROAD: MEMBER QUESTIONS ABOUT PROPERTY CONDITION
  Member Payne also questioned the condition of 389 Becker Road after a site visit, saying it appeared to be in poor condition and that the backyard was overgrown. The notes indicate the owner had been away from the property for four years and had recently moved to a newly built house.

• 143 REGENT STREET: CABANA SETBACK VARIANCE APPROVED
  The committee considered application A038/22 for 143 Regent Street, involving an accessory structure described in the meeting notes as a cabana or sunroom. The owner sought a side yard setback of 0.24 metres. The matter returned after an earlier deferral and prior opposition. The applicant said changes had been made since the earlier hearing, including repositioning eavestroughs and treating a utility shed as a fence. Staff said an updated survey and surveyor's letter confirmed the current condition and that drainage and building issues had been addressed. Member Calvis moved approval, saying, "I'm inclined to provide a motion to approve the application, so I'd like to make a motion for 143 Regent Street uh, to uh, file number A038/2222uh, to be approved subject to the terms and conditions in the city staff report."

• REGENT STREET: NEIGHBOUR OBJECTS TO LOCATION OF STRUCTURE
  Brian Price of 141 Regent Street objected to the structure's placement near the lot line. He told the committee, "Now that a cabana's been built, which I have to accept, but the cabana is actually on the property line. And and not only is it is it on the property line, it oversees the property line line the hangover." He also argued the structure had been built without permits and said he had attended a previous hearing on the same matter.

• NOTICE OF DEFERRALS RAISED DURING PUBLIC PORTION
  Later in the meeting, a resident complained about notice for a deferred application at 16 Kimberly Court, saying the change appeared only on the city website and not through direct notice. The resident told the committee, "I put my time to come here today. It's not fair."

Motions

• Approval of July 16 meeting minutes — Passed unanimously
• Applications B-032-22, A-071-22, A-092-22, 389 Becker Road — Approved, 4-1
• Application A038/22, 143 Regent Street — Approved, 2-1, subject to the terms and conditions in the city staff report
• Adjournment — Passed unanimously

Attendees

• Member Payne
• Member Calvis
• Karen Cilevitz
• Scott Thompson

The provided notes do not list the full attendance roster for the committee.