Committee of Adjustment Meeting: Variance Applications Heard

The Committee of Adjustment heard multiple minor variance applications, with the longest discussion focused on Application 038-2026 for 52 Chartwell Road. Committee members and residents questioned the requested driveway and height variances, inconsistencies between the plans and the applicant's presentation, parking impacts, and neighbourhood fit. The committee also deferred Application 066 of 2026 at 2279 Whistling Springs and approved several other residential and mixed-use variance applications, including 111 Gloucester Avenue, 3020 Pine Glenn Road, 236 Watson Avenue, 473 Bellwood Avenue, and 1067 Truman Avenue.

Topics Discussed

1. 52 CHARTWELL ROAD: rehearing on four variances for additional residential units

Application 038-2026 for 52 Chartwell Road was reheard through a formal hearing process. The applicant, represented by planner Paul Cronis, sought four variances tied to repurposing the building and adding two additional residential units. Cronis told the committee, "We're here before you to effectively seek four variances," including relief connected to parking and site layout.

Residents spoke in opposition, including Anna Fargo, Esther Falconer, and Matthew Falah. Fargo argued the proposal reflected a broader intensification strategy rather than a modest residential change, quoting from material published by the owner about a phased approach to building, renting, and later converting units to condominium title. Falconer raised drainage concerns tied to nearby development, and Falah questioned why his own property had been held to a much smaller driveway width.

2. 52 CHARTWELL ROAD: driveway width, height, and plan consistency challenged

A major part of the discussion focused on the driveway variance. Residents and committee members repeatedly returned to the scale of the paved area on the corner lot and whether the application fairly reflected what was on site. Matthew Falah asked, "Why do why didn't I get 9.4 but someone else is getting 28?"

Committee members also challenged the requested height variance and the consistency of the submitted materials. One member said, "So this drawing is very inconsistent with the table you've just presented... And as you know, any approvals get tied to the plans." The concern was that the justification offered at the hearing did not clearly match the drawings filed with the application.

The discussion ended with members indicating they were not satisfied the application materials clearly established what was being approved.

3. 52 CHARTWELL ROAD: resident opposition on parking, flooding, and neighbourhood impact

Residents said the proposal would intensify parking and hardscaping on a prominent corner lot. Fargo told the committee the owner's published plan described a three-phase process: "Phase one is the build... Phase two, the occupation... Phase three, the strike," with a later condominium conversion once the building was occupied.

Falconer focused on drainage and flooding. She said, "One of the main things I wanted to bring up was flooding in that corner," adding that "two major floods" in 2025 had been linked to inadequate drainage after nearby construction. She said the issue affected 58 Chartwell, 64 Chartwell, 72 Chartwell and three houses on Howard.

The committee ultimately denied the application.

4. PARKING VARIANCES AT 3020 PINE GLENN ROAD: reduced parking approved

Application 070 of 2026 at 3020 Pine Glenn Road involved a vacant mixed-use site in Palermo Village. The applicant sought two parking variances: visitor parking of 0.1 spaces per residential unit instead of 0.2, and commercial parking of one space per 60 square metres of net floor area instead of one per 24 square metres. The application was presented as necessary to restart site and building design work.

In support, the applicant said, "So we are requesting the approval of parking related variances as follows. Firstly, to permit a parking rate of 0.1 visitor parking space per residential unit... And the second variance is to prevent a parking rate of one space for every 60 me squared of net floor area on the first story."

The committee approved the application with conditions, including a four-year building permit deadline.

5. OTHER RESIDENTIAL VARIANCE APPLICATIONS: several approvals with conditions

The committee approved several other applications:

• 111 Gloucester Avenue: approved as amended after revisions. A committee member told the applicant, "I appreciate that you took the time to work with the neighbors, Mr. Martino, and made the necessarily changes."
• 236 Watson Avenue: approved with conditions tied to the submitted plans dated March 27, 2026. In moving approval, Mr. Dicki said he was "satisfied that the variances are minor in nature and conform to the four tests under the planning act."
• 473 Bellwood Avenue: approved for variances related to floor area, garage area, and front yard setback for a new two-storey home.
• 1067 Truman Avenue: approved for three minor variances to allow a second-floor addition above an existing garage.
• 297 Oakwalk Drive, Unit 104: approved for a principal entrance variance. Miss Price said there were "no changes proposed to the building exterior, building envelope or exit configuration."
• 343 Douglas Avenue: the committee approved a second-unit dwelling variance and also heard a separate application for demolition and construction of a new dwelling.
• 2279 Whistling Springs: deferred.

Motions

• Application 066 of 2026 - 2279 Whistling Springs — Deferred
• Application 038-2026 - 52 Chartwell Road — Denied
• Application 067 of 2026 - 297 Oakwalk Drive, Unit 104 — Approved
• Application 068 of 2026 - 111 Gloucester Avenue — Approved as amended
• Garage extension / accessory dwelling unit application — Approved
• Application 070 of 2026 - 3020 Pine Glenn Road — Approved with conditions, including a 4-year building permit deadline
• Application 071 of 2026 - 1143 Chapelton Place — Approved
• Application 072 of 2026 - 343 Douglas Avenue (second unit dwelling in basement) — Approved
• Application at 343 Douglas Avenue for demolition and new dwelling — Heard; disposition not clearly stated in the notes provided
• Application 073 of 2026 - 236 Watson Avenue — Approved with conditions
• Application 074 of 2026 - 473 Bellwood Avenue — Approved with conditions
• Application 075 of 2026 - 1067 Truman Avenue — Approved with conditions
• Final site plan application referenced at end of record — Approved with a 2-year building permit deadline

Attendees

The notes provided do not include a complete attendance list. Committee members explicitly identified in the record include: - Mr. Towski - Miss McFrino - Mr. Dicki - Miss Price - Miss Bright

Residents, applicants, and speakers specifically mentioned include: - Paul Cronis - Anna Fargo - Esther Falconer - Matthew Falah - Terry Martino - Mr. Martin