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Committee Approves Church, Rejects First Street Development - 11 Nov 26
Oakville · November 13, 2026
Okay. Over to you, Mr. Tosski.
>> Wait for you to be taken out of the
meeting.
>> Yep.
We will now hear application
A1 132 2026 at 454 Rebecca and 109
Sagala Drive.
Mr. Nelson as the agent.
Anyone
wants to speak to this application,
please call 9058156095.
>> Good evening, members of the committee.
David Nelson, development consultant,
acting on behalf of the owners of the
subject property, the uh Orthodox Church
of St. Peter and St. Paul.
And the application before you this
evening is under section 452
of the Planning Act, which is an
application to permit uses within the
dwelling known as 109 Sabella Drive.
those uses being similar to the uses on
the balance of the property that
designated community use and is a place
to worship. The property was purchased
from the United Church u
a few years ago and the uh group head
met with town staff in December of 2025
at the pre-conultation meeting to u move
forward with the uh use of the subject
property. So we wanted to point out the
four tests of 451 are not required.
However, we must show conformity with
official plan policies. Um, those
policies have outlined uh both in my
slideshow here, I think they're on slide
number three, and again in the staff
report and excuse me, the indication is
that we have met the requirements of the
official plan. The official plan does
permit um the uh use of um or does
permit
places of worship uh of a scale less
than um two um hectares in size within
the low density residential
designations.
Um [clears throat]
excuse me. the um previous owners of the
property had proposed to separate the uh
dwelling um at 109 Sibella from the
balance of the site and and sell it off.
So as a u means of achieving that they
had applied for a severance application
and a zoning bylaw amendment. The bylaw
amendment was passed by council in March
of 2021.
Reszoned
109 Sabella from CU community use to
RL2-0
which is a low density residential zone.
The uh portion of the site zoned RL2 has
subsequently been reszoned R2 under a
more recent comprehensive review of low
density areas south of Dundai Street.
Next slide, please.
I've outlined here some of the
modifications uh under bylaw 2026 088
and it results in updates to
requirements for sideyards, window
walls, lot coverage, garage area and
residential floor areas that are
different than what was um applicable
under the previous zoning bylaw. There
are in is an introduction of height
requirements based on roof slope,
[snorts]
new driveway setbacks, self landscaping
requirements, minimum yards for
additional resident uh densal units. I
would point out that none of these um
regulations that are in 2026 088 are
applicable to the subject lance because
there is a transition clause in the
bylaw that specifically states that
[snorts]
for an existing uh building the
applicable rules are found under the
bylaw under which the building was
constructed. So in this particular case,
it's the old bylaw 1965-136,
the original consolidated Oakville
Township bylaw. Next slide, please.
It contains the official plan policy. As
I pointed out, this is the information
that's also contained in the staff
report. It points out that we do meet
the requirements of the official plan
and have therefore conformed with the uh
requirement of section 452 to show that
we meet the uh intention of the official
plan. Next slide please.
This is a slide showing the exist
proposed first floor layout. Um this is
a plan showing the use of existing
kitchen. um and dining room and other
facilities on that ground floor for
multi-purpose uh rooms uh that we use
for u study areas um meetings with
clergy and uh members of the
congregation and uh teaching facilities.
Next slide please. [clears throat]
Just indicates what I've stated showing
the changes. Next slide please.
Uh this is the second floor again
showing changes uh to existing bedrooms
and um other spaces on the second floor
to accommodate more multi-purpose rooms
for meetings etc. Next slide please.
Again um showing what the changes are in
multi-purpose as opposed to bedrooms.
Next slide please. in our inclusion.
[clears throat]
Uh the alternative process to what we're
doing this evening is for an application
to a zoning bylaw to return the lands at
109 Sabella to a community use zone. We
consider this as not necessary as we
have addressed requirements
that were put forward in the
pre-conultation meeting in December 25.
um those are indicated in the staff
report and the conclusion there is that
we have met those requirements.
The committee of adjustment is empowered
to hear applications under 6452
and this application does not state any
lands but rather exercise authority
already granted under the planning act.
Ontario planning practice materials and
tribunal decisions consistently state
that a change to a legal non-conforming
use may be permitted where the proposed
uses are similar in nature or more
compatible with surrounding uses and
does not introduce adverse impacts.
We've also noted through
parking study that was done by Paradigm
um transportation solutions that there
is adequate parking on the total site.
The church uses in this case are a
community of young families and young
professionals who would use the
facilities for meeting with religious
leaders for reading and religious
education. We do not anticipate any
adverse impacts to the community as the
hours of operation at the place of
worship and at 109 Sabella Drive will
continue as at the present time. The
building at 109 Sabella is used at the
same time as the buildings at 454
Rebecca Street.
We request that the committee approve
our application under 452.
And I've said here without conditions,
but we have read the staff report and we
are in um agreement with the proposed
condition for a uh zoning occupancy
certificate.
Excuse me. That ends my presentation,
Mr. Chairman.
>> Thank you, Mr. Nelson. Looks like we've
got a case of back to the future here on
this one.
>> Yes.
Committee members, any questions for Mr.
Nelson?
Mr. Dicki?
>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
>> I actually lived in this neighborhood
when I was a kid and was familiar with
St. Paul Pearl's Church and um
throughout the time the um minister and
their his family lived in that house.
When did that it seemed so Did that
change?
[snorts] Um,
>> yes. Yes, it did. Uh, Mr. Dicki, uh, we
had conversation with, um, a gentleman
who was a member of that congregation. I
met him on site one day in in April and
he had indicated to me that early on um
the ministry had indicated that
preferred to live in their own dwellings
and and so the this is one of the
reasons that the church uh had indicated
they wanted to sell off property.
So the the that that building has either
been occupied as by as as a residence
for for the church uses, don't get me
wrong, or it's been vacant.
>> Correct. And it's been vacant as far as
I know over the past couple of years. Uh
when I was out there during the heavy
snowfall, I guess it would been in
February of of this uh year, I noticed
that the driveway had not been plowed,
nor had any of the sidewalks been
shoveled. So, it was certainly vacant at
that time.
um looking [clears throat] through the
um reports that were prepared for the
resoning, I noted through the um
EA that was done, they indicated in
there that there were two residents in
the building at that time, which is
2019.
Yeah. I I just have a problem with
looking at this and and looking at it as
a similar use
and to look at that particular building
and say what was the use of the bu the
building on the day that the zoning
bylaw was passed. I'm I'm thinking it
was it was used as a residential
building for the clergy. I I get that.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying it
wasn't it wasn't used for anybody else.
and and even when you're mentioning
about the residents, let's assume they
were related to the church or whatever.
But now we're turning around and we're
going to you're going to turn it to a
youth center
and the wording of the variance is for a
place of worship. Now, I don't know the
definition of a place of worship and I
apologize for not looking that up. Um,
but
I I'm just concerned by by allowing it
to be used as a place of worship rather
than using some other terminology, we're
not opening it up to some other type of
use that might be less desira. Not less
desirable. I shouldn't quite say it like
that. More of an impact on the
neighbors.
>> Comments.
May I suggest instead of calling it a
place of worship, uh as we know within a
place of worship, there are a variety of
abuses that take place and in most cases
there are offices associated with the
place of worship where the clergy and
secretarial staff meet with congregants.
And I think that is what we want to
emphasize here. It's not using the um
building at 109 Sibella as the actual
place of worship, but using it for uses
associated
with the place of worship.
>> Yeah, I can just jump in here, Mr. I
want to be careful with your suggestion
because that would uh not be in
accordance with the wording of the
variance. But if um perhaps I could ask
Miss Buckerfield
if you could weigh in on this
discussion. Um I I don't want to put
words in your mouth. The way I read your
staff report was
um far more broad than Mr. Dicki's um
indicating. And and as I read it,
the place of worship is a combination of
all the aspects associated with it. and
the staff were not looking at it
specifically as this is what happened in
the church proper and this is what
happened in the uh mans perhaps you
could enlighten us a little please
>> uh through you chair uh thank you for
giving me the opportunity to speak to
this item in reviewing this we were
looking at it as the church property and
how that use that whole property had
been used for church uses and for the
purposes of the church and that consent
to sever the property had never
occurred. Um and so from that
perspective it seemed appropriate that
that building could continue to be used
for church purposes in association with
that um church on the property.
>> Thank you
Dicki. Any follow-up question?
>> Go ahead.
Um, okay. I'm just putting this out for
anybody's comment.
Is it possible that we could put a
condition? So, we approve this, but put
a condition into the approval to say it
could only be used for certain uses like
say a youth center associated with the
church or some wording like that just to
limit the or offices or whatever else
associated with the church. uh just to
limit the the range of religious uses
that it could be used for is that well
I'm asking for everybody's contribution
on that discussion and that idea
>> I guess let me turn that question on you
Mr. ridiculous
because if the as staff has indicated a
place of worship is
um many uses um actual religious service
uh residents meetings um community um
activities dealing with community groups
um I from my understanding Mr. Nelson,
that is what they are asking for is
again I don't want to put words in Miss
Nelson's but instead of having a
community group meet in the uh hall of
the church they would meet in this
building.
So I'm not sure putting
you know conditioning it based on what
Mr. Nelson's asking for. I'm not sure
what we're preventing or what you're
trying to prevent. Uh I see Miss
Buckerfield has her hand up.
>> Uh very chair, you can let um Mr. Dicki
respond to your question first or I can
jump in.
>> Uh
>> please go ahead. I I'm just
>> get wanting to get some comments to get
it in my head. Yeah, please go ahead.
>> Absolutely. So, I just wanted to like
that a place of worship is a defined
term. And so, that when we're dealing
with the zoning bylaw, it's most
appropriate to deal with our defined
terms. Um, and just for your knowledge,
under zoning bylaw 2014014, it means
premises used for the practice of
religion and faith-based spiritual
purposes wherein people assemble for
religious worship, faith-based teaching,
fellowship, and community social
outreach. And I also wanted to flag that
the building itself lends itself to
small gatherings and meetings um just a
few people at a time just based on the
size. So I just wanted to provide that
context for you as you can explore this
further.
>> Great. Thank you. Your point
>> that the ability wouldn't accommodate
anything much more is sort of answering
my concerns. Yeah. So okay, thank you
very much. I I've yeah I'm satisfied.
Thank you. Okay. And I think um Miss
Buckerbilt's response would also address
Mr. Nelson's
earlier I the suggestion on tweaking the
wording. It does not appear that that
would be necessary because all these
uses that are being discussed were
covered off in the definition of a place
of worship. So I I believe it the
variance as worded is correct as it
stands.
There any other questions for Mr.
Nelson?
I see none. Madam Secretary, Treasurer,
has anyone called in to speak to this
matter?
>> We did have uh Mr. Abdal Malik who
called in. I'll move him into the
meeting.
Good evening. Can we get your name and
address, please?
>> Looks like you're still muted.
>> 145 Sibella Drive.
>> Thank you.
>> Yeah. So um
I I see this uh this uh uh COA
requisition is very valuable and
reasonable because uh uh this is really
in the in the uh continuous use of uh of
this place for the service of the church
and uh having it available
uh will be very good support especially
with the limited uh limited places for
say admin for for a small like say uh
couple service with with the uh clergy
or with the priest that will help the
community and help the youth a lot here.
Uh having that available will open more
uh opportunity to our youth and our uh
our kids to uh to have more a chance for
uh to be more happy and more comfortable
using the facility uh for the uh for the
service. uh that eventually we need to
improve the over the uh outcome of the
whole service to the community to serve
everybody and uh I really uh support
very much the uh process here. Thank
you.
>> Thank you for your presentation
committee members. Any questions for the
delegate?
Okay, I see none. Madam Secretary,
Treasurer, just ask one more time if
anyone else has called in.
>> We've had no more calls and no hands in
the audience.
>> Okay. Thank you. And I'll close the
discussion.
Remind the committee again, this is a
section 452 application. So your
considerations are similarity and
compatibility of use, not the four
tests. But I will look for a motion on
this matter.
Mr. Hard Castle.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um
um uh having reviewed this uh the this
application, having undertaken my site
visit, um having um heard the uh
conversation here this evening, um I am
satisfied that uh the uh requested
variance is uh consistent with the
historic use of the site and it will not
pose uh or result in adverse impacts on
the surrounding properties and
neighborhood. Accordingly, I'll put
forward a motion of approval subject to
the condition as it's stated by staff.
Uh that being that the approval expires
uh 2 years the date of the decision if a
zoning certificate has not been issued
for the proposed use.
>> Thank you, Mr. Hardcastle. Is there any
discussion on the motion?
Seeing none, all those in favor of the
motion to approve.
Okay, that is unanimous. Your
application has been approved.
>> Thank you very much, members of the
committee.
>> You're welcome. Have a good evening.
>> Yeah, you too. Take care.
>> Just pause a minute until Miss McCuel
returns to the meeting.
This miss I'll hand the chair back to
Okay, here we go. The unmute will just
on the brick.
Application 133 of 2026
at 82 First Street. Again, that's
application 133 of 2026 at 82 First
Street. And we have Mr. Michael Barton
as the agent. I will recognize that we
have eight letters of objection, four of
whom have uh made requests to speak to
the committee. And those objection
letters were from uh Miss Claudia
Fullerton, Jacqueline Rice Wu, and Yin
Woo. and Jstone of the Lakeside
Residents Association, Miss Anita McKay,
Jerry and Megan Denome, Mark and Vanessa
Bar, Bruce and Penny Grierson, and
Shelby Walker, and Lindsay Sparks.
Okay, Miss Barton, Mr. Barton, go ahead.
>> All right, thank you very much. Um, so
yes, my name is Michael Barton. I'm the
agent uh for the applicant. I provided
this presentation um but it's uh I more
wanted to have some visuals primarily to
have available to discuss. I've read the
comments from staff and uh from the
eight objection letters that were
provided. Um so just a couple of notes
sort of as I get in uh to the
presentation that I wanted to point out.
So, first first off being um there's
been quite a bit of work that's been
done leading up to this point. The
owners uh and I'll get into a little
more detail, but the owners did uh meet
on site with the heritage advisory
committee uh took in uh the the comments
they received there, revised the the
plans and came up with a proposal that
was considered to be uh relatively
acceptable to the committee. and
heritage staff had advised that their
concerns from that perspective have been
addressed. Um, some of the
considerations to be discussed here when
I get into the actual variance is the
the lot itself is 25.91 m wide and
there's a threshold when it comes to
sideyard setbacks of 25 m. So in that
case, you would have a different set of
standards. The sideyards that would be
require be required would actually be
1.8 8 m as opposed to 2.4. Um, if this
lot was just 92 cm narrower. Um, so
again, it's key because the the
sideyards are directly tied to the width
of the lot. And then in this case too,
as as I'll discuss a bit more, the roof
has been designed uh to look like a
sloped roof from all sides from public
realm from neighboring properties, but
is technically a a semiflat roof. So
again the standard becomes 9 m versus 10
m. So if we could go if we see here on
the presentation we see the context map
uh showing the property we are in the
first and second uh heritage district uh
but the the lot or the house itself is
non-contributing. Um so again it is able
to be removed. Uh again this next figure
shows uh the the lot highlighted in its
context of neighboring properties. Um,
if we could go to the next slide, we'll
see this is the a street view of the the
current house that is is on the
property, the one that would be removed.
And just one moment here.
So, as I mentioned, uh, the property is
currently occupied. We see the dwelling
there. This has a low density
residential designation in the first and
second street heritage conservation
district uh and it's zoned uh it's under
the new zoning and I believe it will be
the first property in this area to be
considered under the new bylaw. So it
has the R3 zoning with the SP12. It was
previously the RL3 uh with SP12. So the
new zoning actually came into place
while the proposal was being uh revised
uh based on comments received from the
heritage committee. So on the next slide
um we could see the the side by side. So
on the left side is the current zoning
mapping if you the interactive mapping
if you go on showing the previous zoning
and then on the right is extract from uh
the the new bylaw showing the change to
the R3 zoning. If we go to the next
slide please.
Again in terms of this surrounding
context.
Uh same what I would say as a relative
neighborhood is the lowdensity
residential really the heritage
conservation district and the R3 special
provision 12 zoning. Um when we look at
the neighbor context we can see that
it's characterized by variable lots in
terms of frontage depths areas and
configurations. So that comes into play
when we look at uh setbacks. For
example, under the new zoning, the
setback is based on an average of
zoning. So in this case, the properties
that are to the north and south have
different setbacks. So then when we
average that is where we end up with a
situation uh where the uh the setback
doesn't necessarily make mean that it's
going to be consistent when you're
walking along the street front. If we go
to the next slide.
So again, just in terms of moving
through uh some of the dwellings that
are in this neighborhood, uh the one
that's to the south, 72 First Street, so
we'll really get a sense, and I'm sure
the committee's walked the neighborhood,
but a sense of the variety of housing uh
types, styles, and sizes that are in
this neighborhood. So 72 First Street to
the south. If we move to the next uh
page, we'll see 88 First Street. So
again, this property is immediately to
the north. It's actually oriented so
that it has the front uh entrance facing
towards the subject property with its
side elevation towards First Street. On
the next page as one of the properties
across the street, 77 First Street and
then on the next page, 81 First Street.
So these are the two uh immediately
across the street from the property. Uh
on the next page, we can we start seeing
sort of this wider neighborhood that's
on the street and in the in the
conservation district. So 21st Street
uh here. Then the next page is 31st
Street.
Again, seeing that that two that full
twotory character and and that you know,
we'll see the variability in size and
character as we move along. Uh 37 First
Street.
Uh then next is 40 First Street.
Then we move to 45 First Street. So
again, these are some examples of what's
in the neighborhood. Again, we we did
see 88 uh the smaller one with a unique
orientation. So again, in terms of an
idea that there is a consistent
built form, type or size in in this
neighborhood. I think it's clear that we
see a variety if we're strictly speaking
about scale and of of dwellings in the
neighborhood. So the proposal is to
remove the existing dwelling and
construct a new twostory. There's been a
lot of attention given to how to make
that sensitive with the the built form
character of the conservation district.
Again, the applicant met on site with
the uh the heritage committee on April
27th and made a number of revisions
based on that meeting. As part of the
proposal, there is an existing utility
box that's located um sort of to this
southeast corner of the property. So the
the proposed driveway has been oriented.
If we go to the next page, you'll see on
the site plan, uh the driveway has been
moved to that side of the property. And
you can see at the bottom right corner
where it juts out. That's to avoid the
utility box and then also to provide um
again to maintain a number of those
trees that are in the front yard there
today and the trees that are along the
north property line. So, I know that
north property line uh has come up uh
some questions about the trees that are
there. The applicant has had their
arborist review uh the trees along the
property line and would be willing to
provide uh as as a condition uh the
arborist report showing how those trees
could be preserved and protected as uh
as part of the development. So, if we go
to the next page, we'll start seeing the
elevations. Um these were in the package
that were provided. Um but again if we
just move through these. So moving to
the next page as well uh we could see uh
the front rear and side elevations the
character of uh again really have see
how that roof has slopes down that the
flat roof component being towards the
central section. So you really do need
to look at a roof plan to understand
where the flat uh sections are. Um if we
just keep moving along we'll see more of
the architectural elevations. Um again
these are provided in the package. Uh so
the next page the variances again we've
we've seen them before us so they really
speak to height uh front yard the
interior sideyards and then the
aggregate of the sideyards floor area
ratio and lot coverage. So if I go to
the next page it's speaking to the
height we're we're asking for 88 cm
while above what's allowed. So 9.88.
Again I've mentioned this already. were
were designed as a semiflat roof, but
from all perspectives, if you're on the
street looking at the house, this is
going to be looking like a sloped roof.
So, in that case, a 10 m height would be
permitted as of right. There's a limited
number of windows as we saw on the
elevations on the north and south side.
That's to help mitigate uh privacy and
overlook to the neighboring properties.
uh the second story is really
incorporated into the roof line and that
helps to bring down the overall massing
uh of the dwelling. If we move to the
next slide in terms of the front yard
again this is really triggered by the
averaging of the of the two lots. So
again they're quite variable. So then
you end up with a requirement of 13.28.
Um, in this case though, 10.97,
you know, in my opinion, relatively
consistent with what we're seeing in the
neighborhood and we're also able to
provide the required amount of
landscaping. Uh, the next slide is the
interior. So, this is a key three here.
So, the this is where I mentioned the if
we were moving to a a lot that was 24.99
m wide versus 25.91,
the standard would be 1.8 m. Uh so that
northerly sideyard would actually comply
and the southerntherly sideyard would
only be over by uh 31. Uh and then the
aggregate also changes within that. So
it in terms of uh that consideration the
intent is that as the narrower the lot
gets the smaller the sideyards can be.
So uh the the the engineer for the owner
has also reviewed the drainage and
confirmed that uh the sideyards provide
would provide appropriate drainage and
we could provide that as part of a
condition of approval. Normally we'd be
providing that uh as part of this this
the the application that follows. Um on
the next slide just in terms of floor
area and lot coverage um the floor area
one this is this was introduced through
the new bylaw. So prior to the new bylaw
coming in, floor error ratio was not a a
regulation. So again, just in terms of
one of the comments I read uh and one of
the neighbors spoke to the idea that
they live across the street and this
will look like a very large house. Um
floor area ratio is directly tied to the
lot area and if this was a deeper lot,
you could have the same house and the
floor area ratio would go down and you
wouldn't know notice any difference from
the street. So it really is a while it
is a metric of of density on the
property in terms of whether the floor
area ratio alone means that the house uh
doesn't fit in with the neighborhood or
or doesn't meet the character. My
opinion is that's not the case. I think
when we look at um uh the fact that
landscaping is being met uh that we're
we're you know all the other
considerations and then I mentioned a
lot coverage as well. Um, yes, we are
asking for 44 square meters more than
permitted, but that includes the uh
front and rear covered porches that are
both one-story in height and they have
minimal contribution at that one-story
height to the overall scale and massing
of the dwelling. So, I believe if you
take the rear covered porch off, it
would actually then the lot coverage
would comply. Um, again, we've we
there's been a number of design elements
meant to help incorporate that second
story height and massing into the roof
line and to really bring that overall
massing down. And then on the final
page, I provided my opinion uh and gone
through it in my in my report, but I
think I've really hit the key points
that the four tests are met. Um, you
know, the highlights being that the
house has really been designed with the
intent of fitting in with the existing
neighborhood character. I think a key
element the two key elements are really
the heritage aspects and then and then
the scale of the house and I think u
when you consider the the neighborhoods
in its entirety um that that's met um
each of the regulations in my opinion
that the m the purpose and tenant are
maintained especially when you consider
um you know some of the elements I've
mentioned about the size the width of
the lot and flat roof versus sloped roof
um again they're my opinion that they
are minor and desirable they're going to
allow for uh redevelopment of this
property. The owner really taking
efforts to not only try and design a
house that fits in from the zoning
perspective as much as possible, but
also the heritage perspective. And I
think that's that that's shown in the in
the response that we received back. So
with that, I think I' I'd welcome
questions or clarification on uh on my
presentation
uh from the committee.
>> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Wharton. Um,
you you spoke about the uh engineer for
the owner and I'm I'm just wondering
staff made a comment that you are
subject to the development engineering
permit application but you haven't
started it. Care to comment why because
they seem to be adamant that that would
have helped your case somehow.
>> Well, typically it would be one we
experience anyways it's normally
condition of approval. going to be
handling that after we go through the
minor variance process. Um again we we
had reviewed it with the engineer and
the fact that this lot um is you know in
a case if it was 25 m we would be able
to have 1.8 m sideyards uh and then
you'd have you know in that case that's
considered wide enough to to be able to
accommodate drainage. So the intent was
that that process would be handled
because we also have to do a heritage
permit as well um as part of this. So
it, you know, sort of handling those
permits subsequent to the minor variance
process.
>> Okay. Thank you. Any comments or
questions or items of clarification of
Mr. Barton?
>> Mr. Towski, go ahead.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. I I guess I'm surprised
um in the face of complete neighborhood
opposition
and what I would say very well
articulated staff report and opposition
that you've chosen to proceed tonight.
Um but that is your prerogative.
Your presentation concerned me in that I
heard a lot of ifs.
if we went with a peaked roof, if the
lot was deeper, if the lot was narrower,
but none of these are the case. You have
a lot of a certain size that it would
appear that you're trying to overbuild.
And when I look at the neighborhood,
I see it characterized by significant
separation between dwellings, larger
setbacks, and you're trying to do the
opposite is bring the dwelling closer to
the street, make it taller, make it
closer to the neighbor. um essentially
put the neighbor to the north in a hole
with both a reduced front yard setback
and a reduced sideyard setback
on a lot that requires larger setbacks.
So I please help me understand how this
is in any way desirable
and I understand that your comments
about heritage approval but heritage
approval as you well know is not zoning
approval
and that's correct. I think um I guess
just to start with that point last what
I would say is typically my expectation
would be if Heritage hadn't been
consulted or if Heritage was not
satisfied that would immediately strike
this down as well. So it's simply
pointing out that the you know the level
of effort that was given to that
exercise in in coming up with with a
design. Um and again looking at this
from the perspective of what it is a
minor variance application. So we're
looking at it not from the perspective
of of conformity. It's it's it's the
intent and purpose. So when I speak to
uh for example the if we had a peak
roof, what what I'm getting at is that
um the purpose and intent of the zoning
is that a peaked roof can be higher than
a flat roof. Um when this dwelling looks
like a peaked roof even though from a
zoning perspective it's a flat roof.
That's what I'm getting at. It's the
purpose and intent of the zoning bylaw.
What it versus strict conformity with
the number. Um, same when it comes to uh
sideyards. The the in my opinion, the
intent and purpose of the bylaw is that
if you have a narrower lot, you can have
smaller sideyards. It's showing that
based on that degradation in as you get
narrower, you can have smaller
sideyards. So in a situation where a lot
is nearly falling into
that lower threshold of sideyards and it
has to have the same sideyards as a lot
but significantly wider. It's
considering that purpose and intent. Um
from the perspective of the the set
front yard, I think you mentioned the
house to the north. It's actually closer
to First Street than this house is. And
then the house that's to the south is
further back. So then you end up with
that averaging that's that's an issue.
So um again it it's just looking at I
think it's quite a a diverse
neighborhood in terms of where buildings
sit. Um and I think that's why the
averaging comes in versus you know
lining it up with the dwelling that's
right next door to it. So the question
about using ifs, it's not so much
vaguery or it it's speaking to purpose
and intent of the bylaw and how things
that you could work with the
consideration, you know, the owners is
seeking to try and accommodate a home.
Again, as as I'm sure the committee
hears all the time, you know, homes are
generally larger than they used to be
when these homes would have been built
at at the time. And and it's looking at
how that can fit in the context. So, so
that that's how I'm coming at from that
perspective. Now, in terms of
desiraability,
um, again, I think it's it's it's
needing in my opinion to look at this
from the perspective of the four tests
versus looking at it from the
perspectives of just numbers, for
example, of, you know, how far it's it
is from the height requirement or how
far it is. It's it's looking at from the
perspective of does that result in a you
know adverse situation relative to the
character of the neighborhood or is
allowing 9 point and a house that's 9.88
m high with a roof that looks peaked
worse than having a completely flat cube
9 meter building you know in terms of
how it fits in with the neighborhood for
example. So that's that's I guess just
to clarify the questions you had about
you know my use of if or or things that
don't actually exist on the property
>> and I acknowledge the building to the
north is closer to the street that it
has a unique orientation
where its front is essentially facing
the side and that's where my concern
desiraability when you have that
existing orientation and you're trying
to move the house closer to both the
street and the property line. And I I
would I guess argue that the intent of
the difference in height with a flat
roof and a peak roof is that if you had
an actual peaked roof at higher, you
would have a significantly different
massing to the building. And it's not
just as simple to say, well, we could
have nine if we had the peak roof. You'd
have a very different building. And if I
if you had put a peak roof on it. So I
think that is where I'm going with the
intent on the height. It's not just to
be able to say if we did a peak roof, we
could do it because you'd have a very
different massing in my view.
Thank you.
>> Any other questions?
Okay. Well, we have several uh people
who have uh asked to speak to the
committee. Um I'll just before I invite
um them to speak, I just want you to
bear in mind that um we have read the
eight letters of object objections and
the ones that have been submitted. And
if you could just be mindful not to
repeat the same points.
um over and over, but try to be wise
with your five minutes to bring to the
committee your concerns and related
impacts that you feel affect you. With
that said, Madame Secretary, um who
would like to start first? Uh please
raise your hand if you want to address
the committee.
Yes, Madam Chair. We're going to start
with Lindsay Sparks. She has her hand
up. One moment, please. I'll move her
into the meeting.
>> Thank you.
Good evening. Can you hear me? Okay.
>> Yes. Go ahead, Miss Sparks.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um,
good evening, chair and members of the
committee. Um, my name is Lindsay
Sparks. myself along with my wife Shelby
Walker, the homeowners of 86 First
Street. So, we're immediately north of
the subject property at 82 First Street,
but not 88 First Street. So, I think
just to have everyone's bearings here,
there's actually a house behind 88 First
Street as well. That wasn't in the
report. So, we're on the flag lot to the
west of the subject site. I don't know
if there's a picture or an aerial that
can be brought up, but um with my
arburest report just so everyone's aware
of what house I am speaking from because
I don't think it has been brought up or
even noted this evening.
I know we have several uh that were
submitted, but they might not be at the
towns um and the like for the um
>> I see
>> the um the staff because if things have
been submitted before 4:00 of this
afternoon, then they don't go up.
>> Yeah, it would be in the arborist report
with the aerial, but that's okay. Like
we
>> Yeah, those we have. Those we have. I'm
looking at it right now. Yeah, I'm
behind 88 First Street, right, where the
a bit larger home on the larger lot
behind it through the laneway. Um, but
our front yard faces directly into
82 First Street's essentially backyard
and entire back view of their home.
Okay.
>> Um, are we going to pull it up or should
I just continue on?
>> Um, I don't know if town staff can bring
it up. It's part of the um the arborist
report with the letters of objection.
>> It's okay. Why don't we I think everyone
>> you can continue and if they can enough
of the of the bearings here. So like our
our concerns, you know, we respect the
committee to refuse the application
consistent with the recommendation of
the the town's consolidated comment
report. Um our main three issues with
the seven variances that are are asked
for tonight are the the reduced north
sideyard setback, increased building
height. Um the potential the the
potential impact on the mature cedar
trees between the property. We actually
have 11 trees that act as significant
privacy noise buffering right now
against the two lots. Um and then the
overall scale of the proposed dwelling
just within the heritage district and
what it will do to our privacy sunlight.
Um it's going to be a completely
different viewpoint and what we
purchased not just over a year ago. Um,
you know, we were under the impression
that there would not be a almost 30 foot
high
kind of front yard aspect that we're
looking at a house immediately in front
of us. Um, with a significant amount of
trees most likely going to be hurt
during the process of construction. So,
the setback in height, you know, the
1.66 m with required being 2.4, this is
significant. It's not minor in a sense
when you add it up. Um, it also
requests, like we've talked about the
height a ton tonight at 9.88 meters. The
9 meters already is is high and to be
even higher at a flat roof. The massing
effect of that is significant because
with peaked roofs, it's actually a much
smaller home because of the height of
the peak. Um, but our concern is not
simply with like either variance in
isolation. It's combined effect. Right?
The application would allow a taller
substantially larger dwelling to be
constructed closer to our property or
home and against this m mature hedge
that is basically irreplaceable. So we
did uh go ahead and have an arborist
come out Bartlett um and do a report and
they basically determined that the trees
um are all mature, healthy and vigorous
in nature. Um, and they also identified
that there's massive risk to the root
systems that are going to happen from
the construction excavation that will be
that close to our property line. Um, the
tree protection zone that they noted
must be at least 2.7 m and approximately
4 m being preferred to be very safe and
the current plan only shows 1.8 m of
tree protection zone. Um, so it's pretty
clear to see if you've been on the site
or walked it. like these are 80-year-old
mature cedars that are irreplaceable
cannot be changed with regards to what
it's doing right now for privacy uh
noise buffering and just be becoming the
overall heritage district with its
intent of that's where you want to live
right um the next points we just have
are like the scale of the home is quite
large I believe the applicant seeks a
floor area of 46% with 35% being uh
allowed that to me is 30% increase. Uh I
believe they also revised the proposal
1% from 47 down to 46% when asked about
comments. The lot covered was also
reduced by less than 1% um when they
were asked to also take into that
account. So when we talk about the four
tests,
you know, we don't believe it maintains
the general intent and purpose of the
official plan because of the sale height
setbacks and potential impact on the
mature trees
together. It does not maintain the
general intent of the purpose of the
zoning bylaw. Um, collectively, it
creates a materially larger building
envelope in a very old style street.
Now, there are tons of different kind of
homes on the street, but everything is
mostly old. Um, the biggest thing for us
though is the the minor variances aren't
really minor in their impact. It's the
forer, like I said, is 31% greater. um
and we don't believe that the requested
variances are desirable or appropriate
for the development of the property.
We're not opposed to redevelopment and
we've actually met with the owner and I
believe they know that. It's just the
lot is only 25.91 meters wide. That's
what it is. It's not if it were a little
bit smaller or if it were a little bit
deeper. That's just exactly what it is.
And that's what I believe the new bylaw
suggests to keep in play is the fact of
what it is and to build within it. So,
we're definitely not opposed to having a
home there. It's more so just trying to
maintain the integrity of the street for
all the neighbors and including myself
who I wasn't noted on the the report.
Um, and I just wanted to make sure
everyone knew that, you know, we are
back there kind of looking into the
backyard of this home. Um, and we kind
of for all these reasons respectfully
ask the committee and chair to, you
know, deny this um minor variance
application as it stands today.
Great.
>> Thank you, Mr. Spox. I appreciate the
submission that you brought in with the
pictures and everything. It does paint
um a good picture. Um any questions of
Mr. Sparks at this time from the other
members?
Okay. All right. Hang tight. Um who's
next, Madam Secretary?
>> Uh we have a Gerald Dename. One moment.
I'll move him in.
>> Okay.
there.
>> Okay. Uh, Mr. Den, do you have a camera
that you can turn on?
>> Uh,
very well. Now we see you. Go ahead,
sir.
>> Sorry. Um, yes. I second the motion to
Mr. Sparks because I live at 88 First
Street. My name is Jerry Denny. Uh,
we've been here in this house for over
47 years.
Um, the variances that 82 is asking for,
uh, they call them minor, but you know,
seven combined, they're certainly not
minor.
And as you as the committee would are
well aware, this area is governed by a
very high standard of scrutiny because
it's an heritage area.
Uh I like Mr. Sparks had an arborist
report on from Bartlett tree experts
regarding the uh measurements and the
photos which were included in the
arborist report that I sent in.
Uh these trees are are over 30 feet
high.
There's nine of them on my property
and they are very close to the existing
foundation of the house. In fact, they
are approximately 13 in 13 ft from the
from the foundation. And if they go
ahead with the variance of 1.66 on the
north side, the tree protection zone
cannot cover this area. These trees need
to be protected. They're over a hundred
years old.
Uh, basically, uh, what else have I got
here for you?
The trees themselves, the canopy
measures between 2.5 and 3.5 m. They
they're really very very healthy and
they're well balanced throughout.
Uh,
the structure that's proposing, which is
9.88, 88
uh is a little bit of a strange. It's
not true because that house sits on a
hill. It's a it's the highest house on
the street as far as height from the
road. That is something to it needs to
be taken into consideration. So 9.88
could be uh could be 10
or even maybe higher.
Okay. Um
or whatever
>> and also with the the height of this
heist house would uh we wouldn't get any
sunlight and as the one of the committee
members said 88 will be in the hole
which I believe is true. Okay.
Um
if the if the formula is you regarding
the tree protection zone then there is
really no way that these this
construction can happen this close to
the trees.
Okay. And a further note uh we received
a note from uh Michelle Dram uh Dramik
uh who is the inspector officer of parks
and wrecks. They the forestry has
provided comments regarding the trees
including the mature cedar trees along
the north property line of 82 88 and 86
first street. They provided comments
indicating that the proposed variances
for reduced north side yard setback is
not supported due to potential injury of
mature cedars along the property line.
>> Okay.
>> Okay. That's basically all I have to
say.
>> Thank you, Mr. Denome.
>> Thank you.
>> Uh any questions or comments from the
many members?
>> Okay, I see none. Um next, Madam
Secretary Treasurer.
>> Yes. Next, we have Mr.
and Mrs. Bar. B A R. I'll move them into
the meeting. One moment.
you hear?
>> Yes. Go ahead, Mr.
>> Bart.
>> Thank you for Thanks for the time to
speak.
>> There there's an echo, so perhaps uh
turn one of the devices off.
small marital issue.
>> No worries. [laughter]
Happens to the best of us. Go ahead.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Um so we are to to put it in
context. Uh again, thank you for the for
the ability to speak. Uh we are the
neighbors to the south. We live at 72
First Street.
um uh which we have lived at for the
past 28 years. Um and uh our house
actually uh as not noted in the earlier
submission, our house also is oriented
uh to the the front of our house is
actually oriented to the north. Our
house was one of the two original h
residences built in 1860
uh on the street. So in fact our the
side the side yard is really our front
yard.
So our front door in fact faces this
residence and so again the side uh you
know impingement is actually even
greater for us. Um we also have uh the
same considerable tree issue given uh
that we have mature trees in fact higher
and older than the cedar trees are on
the on the north.
Um, and you know, I I think that and I
don't want to be repetitive and I'm
respectful of the chair's comments of
not repeating what we said in the in the
note, but I believe that uh we also are
in the circumstance of the culmination
of all the variances are greater in the
whole than the you know than any single
one of them. And um I would suggest to
we like as Lindsay had mentioned we are
not adverse to someone doing building a
a lovely home on the site. Um we have
done lots of reser uh renovations to our
house. Uh we have we have worked with
historical society and we have worked
with every with the town on each and
every one of them.
uh the character and nature of this
neighborhood and the character and
nature of the street is is quite unique
and um I think that the cumive nature of
what they're asking for is
uncharacteristic to the street. So
um
that that that's basically all I really
really wish to share with the committee
but I I I hope they they they understand
and I I would be be great if they had
walked the street because
um I I don't think this submission is in
character to the street. Thank you.
>> Thank you Mr. Bar.
Uh, do [clears throat] we have someone
else waiting? Madam Secretary Treasurer?
>> Yes, we do. We have uh Miss Claudia
Fullerton. I'll move her into the
meeting. One moment, please.
>> And I do want to reiterate that we have
all your letters of objections and we've
read them and we're aware of all your
sentiment. So
go ahead,
Miss Alton.
>> Okay, we see you. You just have to
unmute yourself.
Okay. Are we good now?
>> Go ahead. Yes. Go ahead.
>> Um, my name is Claudia Fuller. Oh, and
now I've got
How do I get rid of this?
Do you get an echo?
>> No, we're fine. We We hear you. Okay.
>> Okay. My name is Claudia Fullerton.
I live at 87 First Street across from um
82.
Um, everybody's probably said everything
that's been going through my mind, but
uh, and they've said it very well, but I
do just a couple of things. Um, one is
82 First Street
is not a twostory house. What is
existing there is not a two-story house.
It is listed as a two-story house on the
presentation,
but it's a bungalow on raised land. So
we are not replacing twostory with
twostory.
We are uh it looks like we are putting a
very large house on a very small piece
of land. if it was smaller. Everybody
has said before that
we have no objection to a lovely home
being put on this lot,
but the pictures that you showed of of
the houses in the neighborhood, they're
on wide lots
and they're big houses, but they're on
wide lot.
So,
this is going to be in our face.
And um we don't feel that it adheres to
the neighborhood.
Um
the other thing that
people in this area because we are
heritage which has been mentioned before
we have to for a very long time most of
us have lived here for a very long time
and we've been we adhere to town rules
and we adhere to heritage rules and I am
surprised that Heritage agreed
uh Mr. Barton said that they agreed with
the housing uh the house being built
because these rules are strict and we
have all lived within these rules for a
very long time, both sets of rules, town
rules and heritage rules. And um Mr.
Barton is asking us to bend those rules
and break those rules to accommodate
this house, which the neighborhood feels
is just far too big for the lot.
So,
it's not it it can't be a good feeling
to have everybody around you not crazy
about what you want to build. The house
is lovely. The design is great. It just
needs to be smaller. you're building on
a small lot.
Um, and I think that's all I have to say
because everybody else has made my
previous points.
>> Thank you, Miss Fullerton. Okay. Um,
anyone else, Madam Secretary, Treasure?
>> Yes, we have one more. Uh, we have Yin
Woo. One one moment. I'll move them into
the meeting.
Have you been able to move him in or no?
>> Yes, he's here. I think he's just trying
to start his video.
>> And Mr. Yinu,
we see you on the panel, but
I think you're still muted. Then if you
have a camera, perhaps you can turn it
on.
>> Uh I believe they didn't want to speak
and oh
>> perhaps the letter was uh all they
wanted to uh share.
>> Well, I I do I do have him and he's at
81
First Street. So we have his letter. I'm
looking at it right now. So thank you
for your submission, Mr. Woo.
Okay. Uh, Mr. Barton,
uh, floor is yours to comment uh, on all
of the issues at hand being the trees,
the arborist report. The, um,
well, you've heard it all, so I'll let
you go at it.
>> Yes. I think I'll start with the uh,
with the trees and the arborist report.
So we, as I noted, the owner did have an
arborist involved here and they do have
a report that they would submit. I think
it's key to understand I heard a comment
that there's no way this can be built
without affecting the trees. I would say
that's a difference of opinion from the
arborist, our arborist on this
application. So the arborist that the
owner has retained has indicated that
measures can be taken to uh protect the
trees through. So I think that's
something that would be addressed
through the submission through the
applicant. But it's important to not
know note if if it's worth pulling the
site plan back up. The sideyard is a
pinch point. So when you look at the
site plan that the 1.66 m if you want to
talk about that on the north side is a
limited area where it's 1.66 meters
before it widens out. So we're we're
we're talking about the pinch point
where that happens. We're not talking
about the entire mass of the house being
1.66
m from uh that north property line. So I
think if we it's down a few slides to
the the site plan.
So we can see there yeah on that the top
of the picture how it it uh it moves
back uh as you move towards the rear of
the property. So many of those trees
that are in that hedge row that we can
see there that are I I understand to be
the trees of concern actually have that
larger setback um where the building
comes back in. So again, I think it's a
key consideration when you're looking at
the idea that this entire row of trees
is is somehow going to be eliminated. Um
the arborist information we have is
that's not going to be the case. Um
again from the perspect I just a general
comment about breaking the rules. we are
authorized to submit minor variances
under the planning act. Um so again I
and I would agree with the point that
heritage is very strict. So the fact
that the owners did receive uh the
comments they did on the revised
submission and the the feedback they did
receive from the heritage committee, I
would disagree that it does not fit in
other than the perception that it's too
big based on the numbers that we're
asking for. Um, again the
uh there were comments about shadow and
sunlight being affected. Just to note
again, you could have a 10 m peaked roof
built here that would be imposing a
greater height in terms of shadow. Um,
if you were if you were to have a shadow
study done, um, you would likely be
surprised to see I've done many had many
shadow studies, uh, the shadows that
would occur for a 10 m peaked roof
versus a 9.8 8 m semiflat roof um in
terms of and then again you could also
have the two full stories of windows on
the north side overlooking into the
property. So the 9.88 versus the 9 or 10
m versus peaked roof versus uh 9 m flat
roof again when it speaks to shadow and
privacy my opinion is that you would
experience similar uh conditions. Um and
then again just from that tree
perspective just point out again that
the owner is committed you know to uh
demonstrating tree protection, tree
preservation um again there's a heritage
permit that's required to be submitted
here. Um so again certainly conditions
of approval um that the owner is open to
um but again my opinion is and I
certainly understand the comments about
the idea of cumulative impact. I think
it's important
to understand um you know when you look
at these and I'm sure the committee is
well aware this is more I think to the
to the neighbors that it's not just
about the numbers it's not just about
you know if you're 60 some you know 60%
bigger than the standard
um you're you're you need to look at or
you know typically what planners would
look at is the potential for adverse
impacts for example and again simply
being different than what's on the
street doesn't mean it's adverse or it's
having a negative impact. So, um I think
certainly I hear the comments. Um I I
think that a great amount of effort has
been taken here to and then I think just
the point because the sideyard in the
north seems to be a key point. The
understanding that it is a pinch point
at the 1.66 66 m before stretching out
and that the arburest work that the
owner has done differs from that opinion
that and I did read the arburest report
that the owner submitted and I I do
think it was put together relatively
quickly and there seem to be some
qualifications in there about about what
the report says. Uh you know the
information we have indicates that this
the trees could be adequately uh
protected through through construction.
Okay. Um, thank you, Mr. Barton. Any
questions from the committee members to
Mr. Barton at this time?
>> Go ahead, Mr. Dicki.
>> Why didn't you submit the arburous
report that you speak of?
We haven't seen it.
>> To be honest, the trees came up as an
issue to us a couple days ago when the
owner met with the neighbors to the
north. We hadn't heard concerns about
trees. We heard concerns about drainage.
Um we had indicated that would be dealt
with the development engineering. So the
it it was just a timing issue. Uh I did
reach out to staff but I understand
staff don't typically speak with uh the
applicants once the application's been
accepted until after there's a committee
meeting. So I didn't have that
opportunity to discuss that or to be
able to resubmit it. So primarily
because the the this and we could see on
the arburous report uh if I pull it up I
believe it was prepared in November. So
it's it's something that's really come
together and been raised by those
neighbors relatively late in this
process.
>> A number of trees quite a number of
trees that are are being removed.
Like you should have submitted an
arburst report. You should have been
advised by an arburist on all those
issues. I'll just say at the last minute
because the neighbors brought that
forward like you you should have been
aware of that concern.
>> We did have a
>> pre hadn't had an arburish report and
submitted it to us so we could read it
to make to to to for us to analyze it.
You haven't done that. So did you want
to defer and maybe maybe give us the
arburish report?
>> So at pre-con we had a pre-conultation
meeting in advance of submission and
arburish report was not identified. Um
so that's why it was not provided as
part of a complete application. So um to
me it feels like the tree concerns have
been raised at the last minute beyond my
timelines for submission of documents to
the town. Um deferral I think and the
question came up at the beginning. Um
the owner has made what I would say are
change significant changes to the
dwelling. a we're looking at a complete
redesign of the house to uh what I would
say address the concerns that have been
raised. Um so that's why we didn't you
know to if we demonstrate that the trees
can be protected that does not address
any of the other concerns that have been
raised by staff uh just with the floor
area of the house for example. Um the we
still have the the other setback as
well. Um so again it's uh
I I think the tree is an item that we
could address as a condition of approval
and satisfy staff that trees can be
preserved.
Well, you've come forth with seven
variances, five of which deal with
footprint. And my thought is if if you
can't squeeze your bigger house into the
footprint that the zoning bylaw
stipulates, then the house is too big
for the lot.
Then you had the added problem of trees
along both sides and throughout that
you're eliminating. Then you have the
problem of eight neighbors coming
forward and and opposing this like uh
why
it's time to step back and revise this.
Anyhow, I that's the end of me. Thank
you very much.
>> Any anyone else would like to address
Mr. Varden before we take the matter
into committee? Sorry. I Yeah, go ahead,
Miss Price.
Um, one of the neighbors, I believe it
was Mr. Denom, mentioned that the house
is actually on a hill and that by
putting the house, it's going to be even
higher because of the hill. What is What
do you do? Do you agree that the house
is on a hill and are you not aware of
it?
>> I I wouldn't say it's on a hill. There
certainly there's differences in
elevations and there will be differences
in elevation when the new home is
constructed. So you you wouldn't simply
build the house on the exact same you
know top topography of the property as
exists today and then the uh the
measurements. So again, this is where
you end up in this balancing act of of
qualific.
If you want to speak to the technicality
of what the zoning says, whether it's a
flat roof versus a peaked roof, if the
zoning bylaw measures this house at 9.88
m, it's a 9.88 m house. That's kind of
the way have we have to look at it. We
can't have it both ways where, oh, it's
actually higher than 9.8 meters. If we
look at it from here for example. So
again I I wouldn't agree that that there
is a condition here where this somehow
inflates the height of the house.
>> Madame chair we also are showing uh
Lindsay Sparks with his hand up.
Would you um allow
>> Well, typically
>> Well, typically we already heard
everything that the um the applicants
have uh had, sorry, the neighbors have
had to say, so right now we're it's Mr.
Barton's uh time to reply. Um if it's a
quick comment, I'll allow it, but we've
already heard everything. Um where is
Mr. Barton? Is he in the um
>> uh Mr. Sparks? He's in
>> Sorry, Mr. Sparks.
>> He's the um in the attendance, but I'll
move him into the committee and he can
let you know if it's a quick comment or
or not.
Mr. Sparks, I'm I'm I'm just because I
didn't see you face to face, I I will
explain the process one more time.
Typically, we're now in the period where
Mr. Barton is commenting on all the
concerns of that have come from the
neighbors. It can't be a back and forth.
>> Understood. Sorry, I thought I was just
going to address one of the comments of
Mr. Barton that made that we brought up
the trees late in the submission
process. and and I'll let you have that
moment u just out of courtesy because
since co and moving into the electronic
type way of the hearing it it's hard so
I'll allow it but it won't be a back and
forth
>> understood no that's fine I just wanted
to clarify one item just the trees were
brought up very late in the process you
know we we got someone out to review the
trees as fast as we possibly could when
we saw drawings when we were provided
the drawings and we were also notified
of the signage on site. I don't know how
we can act any faster when we don't know
haven't seen any drawings from the town
or from the owner and applicant. It's
also to note the owners uh Jerry Dename
and myself have talked to the owner of
this home in the past throughout the
summer through last year about trees and
about plans for the home. So, I just
want to make it known that this isn't
something we're trying to do at the last
second. This has been on the forefront
for a while. Unfortunately, we couldn't
get reports done prior to seeing where
the reports actually were or the
>> No. And and to be honest with you, good
for you. Uh I commend you on on doing
that because that painted a very good
picture for us where m Mr. Bart didn't
fail to offer that and and that goes
speaks to what Mr. Dicki was saying. So,
um you did nothing wrong. That is the
unfortunate part of the process is you
do not receive notice until it comes out
and that's when you have time to react
and in that short span of time you did a
great job. So
>> thank you. That's all I have.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> And if I could respond to that I didn't
anyways.
>> Sorry. Sorry Mr. Barton. One of the
planners has their hand up. Just let me
have her uh uh speak her mind and then
I'll I'll I'll allow you to comment. Go
ahead Miss McFale. Thank you chair. Um
just to respond to the comment about an
arborist report for the subject lands
through the pre-conultation um that was
done in August. It was flagged by
forestry staff that an arborist report
would be required. Um however an
arborist report is typically reviewed as
part of the development engineering
permit application and that's why staff
had recommended that process um be
undertaken first. Um so the applicant
was aware um of the requirement uh but
uh perhaps it it wasn't there was a
decision made not to submit it with the
committee of adjustment materials.
>> Thank you Miss McFale. Go ahead Mr.
Bart. [clears throat]
>> Okay so yeah so uh firstly I didn't
intend to suggest the owners did or the
neighbors did anything wrong. I was resp
replying to their reasons why I did
something wrong. um the suggestion that
I purposely mishe withheld information.
Miss McFale is correct. We were told to
submit at deesp
um we weren't advised I when I submitted
the minor variance application I wasn't
told it was incomplete. Um so again it's
simply a matter of uh you know my
experience again is we typically would
provide arburous reports and engineering
plans as part of the ESP process. Um and
that's why it was it was to be provided
at that time the the indic the only
reason I brought up when the neighbors
report was submitted was that we didn't
have time to respond to that. we didn't
have time to then say because my
expectation would have been if I
submitted an arburous report after that
I would have been required to defer. So
that that's the reason why the arburous
report was not provided. Not out of any
ill intent on my part certainly.
And I don't I don't think that we uh for
I speak for myself when I say that that
was not the thought in my mind which is
why I asked you the question about the D
why [clears throat] you hadn't gone
ahead and went with what town staff had
actually recommended and you decided to
follow the process as as you're used to
and sometimes the suggestion from town
staff is in the nature to
help with the tough applications that
are before us and this just is one of
them. So that's
>> I would agree. I guess I took I did take
Arbor forestry staff suggestion to be a
DESP [clears throat]
submission. Um I should have I guess
>> not followed that directive. I should
have done something different. Um and
and I was just responding to the idea
that I failed to provide information. I
think Mr. Madam Chair, you mentioned
that uh Mr. Sparks provided a report and
I failed to do so. I'm simply just
trying to explain uh that I don't
believe I had failed in any way to
provide the requested information.
>> All right. It was a a
judgment I guess call and
understood.
Okay. Anything further um from the
committee members uh questions,
clarifications before we take the matter
into committee for a vote?
Okay, I see none. Who would like to get
the discussion rolling?
>> Mr. Towski, go ahead.
>> Thanks, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm
aligned with the evidence of staff and
the neighbors on this application.
This uh dwelling is not too big by the
numbers as the agent has suggested. It's
too incompatible
by the cumulative result of the numbers.
Madam chair, I don't believe this meets
the intent of the official plan in terms
of compatibility and character.
The intent of several of the zoning
provisions are not met. Cumulatively,
this application is not minor and in my
view, it is in no way desirable for the
development of the property in this
neighborhood. Madame Chair, I will move
that this application be denied.
>> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Tuski. Is there
discussion on this recommendation?
Mr. Hardcastle.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Just briefly, um
I I um agree with uh um all of the
points that were raised by Mr. Towski.
Um I would bring forward [clears throat]
that the um the concept of tangible
impact and opportunities to have
addressed have not been been leveraged
here. And I believe that that some of
the tangible impacts to the northerly
property um I've not seen to be
satisfied. So I'll put that on the
record as well and I will be supporting
the motion on the floor.
>> Very well. Thank you, Mr. Arcastle.
Anyone else?
Okay. So the motion is to uh deny the
application that is before us having
failed the four tests. All those in
support.
Okay. The application has been denied.
None opposed.
Okay. Have a good night, Mr. Barton.
>> Thank you.
>> Good night to everyone else.
[clears throat]
The next item on our agenda was
deferred. So, we are now confirming
minutes for October the 28th.
Miss Price, thank you.
Minutes for October the 28th are
confirmed. A motion to adjurnn.
Thank you, Mr. Hardcastle. We are
adjourned at 8:39.