Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
(Incorporated 1st January, 1998)
Planning Advisory Committee
Minutes
Monday, June 6, 2016
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Planning Advisory Committee met for a regular meeting on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. with Chair, Ralph Stevens presiding.
2. RECORD OF ATTENDANCE
Members absent were: Ron Daigle and Theresa Gordon.
“…moved by Cllr. Bev Day to excuse Ron Daigle and Theresa Gordon with cause….”
Seconded by Jim Burke. Carried.
3. PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MAY 2, 2016
“…moved by Chyann Kirby to accept as presented the May 2, 2016 Planning Advisory Committee Minutes….”
Seconded by Jim Burke . Carried.
4. REGULAR COUNCIL MINUTES OF APRIL 25, 2016
“…moved by Chyann Kirby to receive and file the Regular Council Minutes of April 25, 2016….”
Seconded by Cllr. Bev Day. Carried.
5. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
6. REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR
None.
7. APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE (STORAGE BUILDING)
RE: ALLEN TITUS – 2 SUNNYSIDE DRIVE
(A) DEVELOPMENT OFFICER’S REPORT DATED JUNE 2, 2016
The Applicants were present and Mrs. Veronica Titus addressed the Committee as follows:
a. Their Application for Variance is for an addition to an existing building to be used for storage;
b. ttheir home and garage is on 4.5 acres of land (with an additional 86 acres of timberland) which is not visible from the either Nerepis Road or Sunnyside Drive, or any of their neighbours;
c. their existing building is overflowing, ie: 2 vehicles, ride on lawnmower, snow blower, patio furniture;
d. Mr. Titus has a large John Deer tractor with implements which he uses to maintain his property and 200 m long driveway;
e. currently the equipment is being kept in two storage tents which they wish to remove;
f. the house does not have an attached garage and the existing 3 bay storage building is not large enough to store all of his equipment.
There was no one else present speaking in favor of or against this Application.
“… moved by Jim Burke that the Planning Advisory Committee DENY the request for a Variance to the Town’s Zoning By-law, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield By-law No. 112, for the construction of an oversized accessory structure under provisions of Section 5.1.2 ….”
Seconded by Chyann Kirby. Motion A vote resulted in a tie with 2 for and 2 against.
On the question, a further discussion ensued based on determining the nature of the machinery involved in maintaining the large property. The difficulty for approving large increases to garages based on Section 5.1.2 of the Zoning By-law were discussed, and a request to Table the Item from the Agenda for more information was raised, but no Seconder was recorded to support the Motion.
Mr. Titus stated that consideration should be given to the size of his property and that he is completely out of sight from any neighbours. He noted that there would only be hardship on is part should his Application be Denied. The circumstance of the property requires him to have specialized equipment, larger than typically sized snow and lawn care machinery. The size of the tractor and implements were further discussed. In addition to the large equipment, he advised that he also owns a snowmobile, travel trailer and ATV, used for the enjoyment of his property.
Rather than considering Section 8.1.6 of the Zoning By-law as solely being for the use and care of animals on large lots, it was proposed to consider the proposed use as being Similar and Compatible to the intent of Section 8.1.6. In light of the Committee obtaining this additional information, Jim Burke (Mover) and Chyann Kirby (Seconder) agreed to withdraw the previous motion. The Motion was amended as follows:
“… moved by Jim Burke that the Planning Advisory Committee DENY the request for a Variance to the Town’s Zoning By-law, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield By-law No. 112, for the construction of an oversized accessory structure under provisions of Section 5.1.2 however, APPROVE the proposed use as a Similar and Compatible Use to provisions set out in Section 8.1.6 to permit construction of a Storage Building up to 120 m² for equipment used on a large acreage, meeting the minimum 1.2 ha size and frontage having over 55 m located at Civic No. 2 Sunnyside Drive, PID No. 210450 & 30187082;
i) under Section 8.1.6 (iii), Grant a Variance of 12 m to reduce the spatial separation of structures from 30 m to 18 m between the storage building and the main dwelling….”
Motion seconded by Alex Calvin. Carried.
8. DEVELOPMENT OFFICER’S MEMO DATED JUNE 2, 2016
RE: SUMMER SCHEDULE
“…moved by Cllr. Bev Day that the Planning Advisory Committee adopt a summer meeting schedule by cancelling the regularly scheduled meetings of July 18, 2016 and August 15, 2016, noting that a special meeting may be called if required….”
Seconded by Alex Calvin. Carried.
9. ADJOURNMENT
“…moved by Jim Burke and seconded by Cllr. Bev Day to adjourn….” at 8:27 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
PAC Chair
PAC Secretary
