HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-28Clarbsqoii
Minutes of the Committee of Adjustment
Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington
September 28t", 2023
Municipal Administrative Centre, Council Chambers
40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville
Preliminary Note
This Committee of Adjustment meeting took place in a `hybrid' format. Members listed as
being "electronically present," as well as applicants and members of the public,
participated though the teleconferencing platform Microsoft Teams, which allows
participation through a computer's video and audio, or by telephone.
Present:
Jacob Circo
Assistant Secretary -Treasurer
Cindy Hammer
Meeting Host
Morgan Jones
Secretary -Treasurer
Akibul Hoque
Planning Staff
Nicklaus Gibson
Planning Staff
Todd Taylor
Chair
Shelley Pohjola
Member
Dave Eastman
Member
John Bate
Member
Noel Gamble
Member
Gord Wallace
Member
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement Statement
The Chair recited the Land Acknowledgement Statement.
3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest
There were no pecuniary interests stated for this meeting.
4. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting, July 27t", 2023
Moved by D Eastman Seconded by S Pohjola
Minutes from September 28t", 2023, Meeting Page 2
"That the minutes of the Committee of Adjustment, held on July 27t", 2023, be approved."
"Carried"
5. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting, August 31st, 2023
Moved by D Eastman Seconded by G Wallace
"That the minutes of the Committee of Adjustment, held on August 31 st, 2023, be
approved."
"Carried"
6. Applications:
6.1 A2023-0025 Owner: T&C Small Engine Repair Reality Inc.
Applicant: Nicole Mountain, and Michael
Fry
2297 Taunton Road, Part Lot 18,
Concession 4, Former Township of
Darlington
M Fry, the applicant, attended virtually through Microsoft Teams gave a verbal
presentation to the Committee regarding the application.
D Eastman asked a question to Staff- Could you clarify the intended focus and scope of
the provided definitions and regulations, specifically pertaining to their alignment with
agricultural or directed business purposes?
J Circo responded- The purpose of defining the terms is to clearly identify the various
items that will be sold on the property, ensuring compliance with existing zoning
permissions in the "Agricultural Exception (A-36)" Zone. The definitions provided, such as
golf cart, multipurpose off -road utility vehicle, and utility trailers, are not currently outlined
in Zoning By-law 84-63. The intent of introducing these definitions and associated
regulations is to be explicit and precise about what type of vehicles can be repaired,
stored and offered for sale at this property. The regulations in the decision are similar to
those found in the general provisions of the zoning by-law. For instance, regulations for
recreational vehicles stipulate specific sizes that are permissible. We discussed this
matter with the applicant to determine the sizes needed, aligning the regulations with the
types of vehicles to be sold at this location, encompassing various sizes and types. Since
these are additional uses, our existing general provisions do not address specifics about
the types of vehicles . For instance, the definition of a "utility trailer" was adapted from
Zoning By-law 2005-109, as it provides a more defined understanding of utility trailers.
This demonstrates how we have structured the definitions and regulations for clarity and
alignment with the intended scope.
Minutes from September 28t", 2023, Meeting Page 3
D Eastman responded- The Committee received an email from the applicant, which
included attached pictures. Notably, one of the pictures depicted a skidoo, enclosed trailer
and a PWC trailer, which contradicted the definition outlined. Could you clarify the
definition of a utility trailer, which explicitly states that trailers should not be fully
unenclosed?
J Circo responded- The purpose of defining a utility trailer was emphasized to ensure that
only unenclosed utility trailers, specifically small trailers that can be easily hooked up to a
truck, are being located on the property. The objective is to avoid the sale of enclosed
trailers typically seen in cartage or transport depots, which may include larger trailers like
tractor -trailers. The intent is to maintain the focus on smaller, unenclosed trailers that can
be conveniently connected to a truck for smaller -scale hauling purposes.
D Eastman responded- Could you clarify if the fully unenclosed trailer shown in the
picture is considered a permitted type of utility trailer, given the definition provided that
excludes trailers designed to be towed as part of a tractor -trailer?
J Circo responded- To clarify, a fully unenclosed trailer is permitted, and enclosed trailers
are not.
D Eastman responded- The wording or definition of utility trailer in the recommendation of
the staff report may need to be corrected for what the applicant wants to sell.
J Circo deferred the question to the Secretary -Treasurer.
M Jones responded- Referring to the end of the condition for utility trailers, aiming to
clarify that it should read "enclosed" and not "unenclosed". We should make that
amendment tonight if the Committee is willing. The goal of the condition is to prevent the
repair, sale or storage of enclosed trailers and specifically permit the sale of unenclosed
trailers. Therefore, I am agreeing that the current wording is incorrect and needs to be
rectified.
T Taylor- Thank you for that clarification.
N Gamble asked a question to staff- If six months from now, the property owners decide
to include the sale of ski-doos, will they need to revisit the Committee of Adjustment for
another minor variance?
J Circo responded- It is emphasized that for such usage, ski-doos, for instance, obtaining
permission for recreational vehicle outdoor storage is essential. However, this type of
usage does not align with the intended purpose of the additional use in question. If the
owner intends to pursue this kind of usage in the future, options such as obtaining a minor
variance or, if the proposal significantly deviates from the existing zoning permissions and
the scope of additional uses, considering a rezoning application may be necessary.
T Taylor asked if there were any questions regarding the application from members of the
public.
No other Committee Members had questions or comments.
Minutes from September 28t", 2023, Meeting Page 4
No member of the public spoke in support of or in opposition to the application.
Motion to approve A2023-0025 as recommended by N Gamble, seconded by G Wallace.
Full text of Decision:
"That application A2023-0025 for a minor variance to Section 6.4.36 of Zoning By-law 84-
63, to add additional uses to the existing "Agricultural Exception (A-36)" Zone to allow
outdoor storage, outdoor repair, and selling of golf cart, multi -purpose off -road utility
vehicles, and utility trailers, be approved, subject to the following conditions:
Definitions:
a. "Golf Cart" is defined as an electric -powered or gas -powered four -
wheeled vehicle originally designed and manufactured for operation on a
golf course for sporting purposes and can be used for supporting active
farming operations; and
b. "Multi -purpose off -road utility vehicle" is defined as an electric -
powered or gas -powered four -wheeled vehicle originally designed and
manufactured for off -road operation for recreational purposes and can
be used for supporting active farming operations; and
c. "Utility Trailer" is defined as a trailer designed and used for the
transport of materials and that is capable of being towed by a motor
vehicle. The term utility trailer shall not include a trailer designed to be
towed as part of tractor -trailer that is a commercial motor vehicle, or a
utility trailer that is fully enclosed; and
ii. Regulations
a. A golf cart shall not exceed an 8-passenger vehicle with a maximum
length of 4.3 metres, a maximum width of 1.25 metres, a maximum
vehicle height of 1.85 metres, and maximum vehicle weight is 0.75
tonnes; and
b. Multi -purpose off -road utility vehicle shall not exceed a maximum length
of 4.3 metres, a maximum width of 1.55 metres, a maximum vehicle
height of 2 metres, and a maximum vehicle weight is 0.80 tonnes; and
c. Utility trailer shall not exceed a maximum length of 8.2 metres, a
maximum width of 2.6 metres exclusive of hitch or tongue, a maximum
height of 2.9 metres, and a maximum weight of 9 tonnes; and
d. The outdoor storage area shall only be used for the storage of
equipment, machines and goods that are for retail sale or repair with
regards to the farm implement and machine sales and service
establishment use, and outdoor storage, outdoor repair, and selling of
golf carts, multi -purpose off -road utility vehicle, and utility trailer. The
outdoor storage area cannot exceed 20% of the lot area; and
e. Maximum outdoor display area of 179 square metres, and setback a
minimum of 6 metres from exterior side lot line (facing Taunton Road);
as it is minor in nature, desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land and
maintains the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law and Clarington Official
Plan."
Minutes from September 28th, 2023, Meeting Page 5
"Carried"
6.2 A2023-0031 Owner: David Baker
Applicant: Clinton Dochuk
368 Northglen Blvd, Part Lot 12, Concession 3, Former
Township of Clarington
C Dochuk, the applicant, attended virtually through Microsoft Teams, gave a verbal
presentation to the Committee regarding the application.
G Wallace asked a question to the applicant- Did you see the concern about the lot
grading certification?
C Dochuk responded- We are aware of the lot grading concern, and if they require us to
certify, then we can assist with the certification process by conducting a property survey.
This survey would demonstrate the intent to maintain appropriate grading for the property
as needed.
G Wallace responded- What Development Engineering Division is stating in their
comments, is that you get the certification for a lot grading done prior to building this deck.
Does that fit within your plans?
C Dochuk responded- This is a very new development, and we can achieve the grading
certification before being given a building permit.
G Wallace responded- When do you plan on building the deck?
C Dochuk responded- At this stage, this late in the year, probably not going to be building
until in spring of the new year. But if approval is necessary for the grading of these lots
first, then that will have to be achieved prior to constructing the deck.
G Wallace asked a question to staff- Why didn't we include engineering comments as a
condition of approval in the recommendations?
J Circo responded- The permitting process would capture the lot grading. Further
explanation was deferred to the Secretary -Treasurer.
M Jones responded- This is a relatively new subdivision, and it is going to be the
developer's obligation to clear the lot grading as they are the ones who did the
construction including all the grading. Therefore, it is not a condition of approval for this
committee of adjustment decision because lot grading is already a condition of the
subdivision approval process, and they are obligated to meet that requirement and we
want to avoid repetition of conditions that exist in other processes.
G Wallace responded- In these new subdivisions, if you build something prior to
certification, and the lot grading must be adjusted, then you have to tear down everything
you built?
Minutes from September 28th, 2023, Meeting Page 6
M Jones responded- We find most subdivisions, property owners do things the right way,
and want to do things the right way. Typically, they only undertake landscaping, fencing or
any types of decks once the lot grading is certified. In addition, the lot grading will be
captured through permitting with our Building Division, as one of the requirements for the
applicant to satisfy prior to the issuance of a building permit . The lot grading is not a
condition of approval for this minor variance application because we already imposed this
condition elsewhere. Today, the Committee, if they were to make a favorable decision, is
simply approving a minor variance to the Zoning By-law for a certain aspect that cannot
be complied with. All other aspects, building permits, lot grading and other matters that
have their own processes to be adhered to are outside the scope of this Committee.
T Taylor asked if there were any questions regarding the application from the committee
members or members of the public.
No other Committee Members had questions or comments.
No member of the public spoke in support of or in opposition to the application.
Motion to approve A2023-0031 as recommended by D Eastman, seconded by J Bate.
Full text of Decision:
"That application A2023-0031 for minor variances to Section 12.4.71.(c).iv) and 3.1.(g).iv)
of Zoning By-law 84-63, to facilitate the construction of a deck by reducing the rear yard
setback to the deck from 8.5 metres to 0.6 metres and to increase the rear yard deck
projection from 1.5 metres to 7.9 metres be approved as it is minor in nature, desirable
for the appropriate development or use of the land and maintains the general intent and
purpose of the Zoning By-law, and Clarington Official Plan."
"Carried"
7. Other Business
None
8. Adjournment
Next Meeting: October 26th, 2023
Last Date of Appeal: October 18th, 2023
Moved by G Wallace, seconded by N Gamble.
"That the meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m."
"Carried"