Agent for the applicant, Jeff Jansen, address: 70 Main Street North Campbellville provided an overview of the application.
Public Participation
James Coey, address: 67 Robert Street claimed he would like to voice his support for the minor variance presented before the committee. He stated he too had to go before the committee of adjustments because even though he had a five-bedroom house in New Milton, there was not enough parking spots. He is also familiar with the house the applicant originally built, and it fits within the architecture of Milton.
Nicola Gillio, address: 83 John Street claimed he built his house three years ago and also had to apply for a minor variance through the committee of adjustment, he has four children who are all in university and all have cars, which in his case there also wasn't enough parking. Furthermore, he supports the applicants new built based on the size of the applicant’s family. He also states the corner lot needs to be re-developed as it's become an eye-sore to the entire town, and he would like to see that area further develop into a particular character.
The applicant, Chris Smith, address: 29 Barton Street, expressed how much the property means to himself and his family. His wife's father was born in the home and there is nothing they would like to do more than honour the neighbourhood and heritage of the home, by building something that is appropriate for the neighbourhood. Upon working with agent Jeff Jansen, he claimed he is interested in building a heritage looking home that fits well into the neighbourhood. Furthermore, all of the design pictures that were given to agent Jeff Jansen for a concept perspective were taken from Victoria Street.
Peter Muley, address: 40 King Street, stated his father bought the subject property in 1954. He claimed his daughter (applicant) is very keen in keeping the old Milton look, however it does need a little bit of revamping. What they want to do is keep the style and ambiance in the family name and he is very supportive of the plan the applicants (his daughter and son-in-law) want to execute.
Questions to Town Planner Taylor Wellings
Member Ellahi inquired if this is the final design that has come forward to the committee of adjustment or has there been prior designs submitted. Town Planner Wellings claimed this is the original design they did see, when she met with the applicant back in November. The applicants did go back and forth with the Town about revising the design, but ultimately they choose to go ahead with the original design.
Agent Jeff Jansen stated they worked with Town staff on this particular proposal, and when they presented the original design to the Town, they weren't supportive of the lot coverage. The applicants went back to the town, and took off the rear porch in their design, their lot coverage still exceeded 10% of what is permitted, and the Town was still not in favour of the adjusted design. The applicant was upset that the Town was still not in favour of their design, and ultimately went back to their original design with the rear covered porch, which is why they are here today requesting for an increase of 17% lot coverage.
Member Jayaveer inquired what was planning staff's suggestions for reducing the lot coverage. Town Planner Wellings stated her first suggestion was to scale the home back. It is not the rear and front porches she is concerned about, rather it is the scale and size of the home for the lot itself, and it being in a corner lot. She reiterated Agent Jansen's point, in which the owners were willing to scale back the porches, and remove the covered porch in the back, however despite those changes the proposal would have been a 10% lot coverage increase which she was not comfortable supporting.
Chair Kluge claimed he does not understand why covered porches are included in gross floor area. He spoke with Town Planner Wellings who explained to him the definition for gross floor area and coverage, and how basements aren't included in gross floor area and coverage, where he believes it should be. He stated he would like Town zoning to re-consider whether or not covered porches should be included within Lot coverage, especially in a heritage district where covered porches add so much more.