The Corporation of the Town of Essex

Special Council Meeting Minutes

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Location: https://www.youtube.com/user/EssexOntario
Present:
  • Mayor Larry Snively
  • Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche
  • Ward 1 Councillor Joe Garon
  • Ward 1 Councillor Morley Bowman
  • Ward 2 Councillor Kim Verbeek
  • Ward 3 Councillor Steve Bjorkman
  • Ward 4 Councillor Sherry Bondy
  • Ward 3 Councillor Chris Vander Doelen
Also Present:
  • Doug Sweet, Director, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Lori Chadwick, Director, Development Services
  • Kevin Girard, Director, Infrastructure Services
  • Kate Giurissevich, Director, Corporate Services
  • Robert Auger, Town Solicitor, Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk
  • Shelley Brown, Deputy Clerk, Legal and Legislative Services
  • Rita Jabbour, Manager, Planning Services
  • Corinne Chiasson, Assistant Planner, Planning Services

This meeting was hosted and chaired from the Essex Municipal Building. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was not currently open to the public for in person attendance. This meeting can be viewed by the public electronically via livestream on YouTube at www.youtube.com/EssexOntario

 

The statutory public meeting was held for the purpose of two Site-Specific Zoning By-Law Amendment Applications regarding 27 Maple and 2151 Roseborough 


Mayor Snively called the meeting to order at approximately 4:30 PM.

There were no declarations of conflict of interest noted at this time.

  • SP21-12-001
    Moved ByCouncillor Bowman
    Seconded ByCouncillor Vander Doelen

    That the published agenda for the December 6, 2021 Special Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

    Carried

Corrine Chiasson, Assistant Planner, Planning Services explained that the applicant requested a site-specific zoning amendment for the residential property located at 27 Maple Avenue on the South side of Maple Avenue in Harrow. She stated that the Official Plan Designation is zoning residential District 1.1 which only permits one single detached dwelling as a main use. She further stated that Maple Avenue is primarily single detached family dwellings with the Commercial Downtown Harrow District North of the subject lands which includes Institutional (former Harrow High School) and Green Districts. Ms. Chiasson explained that the site is currently vacant and Maple Avenue has municipal services, parking on the shoulder of the road and is not regulated by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA).

Ms. Chiasson explained that the owner of the property wishes to construct an accessible semi-detached dwelling to provide long-term rental accommodations geared toward seniors. She explained that a semi-detached dwelling is one dwelling divided vertically into two dwelling units by a common interior wall. She stated that the residential R 1.1 zone does not permit the construction of a new semi-detached and the applicant is requesting a site-specific zoning amendment to add this specific use. She explained that each proposed unit has one parking space in the garage and one in the driveway. She noted that the owner is proposing to construct the semi-detached structure with a basement but does not intend to build a second additional second dwelling unit within each semi-detached dwelling unit.

Ms. Chiasson noted that Second Dwellings have been permitted within a semi-detached in the R1.1 zoning district. She explained that a second dwelling unit is permitted within a semi-detached dwelling unit or in an accessory or ancillary building for a total density of four (4) dwelling units on the subject site however, Council may choose to limit the density of the site to two dwelling units with no second dwelling units permitted in the basement. She stated that since second dwelling units are allowed in the R.1.1 zoning district a second dwelling unit on this property would not increase the density allowed on this property.

She stated that the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) promotes residential development that is appropriate, affordable, and is a mix of residential types focused in settlement areas. She also noted that this is not a historical district and the Town of Essex Official Plan states that it supports development in Harrow through the appropriate infill and redevelopment where permitted uses include a semi-detached.

She further stated that upon circulation that there were no objections from Essex Fire, Infrastructure Services, Development Services, and Essex Region Conservation Area (ERCA).

Ms. Chiasson noted that the next step is a by-law to amend the zoning for 27 Maple which will be prepared for Council's review and presented at the next Council Meeting scheduled for December 20, 2021. At that time Council may a) Approve the application where notice of approval will be sent to the applicant and all persons requesting to be notified of the decision and a 20 day appeal period takes effect or b) Deny the application where notice of denial will be sent to the applicant and all persons requesting to be notified of the decision and a 20 day appeal period takes effect or c) Defer the decision to a later date if further information is required.

Andrew Talbot, applicant explained that he is a resident of Harrow and does not believe this semi-detached will not distract from the neighbourhood. He stated that intends to build an accessible semi-detach to rent for individuals 60+ and that 2-4 people would be living in the house.

  • SP21-12-002
    Moved ByCouncillor Vander Doelen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Verbeek

    That the presentation entitled Site-Specific Zoning Amendment for 27 Maple Avenue be received.

    Carried
  • SP21-12-003
    Moved ByCouncillor Bowman
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bjorkman

    That all of the correspondence listed in Agenda Item 4.2 be received.

    Carried

RE: Opposition to the Site-Specific Zoning Amendment at 27 Maple Avenue

RE: Opposition to the Site-Specific Zoning Amendment at 27 Maple Avenue

RE: Opposition to the Site-Specific Zoning Amendment at 27 Maple Avenue

RE: Opposition to the Site-Specific Zoning Amendment at 27 Maple Avenue

  • SP21-12-004
    Moved ByCouncillor Bowman
    Seconded ByCouncillor Garon

    That the delegations listed in Agenda Item 4.3 be received.

    Carried

Moira Hossack resident at 21 Maple Avenue stated that her questions were answered during the presentation.

Carol Schwarspeck resident at 41 Maple Avenue stated that all her questions were answered during the presentation.

Lee Ann Swarts and Blake Swarts stated that he was disappointed that a three-car garage being built on his street and is concerned that if permitted, would create a trend down Maple Street.

Greg Pigeon resident at 64 Maple Avenue provided a history of this part of Maple Avenue and explained that for the past 55 years Maple Avenue consisted of single family dwellings from 1981 until present. He noted that he bought his home on Maple Avenue as it is well established single family residential area and does not want the character to change to a highly dense residential mixed use that will create the additional burden for parking, noise and/or traffic. He stated that he wants to preserve his home, property values and the streets neighbourhood character.

Lori Chadwick, Director, Infrastructure Services noted that if Council approves this site-specific zoning amendment there would be provisions added to limit the density to a maximum of two units thereby prohibiting second dwelling units being constructed either detached or within the main dwelling. She noted that any site specific amendment stays with that site into perpetuity.

Corinne Chiasson, Assistant Planner, Planning Services explained that the applicant Ontario 1808234 Inc. (Tony Boudreau) is requesting a site specific zoning amendment at 2151 Roseborough. She noted that this is 15781 square metres of industrial lands located on the west side of Roseborough Road and that the Official Plan Designation is Industrial. She explained that the existing zoning is Manufacturing District (M2.1) for general industrial use and subjected to site-specific zoning exceptions for a drive-through restaurant/food outlet exclusively on the corner lot although the subject site is not a corner lot. She explained that to there is vacant land on the West Side of Roseborough Road which is accessed by a road owned and assumed by the Town and serviced by municipally owned water supply and sanitary sewer. She noted that this is not within the regulated area of the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). She stated that there are two residential lots north of the subject lands as well as Town owned lands with a soccer park and sewage lagoons. On the West South and East of the subjected lands are two residential lots along with designated manufacturing lots for businesses such as Atlas Tube, Sellicks, and Loricon Industrial Park.

Ms. Chiasson explained that the proposed dine-in restaurant would be an added site-specific additional use that is comparable with the currently permitted take-out restaurant use on the neighbouring corner lot. All other uses listed under M2.1 Zone will still be permitted. She stated that this restaurant would be visible from he street, have parking in front and would be easily accessible for the employees in the nearby businesses and the parkland. She stated that this development is subjected to a site plan control agreement which would include traffic studies, stormwater management, and other additional studies.

Ms. Chiasson stated that the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), the County of Essex Official Plan and the Town of Essex Official Plan supports public and private development.

She noted that the next step is to prepare a by-law to amend the zoning for 2151 Roseborough Road which will be presented Council's decision at the December 20, 2021 Regular Council Meeting.

Councillor Garon asked if any type of restaurant such as a steak house would be permitted on this property. 

Ms. Chiasson stated that there would be no restriction as to what type of restaurant as the zoning by-law does not go into explicit details.

Councillor Garon stated that Council is being asked to approve a Commercial building on an industrial lot.

Ms. Chiasson noted that industrial, manufacturing and some commercial buildings are permitted on this lot.

Ms. Jabbour stated that the uses of this property were established in 2014-2015 when the lands were taken into the settlement area and zoned for industrial and commercial property. 

Councillor Vander Doelen stated that back in 2014 the property was zoned to prevent those high traffic installations such as a fast food restaurant and believes this restaurant to be similar.

Tony Boudreau, applicant noted that he is proposing to build a restaurant that will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. He stated that there will be parking and easy access.

  • SP21-12-005
    Moved ByCouncillor Vander Doelen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bondy

    That the presentation entitled Site-Specific Zoning Amendment for 2151 Roseborough be received.

    Carried
  • SP21-12-006
    Moved ByDeputy Mayor Meloche
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bowman

    That the correspondence list in Agenda Item 5.2 be received.

    Carried

RE: Support of the Site-Specific Zoning Amendment at 2151 Roseborough

  • SP21-12-007
    Moved ByDeputy Mayor Meloche
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bjorkman

    That the meeting be adjourned at 5:40 PM.

    Carried