Housing & Homelessness Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes

2. Disclosure of Interest

None disclosed.

• 3. Adoption of the Minutes

Moved by J. Brunet, seconded by Councillor McKenzie,
That the minutes of the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee of its meeting held November 19, 2019 BE ADOPTED as presented.
Carried.

4. Presentations

Changes to the Planning Act and Bill 108

Greg Atkinson and George Robinson, Planning Department provide an overview of the Presentation entitled “Creating Opportunities for more ADUs – Draft Official Plan and Zoning Amendments for Additional Dwelling Units” as follows:

• OPA 122 and Z-009/18 passed in Fall 2018 permitted one Second Unit in single detached, semi-detached, and townhome/row house/dwellings or within a building accessory to these dwelling types (but not within both buildings on the same property).

• 15-20 permits issued since Fall 2018. Most second units built in new construction as basement units.

• Many inquiries for laneway suites above garage, but abandon project when they learn about height limits

• Bill 108, the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 amended Planning Act. Requires municipalities to permit an additional residential unit in both the primary building AND an accessory building.

• Allows one additional dwelling unit in principle building, and one in an accessory building, on the same lot, total 3 units.

• Outside of floodplain areas – basement units may be permitted where flood mitigation criteria has been met.

• Foundation drains disconnected from the sanitary sewer and a backflow prevention value installed in basement units.

• For an additional dwelling unit in an accessory building:

  • Height tied to main building: new prohibition for accessory buildings containing a dwelling from exceeding the height of the main building.

• Ensures the scale or new development is proportional to the existing building, and prevents the development of an accessory structure that is taller than the main building.