Official Plan:
Relevant excerpts from the Official Plan are attached as Appendix C. The subject property is located within the University Planning District and is designated Residential on Schedule D: Land Use of the City of Windsor Official Plan.
Objective 6.3.1.1 supports a complementary range of housing forms and tenures in all neighbourhoods. Objective 6.3.1.2 seeks to promote compact neighbourhoods and balanced transportation systems. Objective 6.3.1.3 seeks to promote selective residential redevelopment, infill and intensification initiatives. The semi-detached dwelling represents a complementary and compact form of housing, redevelopment, and intensification that is near sources of transportation and that supports. The zoning amendment satisfies the objectives set out in Section 6.5.1 of the Official Plan.
The proposed semi-detached dwelling is classified as a small-scale Low Profile housing development under Section 6.3.2.3 (a), a permitted use in the Residential land use designation (Section 6.3.2.1). The proposed development is compatible with the surrounding land uses (Section 6.3.2.5 (c)) and no deficiencies in municipal physical services and emergency services have been identified (Section 6.3.2.5 (e)). The zoning amendment conforms to the policies in Sections 6.3.2.1 and 6.3.2.5 of the Official Plan.
The zoning amendment conforms to the Zoning Amendment Policies, Section 11.6.3.1 and 11.6.3.3, of the Official Plan.
The proposed change to Zoning By-law 8600 conforms to the general policy direction of the Official Plan.
Zoning By-Law:
Relevant excerpts from Zoning By-law 8600 are attached as Appendix D.
The applicant is requesting a change from Residential District 1.3 (RD1.3) to a zoning district that permits a semi-detached dwelling. The Residential District 2.1 (RD2.1) zoning district is an appropriate zoning category and is compatible with the existing uses in the neighbourhood. RD2.1 permits one semi-detached dwelling on a lot with a minimum width of 15.0 m and a minimum area of 450.0 m2, with a minimum front yard depth of 6.0, a minimum rear yard depth of 7.50 m, and a minimum side yard width of 1.80 m. The minimum building height is 10.0 m with a maximum lot coverage of 45%.
The applicant is also requesting a reduction in minimum lot width and an increase in maximum lot coverage. The reduction in the minimum lot width is required to accommodate the proposed semi-detached dwelling on a narrower lot of approximately 12.2 m versus the required 15.0 m. The reduction in lot width will have no adverse impact on the proposed development or on surrounding uses. The lot is irregular in shape as it incorporates the closed alley. To avoid issues at the building permit stage, Staff recommend that the minimum lot width be as existing.