Minutes
Development & Heritage Standing Committee
Tuesday, October 13, 2020

• Some of the larger homes have become student houses with a large number of students residing in them.

• There is an opportunity for Windsor to have a “west end Prado Boulevard” on Askin. Prado Street deserved that protection as does Askin.

• The problem with 436 Askin is the double-duplexing to the rear.

• The addition being proposed is much larger than the current house and takes up almost the entire backyard. (The parking would have to be added off the closed alley.)

• This kind of intensification belongs on the main arteries, not on small residential streets that are very narrow with parked cars.

• The proposed development is nothing short of a lodging house, which at one time required a license.

Councillor Holt inquires as to setbacks and whether this will be coming back to Council for any other reason besides this heritage alteration permit. George Robinson, Planner II – Revitalization & Policy Initiatives, appears via video conference before the Development and Heritage Standing Committee regarding the administrative report “436 Askin Avenue - Partial Demolition of a Heritage Listed Property (Ward 2)” and indicates that parcels currently zoned RD2.1 have permitted uses that include a duplex, semi-detached dwelling, and single unit dwelling. Mr. Robinson explains that the applicant is proposing to convert the existing single unit dwelling to a semi-detached dwelling. Mr. Robinson indicates that a preliminary review by the department is done, and it indicates that the plans as presented do meet the provisions in this zone and semi-detached dwelling as a permitted use. Mr. Robinson adds that in lieu of any amendments to the applicant’s plans, this application would not come back to this Committee or the Committee of Adjustment for any further Planning Act approvals.

Member Baker indicates that she stopped by 436 Askin last week and remarks that it is a lovely home in a lovely neighbourhood. She also noticed the smell from the sewers and that there is residential parking. Ms. Baker inquires whether the Planning Department is consulted prior to bringing this to this Committee as there are red flags. Mr. Robinson responds that whenever they receive an initial submission such as this, it is reviewed by the Zoning Coordinator, as well as other development oriented staff members in their department, and adds that the issues that address servicing would come through at the building permit stage. Patrick Winters, Development Engineer, appears via video conference before the Development and Heritage Standing Committee regarding the administrative report “436 Askin Avenue - Partial Demolition of a Heritage Listed Property (Ward 2)” and indicates that existing properties are serviced, and system wide intensification does have an effect on the system eventually. Member Baker advises that she would support moving to designate the house and to create a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) for the area.

Member Foot indicates that the issue should be dealt with from Council’s point of view as far as the re-use of the land goes, as it goes beyond the heritage provisions of the back porch.

Councillor Bortolin inquires as to the Heritage Conservation District and what the process is if that is triggered today. Kristina Tang, Heritage Planner, appears via video conference before the Development and Heritage Standing Committee regarding the administrative report “436 Askin Avenue - Partial Demolition of a Heritage Listed Property (Ward 2)” and indicates the process