Laura Carnochan

The agenda for the meeting included administrative business such as the adoption of the agenda and disclosure of pecuniary interest. Key discussion topics were scheduled for presentations and reports, including a Young Canada Works Wrap Up Presentation and updates on Heritage Planning. Reports also covered the Heritage Designation Strategy Review, Doors Open Planning, and proposed heritage designations for properties at 43-45 Sherwood Street, 7 Bond Street East, and 945 Frank Hill Road.

The strategic plan for the City of Court O'Lakes aims to foster an accessible and age-friendly community. It focuses on enhancing city infrastructure and services for improved accessibility, providing specialized transit for individuals with disabilities, and promoting awareness and education through various programs and awards.

The meeting involved discussions and decisions on several applications requiring variances. The first application concerned reducing the minimum water setback from 30 meters to 15.2 meters to allow for the squaring off and renovation of an existing cottage at 87 Marsh Creek Road. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions. The second application sought relief from height requirements (greater than 5 meters) for a new 185.78 square meter detached garage at 57 Welden Road, intended for storing motor homes, a helicopter, a sailboat, and a backhoe; staff recommended approval subject to conditions, noting the structure would appear as a single story from three sides. The third application sought relief from interior side yard setback requirements (from 3 meters to 2.3 meters) to permit the construction of a new dwelling on Trickles Trail on Cameron Lake, where the design features a walk-out basement, which the bylaw considers an added story; staff recommended approval subject to conditions.

The meeting began with welcoming and introducing a new committee member, Janice Robinson, who shared her extensive background in land-use planning and previous experience with a committee of adjustment. A public meeting was held concerning applications, including File Number D20-2021-038, a deferred application. A motion was put forward to defer this application pending the completion of a review by the City of Kawartha Lakes regarding corporate procedures for accessing private lots via unassumed public rights-of-way, with a deferral period not exceeding June 30, 2022. Separately, the committee reviewed application D20-2021-066 regarding 31 Westview Drive. This application sought relief from minimum side yard and water setbacks to permit the construction of a new two-and-a-half-story single detached dwelling and attached deck. Staff noted the need to correct the road name from Westview Road to Westview Drive in the report. The discussion detailed how the proposed setbacks, while being variances, would still maintain ample space for maintenance, drainage, and access, and slightly improve the current water setback compared to existing structures or proposed deck limits. The proposal included a newer septic system, representing a net benefit. Engineering confirmed no objection to the proposal.

The meeting, held as a public meeting prior to decision-making, addressed several applications requiring minor variances. Key discussions included a proposed severance for the property at 56 Riverview Road, involving the creation of two new residential building lots which required a minor variance for deficient frontage, and the subsequent discussion regarding density targets and lot shape consistency. Another significant item involved an application for 237 Snug Harbor Road, requesting relief for accessory structure location, coverage, number of structures, ARU eligibility on private servicing, and front yard setback, related to the construction of a detached garage with an accessory residential unit and the replacement of a boathouse. Staff recommended approval for both applications subject to specified conditions, including ensuring septic system capacity for the latter application.