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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdjustment - 1997-07-15 FENCOA\1997-07-15-FENCE COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD JULY 15, 1997 MEMBERS PRESENT: Messrs. J. Gothard, W. Dahms, D. McKnight, S. Kay and A. Galloway. OFFICIALS PRESENT: Mr. J. Willmer, Intermediate Planner, Mr. R. Morgan, Co-ordinator Zoning Administration and Ms. D. H. Gilchrist, Secretary-Treasurer. This meeting of the Committee of Adjustment as a Standing Committee of City Council was called to consider applications regarding variances to Chapter 630 of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code. The Committee will not make a decision on this application but rather will make a recommendation which will be forwarded to Committee of the Whole and Council for final decision. APPLICATIONS The Chairman explained that the Committee's decisions with respect to Fence Variances are not final, but recommendations to City Council. He advised all those present that the Committee's recommendations for Submission No.'s F 4/97, F 5/97 and F 6/97 would be forwarded to the City Council meeting scheduled for Monday August 18, 1997, at 7:00 p.m. and they may appear at the Council meeting if they wish. Submission No. F 4/97 - Jeff and Betty-Anne Flanagan, 224 General Drive, Kitchener, Ontario Re: Lot 54, Registered Plan 1733, 224 General Drive, Kitchener, Ontario. APPEARANCES: IN SUPPORT: Mr. J. Flanagan 224 General Drive Kitchener ON CONTRA: NONE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: IN SUPPORT: NONE CONTRA: NONE The Committee was advised that the applicants are requesting permission to construct a 1.82 m (6 ft.) high fence to be located 0.31 m (1 ft.) from the side property line along General Drive rather than the required 4.58 m (15 ft.) from the property line along General Drive. The Committee noted the comments of the Department of Planning & Development in which they advised that the applicants are requesting permission to erect a 1.83 m (6 ft.) high fence setback approximately 0.30 m (1 ft.) from the General Drive property line rather than the required 4.5 metres (14.76 ft.) setback. The bylaw permits 0.91 metres (2.99 ft.) high fencing in this location. The proposed 1.52 m (5 ft.) high solid wood fencing with 0.30 m (1 ft.) of lattice on top will be used to enclose the applicants' rear yard. The fenced rear yard would allow the applicants greater security and privacy. By complying with the by-law requirement for a 1.83 m (6 ft.) high fence, it would restrict the useability of the applicants' rear yard. The intent of the regulations for corner lot fencing is to maintain visibility for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. This property is located at the curved corner of General Drive. General Drive is not a heavily travelled street and the proposed fencing would not obstruct vehicular traffic visibility at the corner; COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 7 JULY 15, 1997 therefore, the proposed setback can be considered minor in nature. 1. Submission No. F 4/97 - Jeff and Betty-Anne Flanaqan - cont'd The property abutting the subject property's rear lot line, addressed 17 General Drive, does not have a driveway abutting the rear lot line, rather the driveway is located on the far side of the house. The proposed fencing would not cause a visibility problem for the abutting property owner entering or exiting their property from General Drive, thereby meeting the intent of the By-law. The Department of Planning and Development recommends approval of the application, as shown on the submitted plan. The Committee noted the comments of the Traffic & Parking Division in which they advised that they have no concerns with the location of the fence, as proposed. Mr. W. Dahms questioned Mr. Flanagan as to whether his neighbour at the rear knew about the application and Mr. Flanagan responded that the neighbours did know about the application for the fence and they are not opposed. Mr. A. Galloway questioned the 1 ft. variance shown on the sketch, and Mr. Flanagan responded that it is only at that point that the sideyard is 1 ft. and the rest is greater. Moved by Mr. A. Galloway Seconded by Mr. W. Dahms That the application of the Jeff & Betty-Anne Flanagan requesting permission to construct a 1.82 m (6 ft.) high fence to be located 0.31 m (1 ft.) from the property line along General Drive rather than the required 4.58 m (15 ft.) on Lot 54, Registered Plan 1733, 224 General Drive, Kitchener, Ontario BE APPROVED subject to the following condition: That the variance as approved in this application shall apply to the proposed fence only as shown on the plan submitted with this application. It is the opinion of this Committee that: 1. The variance approved in this application is minor in nature. 2. This application is desirable for the appropriate development of the property. The general intent and purpose of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code Chapter 630 (Fence) is being maintained on the subject property. Carried 2. Submission No. F 5/97 - Cindy & Tim Kerr, 3 Marlis Crescent, Kitchener, Ontario Re: APPEARANCES: IN SUPPORT: Lot 55, Registered Plan 1730, 3 Marlis Crescent, Kitchener, Ontario. CONTRA: WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: IN SUPPORT: Mr. T. Kerr 3 Marlis Crescent Kitchener ON NONE NONE COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 8 JULY 15, 1997 CONTRA: NONE The Committee was advised that the applicants are requesting permission to erect a 1.82 m (6 ft.) high fence to be located 0.91 m (3 ft.) from their side Iotline abutting Erinbrook Drive rather than the required 4.58 m (15 ft.) from the side Iotline abutting Erinbrook Drive. 2. Submission No. F 5/97 - Cindy & Tim Kerr - cont'd The Committee noted the comments of the Department of Planning & Development in which they advised that the applicants are requesting permission to erect a 1.82 m (6 ft.) high wooden fence to be located 0.9 m (3 ft.) from their side lot line abutting Erinbrook Drive rather than the required 4.58 m (15 ft.) from the side lot line abutting Erinbrook Drive. The intent of the 4.5 m (15 ft.) setback requirement from the side lot line abutting the street is to ensure that vehicles approaching an intersection have sufficient visibility. Additionally, the setback is necessary in instances where the rear lot line abuts the neighbouring property's driveway to ensure visibility for the property owner when exiting their driveway. The subject fence will not be located within the required 50 ft. (15.2 m) visibility corner nor will its proposed location appear to cause a visibility concern for vehicles turning at the intersection of Marlis Crescent and Erinbrook Drive. Additionally, the property abutting the rear lot line (77 Marlis Crescent) has its driveway fronting onto Marlis Crescent. In this regard, the proposed fence poses no visibility concerns for that property owner as well. It is the opinion of the Department of Planning & Development that the application as submitted is minor in nature and the general intent of the fence by-law is being maintained. As such, approval is recommended for Submission F 5/97. The Committee noted the comments of the Traffic & Parking Division in which they advised that they have no concerns with the proposed fence location. Mr. S. Kay put forward a motion to approve the application in accordance with the staff comments. The Committee made mention of the plan submitted with the application and that as there were no survey stakes shown. The applicant should understand that they must know exactly where there Iotline is before erecting the fence. Moved by Mr. S. Kay Seconded by Mr. A. Galloway That the application of Tim & Cindy Kerr requesting permission to erect a 1.82 m (6 ft.) high wooden fence to be located 0.91 m (3 ft.) from the side Iotline abutting Erinbrook Drive rather than the required 4.58 m (15 ft.) on Lot 55, Registered Plan 1730, 3 Marlis Crescent, Kitchener, Ontario BE APPROVED subject to the following condition: That the variance as approved in this application shall apply to the proposed fence only as shown on the plan submitted with this application. It is the opinion of this Committee that: 1. The variance approved in this application is minor in nature. 2. This application is desirable for the appropriate development of the property. The general intent and purpose of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code Chapter 630 (Fence) is being maintained on the subject property. Carried 3. Submission No. F 6/97 - Keith Plater, 18 Briar Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario. Re: Lot 6, Registered Plan 133, 18 Briar Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario. COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 9 JULY 15, 1997 Mr. S. Kay declared a conflict of interest with this application as his law firm has acted for the applicant and did not participate in any discussion or voting with respect to this application. 3. Submission No. F 6/97 - Keith Plater - cont'd APPEARANCES: IN SUPPORT: Ms. A. Houston 18 Dyer Avenue Kitchener ON CONTRA: NONE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: IN SUPPORT: NONE CONTRA: NONE The Committee was advised that the applicants are requesting permission to erect a 1.82 m (6 ft.) high fence around their rearyard to be located up to the Iotline along Dekay Street rather than 4.58 m (15 ft.) from the Iotline along Dekay Street. The Committee noted the comments of the Department of Planning & Development in which they advised that the applicant is requesting permission to erect a 1.83 m (6 ft.) high fence setback 0 m from Dekay Street rather than the 4.5 m (14.76 ft.) required. The By-law permits 0.91 m (2.99 ft.) high fencing in this location. The proposed fence would completely enclose the rear yard. The fencing would provide privacy from traffic along Dekay Street and a secured area for the applicant's large dog. The applicant has not chosen the construction material for the fencing. The intent of the required 4.5 m (14.76 ft.) setback from the side lot line abutting the street is to allow unobstructed visibility for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Presently, the abutting property to the rear addressed 19 Dekay Street, does not have a driveway; therefore, the proposed fencing would not appear to adversely affect the neighbouring property. On the sideyard abutting Dekay Street, it should be noted the applicant's property slopes downwards towards the sidewalk. The fence would be erected on the higher grade and because of this would not cause visibility concerns for pedestrian or vehicular traffic along Dekay Street; and therefore, meeting the intent of the By-law. The Department of Planning and Development recommends approval of the application, as shown on the submitted plan. The Committee noted the comments of the Traffic & Parking Division in which they advised that, given the existing grade and other conditions on the frontyard of the abutting property on Dekay Street, it was their opinion that the proposed fence will not impact existing sight lines from the driveway of this abutting property. When questioned by the Committee, Ms. Houston advised that the property at the rear has a garden on that side of their property and there is not enough room for a driveway on that side. She advised that there is already a 5 ft. chainlink fence at that point. Moved by Mr. A. Galloway Seconded by Mr. W. Dahms That the application of Keith Plater requesting permission to erect a 1.82 m (6 ft.) high fence around the rearyard to be located up to the Iotline along Dekay Street rather than 4.58 m (15 ft.) from the Iotline along Dekay Street on Lot 6, Registered Plan 133, 18 Briar Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario BE APPROVED subject to the following condition: COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT 10 JULY 15, 1997 That the variance as approved in this application shall apply to proposed fence only as shown on the plan submitted with this application. 3. Submission No. F 6/97 - Keith Plater - cont'd It is the opinion of this Committee that: 1. The variance approved in this application is minor in nature. 2. This application is desirable for the appropriate development of the property. 3. The general intent and purpose of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code Chapter 630 (Fence) is being maintained on the subject property. Carried ADJOURNED On Motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Dated at the City of Kitchener this 15th, day of July 1997. D. H. Gilchrist Secretary-Treasurer Committee of Adjustment