Councillors here are allowing a minor variance for a building addition that has already been constructed.
That decision followed a public meeting on Nov. 14 regarding an application made by Trent and Lisa Gascho for their property on Concession 17.
The purpose of the application is to permit the construction of the 600 square foot addition onto an existing 1,200 square foot accessory structure even though the town’s comprehensive zoning restricts the maximum combined area of all accessory structures on the subject property to 1,000 square feet.
On Oct. 9, building department officials discovered the addition to an accessory shed without a building permit.
In his report to council, Chief Building Official Terry Kuipers wrote, “Upon further investigation and in addition to the structural deficiencies, it was discovered that the size of the structure including the addition, exceeded the maximum size permitted.”
However, Kuipers added that the original 1,200 square foot accessory structure was built legally in 1998, when the zoning by-law in effect at that time permitted the maximum combined area of accessory structure on the subject property to be 2,000 square feet.
Due to that fact, the existing structure contains a legal non-conforming use status. That status, however, does not permit any increase in size of the existing structure, and any increase must be approved through rezoning prior to the issuance of a building permit.
Planner Linda Redmond, considered the variance to be minor in nature. It would provide relief from the maximum floor area requirement for a detached accessory structure on a residential lot, and make the addition legal.
Redmond told council, “Given the size of the subject property and neighbouring agricultural lots, the impact of the relief requested appears to be minor in nature, however, the committee should be satisfied that the accessory building is intended for personal use and not for commercial purposes.”
Redmond wrote that “the impact on the immediate area of the property appears to be minimal.”
The property is approximately 2.8 acres in size, and is surrounded by large farms zoned agricultural.
In speaking to council, Trent Gascho said he was not aware he needed an additional permit since zoning at the time the initial shed was built allowed for accessory structures up to 2,000 square feet.
When asked if there were plans to enclose the overhang, he said there are none – at this time.
He intends to store wood under the overhang for an outdoor wood furnace. He then asked council if additional approvals are needed if at some future point he wished to put a stall for a cow or horse.
Kuipers said livestock enclosures have different setbacks than other accessory structures.
Councillor Larry Agla ased about the possibility of a penalty for building without a permit.
Kuipers said there are some issues the Gaschos must still deal with, and work is being done to address them – otherwise charges will be laid.
Council subsequently approved the minor variance.
