Essex Zoning By-Law amended to support affordable housing initiatives, residential intensification
Council for the Town of Essex authorized amending the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law for the municipality to permit alternative housing options in residential districts at its June 3 meeting.
On May 21, a statutory public meeting was hosted to support residential intensification and affordable housing initiatives, and meet new Bill 23 – More Homes Built Faster Act – requirements.
Some of the recommendations included amending the Residential District 1.1 (R1.1) that currently only permits a single-detached dwelling to allow for a wider-range of low-density housing. A proponent would then not be required to ask for a Zoning By-Law Amendment for single-unit dwelling, two-unit dwellings, three-unit dwellings, and semi-detached dwelling.
Amending the R2.1 medium-density Zoning District that currently allows for single and semi-detached dwellings to allow townhome dwellings up to three units, and two and three unit dwellings.
In addition, amending the R3.1 high-density Zoning District that currently permits semi-detached, townhomes, and multi-units to allow two and three unit dwellings also.
The Town, it was noted at the statutory meeting, needs to look at its building and lot regulations. The current minimum lot width is 15m for single unit, 18m for semi-detached, and 24m for townhome dwellings. It was proposed to reduce that to 12m, 15m, and 21m respectively.
With Bill 23, the Town can no longer prescribe a minimum gross floor area. The Zoning By-Law has to be amended to remove the gross floor area and allow for the Ontario Building Code to prescribe that. That will facilitate the development of tiny homes and housing tenures, such as land lease.
It was also proposed to amend the Zoning By-Law to the General Provisions for Accessory Buildings to a main dwelling to facilitate Additional Dwelling Units. That includes allowances for a maximum of two onsite parking spaces for lands owned by Essex Non-Profit Homes instead of three, specifically, 107, 126, and 143 Michael Drive. A grant was received for three-unit dwellings. There is on-street parking available.
With Council having concerns with this, alternative designs will be submitted to accommodate required parking onsite, Director of Development Services, Lori Chadwick, explained.
The proposed amendment for year-round occupancy on vacant land at Klie’s Beach was removed from the By-Law, Chadwick said. That will allow for a solution to be developed. When one is found, an application for a Site Specific Zoning Amendment can be made.
This is zoned for three-season occupancy.
At the previous Statutory meeting, it was noted there is potential to develop areas of this property –those vacant to the right-side – to allow for full season occupancy.
“We hope you see this as an opportunity in response to the Province’s call to build more homes,” Chadwick told Council.
Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
