Each area of the Town of…

Each area of the Town of Oakville has varying distinct lotting patterns which are further reinforced by the minimum zoning standards. These minimum standards include minimum lot sizes and lot frontages. These mechanisms determine the overall lot size that would be required and what could be appropriate when considering a potential severance of a parcel of land. In some zones the minimum lot sizes are consistent with the lots in an area and sometimes they are greater or less than what is typical.

The Town relies on the Committee of Adjustment processes for severances and potential minor variances associated with them, to assess whether a lot is proposed to be an appropriate size to warrant a severance. Through the Committee of Adjustment process, mitigation of impacts can be appropriately evaluated and then required through conditions, which would not possible if a zoning standard is removed completely. If there are no minimum lot sizes, the criteria for considering if a severance is appropriate would be reduced, and potential impacts to neighbouring properties could be overlooked.

Currently, the Town has a residential zoning review underway. Staff are exploring reducing the number of residential low zones and right-sizing / reducing minimum frontages and lot areas to be consistent with what is already occurring in an area. This effort will assist in making approvals less onerous. While staff support encouraging broader housing options, some requirement is still appropriate to ensure that an adequately-sized home can fit on the lot while still maintaining adequate permeable surfaces (to support stormwater management), setbacks, lot coverage and amenity space for residents.

When increasing the number of lots in an area, it can result in more driveway cuts which can have an impact on the public realm. These impacts could result in loss of and/or impacts to street trees and the overall tree canopy of the municipality, street furniture, transportation stops/facilities, available on-street parking, etc. These complex considerations should be left to a local municipality to determine if and where such density is appropriate.

Municipalities should be able to determine the appropriate minimum lot sizes based on the characteristics and conditions of each area. Variety in housing is provided throughout the Town, and that variety should be maintained and at the discretion of the town to determine the suitability based on local factors.

Minimum lot size rules can either unlock missing-middle housing or, if applied rigidly, stifle diverse housing forms and ignore local servicing / tree / heritage constraints. Municipal flexibility and impact assessment are vital.