Victor Doyle,  Manager…

   Victor Doyle,  Manager

 Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

 Local Government and Planning Policy Division

 Provincial Planning Policy Branch

 777 Bay Street, Floor 13

 Toronto ON,           M5G 2E5

  Dear Sir:

  Re: Bill 7 – Proposed Planning Act Regulations

 Secondary Units

  The Town of Gananoque has been in favour of secondary suites or accessory apartments dating back to Zoning Bylaw 1991-37 and is included in the Community Planning Permit bylaw adopted in 2010. Additionally, the Provincial Policy Statement identifies that municipalities should provide a mix housing type throughout the community.  The Town meets the policy in this regard by permitting all type of housing in every residential designation (single, semi, duplex, triplex, townhouses, apartments).

  Additionally, secondary suites are permitted, with some restrictions.  The restrictions identify the type of housing that they are permitted in, a maximum area based on the size of the primary, privacy access and parking requirements along with a condition of an inspection from the Town building department and fire department.

  The Community Planning Permit, is our tool to provide a safe and healthy environment for our residents.  It is the Town’s assurance that individuals seeking secondary units are being accommodated and that the unit and the lands are in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood.

  Unfortunately, the Town deals with illegal apartments and in some case there is a concern for individual lives and welfare in some of the conditions in which they live.  Therefore, the ability to use the tool of a community planning permit has been a positive one for both tenant and owner moving forward.  The intent of the community planning permit is creating affordable housing and permitting residential intensification and redevelopment while maintaining levels of public health and safety.

  It is further understood, that the proposed regulations are to not require additional restrictions other than those that apply to principal dwellings and accessory buildings.  The Town does not view this as an additional restriction.  It is providing a positive long term goal for both tenant and property owner

  The term “secondary suite” currently used by the Town and the proposed regulations has a dictionary meaning of being developed from something else.  The ability to not stipulate a maximum area essentially determines that the secondary unit or can be equal or more than the primary unit.  This may result in a semi-detached or duplex dwelling in the case of a single family dwelling.

  In a rural municipality such as Gananoque, there is no public transportation available.  A large number of occupants have motor vehicles and the requirement to permit tandem parking will create additional territorial issues.  It is appreciated that tandem parking is beneficial where public transportation is available and may be a good option in other municipalities who choose to permit it, however, the requirement is not recognizing what may work in some communities will work in all.

 The proposed regulations to the secondary suites, is removing the Community Planning Permit tool that has assisted the Town in creating and development proper, safe and healthy environments.  The Town would respectfully ask that this be reconsidered.

  Thank you for this opportunity for comment.

  Yours truly,

  Erika Demchuk

  Mayor

[Original Comment ID: 209592]