South Frontenac looks at additional dwelling units - April 4

South Frontenac Council met in April, in a combined council/committee of the whole meeting. The meeting included a public meeting dealing with one of the specific subjects in the township’s new official plan, the approval of additional dwelling units on residential lots.

Senior Planner Christine Woods outlined the proposed changes, which would permit up to two additional dwelling units on residential properties, in the township, that satisfy certain conditions.

Additional dwelling units, which are known as granny flats, bachelor flats and other names, are one way for a rural township such as South Frontenac to diversify the mix of housing available, potentially adding affordable rental units.

The two units that would be permitted could either both be added units within the main building, or one unit within the main house, and a separate dwelling located no more than 40 metres from the main building. Second floor or loft units on top of garages are also part of the mix.

Christine Woods said that in preparing the amendment, township planning staff were mindful of the proposals for additional dwelling units that have come before the Committee of Adjustment, in recent years.

“The intent of the amendment is to simplify the process, and to bring our new official plan into conformity with the Frontenac County Official Plan, which promotes this kind of development,” she said.

When asked if adhering with provincial initiatives are forcing the changes, Woods said they are not, because the province only requires approvals be facilitated, for additional dwellings, in locations where public water and sewage systems are in place, which is not the case in South Frontenac.

Among the new proposals are to have the height of residential and ancillary buildings in the townships capped at 8 metres instead of the current 6 metres, and to eliminate the requirement that all ancillary buildings, including garages, need to be located behind the main residence on a lot.

“The requirement for a 20-metre setback from a roadway is enough to ensure that proper distances will be maintained,” said Woods.

The proposal also includes a 90-metre setback from a water body for additional dwellings, and 300 metres from a trout sensitive lake, making it unlikely any waterfront property owner in the township will be able to put in ancillary units. The setback for primary residence from the high-water mark is only 30 metres.

After all of the conditions that will need to be met in order to put in additional dwelling units, a member of the public said they are concerned that the regulations will make it harder than it is now, to get approval.

Councillor Scott Trueman said he shares that concern, and “we need to make sure that the process remains simplified and that extra studies and well capacity tests are only imposed when they are required.

As the public meeting came to a close, Woods said the comments will be incorporated into the final proposal that will be included in the official plan proposal that will come back to council in June.

Waste Site report from Cambium Con-

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