Cale Henderson

The appellant appealed the Committee of Adjustment's refusal of a minor variance to reduce the front yard setback from 7.5 metres to 0.6 metres for a sleeping cabin on a private island.

The Tribunal found that the reduced setback would result in unacceptable adverse visual impacts on the shoreline and neighbouring properties, contrary to the Official Plan's goal of preserving the natural waterfront character.

The Tribunal preferred the municipality's planning evidence and concluded the variance failed all four tests under section 45(1) of the Planning Act.

The appeal was dismissed.

The applicant appealed the Township's Committee of Adjustment decision denying a minor variance to permit the replacement of an existing single-storey condominium unit with a 1.5-storey unit.

The variance sought to increase the maximum permitted floor area from 80 square metres to 114.2 square metres.

The Tribunal allowed the appeal and authorized the variance, preferring the applicant's expert planning evidence that the proposal maintained the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law, was minor in nature, and was desirable for the appropriate development of the land.

The appellants appealed a Committee of Adjustment decision denying a minor variance to permit the construction of a boathouse on their property.

The variance sought relief from the minimum lot frontage requirement.

The Tribunal dismissed the appeal, accepting the uncontroverted expert planning evidence that the proposed boathouse would have a prominent visual impact on the shoreline, contrary to the Official Plan's intent to minimize built form and preserve the natural aesthetic.