Committee of Adjustment / Comité de dérogation
DECISION
CONSENT/SEVERANCE
Date of Decision: December 22, 2023
Panel: 2 - Suburban
File No(s).: D08-01-23/B-00270
Application: Consent under Section 53 of the Planning Act
Owner(s)/Applicant(s): Joel Lemieux and Jesseye Lu
Property Address: 970 and 974 Sheridan Avenue
Ward: 16 – River
Legal Description: Lot 117 and Part of lot 118, Registered Plan 314
Zoning: R2G
Zoning By-law: 2008-250
Hearing Date: December 12, 2023, in person and by videoconference
APPLICANTS’ PROPOSAL AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION
1The Owners want to subdivide their property into two separate parcels of land to create separate ownership for each half of an existing semi-detached dwelling.
CONSENT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING
2The Owners require the Committee’s consent to sever land.
3The severed land is shown as Part 2 on the Draft 4R plan filed with the application. This lot has a frontage of 9.10 metres, a depth of 30.44 metres, and a lot area of 277.04 square metres. This lot is known municipally as 974 Sheridan Avenue.
4The retained land is shown as Part 1 on said plan. This lot has a frontage of 9.19 metres, a depth of 30.44 metres, and a lot area of 279.74 square metres. This lot is known municipally as 970 Sheridan Avenue.
PUBLIC HEARING
Oral Submissions Summary
5Joel Lemieux, Agent for the Applicants, and City Planner Siobhan Kelly were present.
DECISION AND REASONS OF THE COMMITTEE: APPLICATION GRANTED
Application Must Satisfy Statutory Tests
6Under the Planning Act, the Committee has the power to grant a consent if it is satisfied that a plan of subdivision of the land is not necessary for the proper and orderly development of the municipality. Also, the Committee must be satisfied that an application is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and has regard for matters of provincial interest under section 2 of the Act, as well as the following criteria set out in subsection 51(24):
Criteria
(24) In considering a draft plan of subdivision, regard shall be had, among other matters, to the health, safety, convenience, accessibility for persons with disabilities and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of the municipality and to,
a) the effect of development of the proposed subdivision on matters of provincial interest as referred to in section 2;
b) whether the proposed subdivision is premature or in the public interest;
c) whether the plan conforms to the official plan and adjacent plans of subdivision, if any;
d) the suitability of the land for the purposes for which it is to be subdivided;
d.1) if any affordable housing units are being proposed, the suitability of the proposed units for affordable housing;
e) the number, width, location and proposed grades and elevations of highways, and the adequacy of them, and the highways linking the highways in the proposed subdivision with the established highway system in the vicinity and the adequacy of them;
f) the dimensions and shapes of the proposed lots;
g) the restrictions or proposed restrictions, if any, on the land proposed to be subdivided or the buildings and structures proposed to be erected on it and the restrictions, if any, on adjoining land;
h) conservation of natural resources and flood control;
i) the adequacy of utilities and municipal services;
j) the adequacy of school sites;
k) the area of land, if any, within the proposed subdivision that, exclusive of highways, is to be conveyed or dedicated for public purposes;
l) the extent to which the plan’s design optimizes the available supply, means of supplying, efficient use and conservation of energy; and
m) the interrelationship between the design of the proposed plan of subdivision and site plan control matters relating to any development on the land, if the land is also located within a site plan control area designated under subsection 41 (2) of this Act or subsection 114 (2) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006. 1994, c. 23, s. 30; 2001, c. 32, s. 31 (2); 2006, c. 23, s. 22 (3, 4); 2016, c. 25, Sched. 4, s. 8 (2).
Evidence
7Evidence considered by the Committee included all oral submissions made at the hearing, as highlighted above, and the following written submissions held on file with the Secretary-Treasurer and available from the Committee Coordinator upon request:
- Application and supporting documents, including cover letter, parcel registry, plans, tree information report, photo of the posted sign, and a sign posting declaration.
- City Planning Report received December 7, 2023, with no concerns.
- Rideau Valley Conservation Authority email received December 7, 2023, with no concerns.
- Hydro Ottawa email received December 6, 2023, with no concerns.
- Hydro One email received December 5, 2023, with no concerns.
Effect of Submissions on Decision
8The Committee considered all written and oral submissions relating to the application in making its decision and granted the application.
9The Committee notes that the City’s Planning Report raises “no concerns” regarding the application, highlighting that the application will establish separate ownership for the existing semi-detached dwelling.”
10Based on the evidence, the Committee is satisfied that the proposal is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement that promotes efficient land use and development as well as intensification and redevelopment within built-up areas, based on local conditions. The Committee is also satisfied that the proposal has adequate regard to matters of provincial interest, including the orderly development of safe and healthy communities; the appropriate location of growth and development; and the protection of public health and safety. Additionally, the Committee is satisfied that a plan of subdivision of the land is not necessary for the proper and orderly development of the municipality. Moreover, the Committee is satisfied that the proposal has adequate regard for the criteria specified under subsection 51(24) of the Planning Act and is in the public interest.
11THE COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT therefore grants the provisional consent, subject to the following conditions, which must be fulfilled within a two-year period from the date of this Decision:
That the Owner(s) provide evidence (i.e., servicing plan), to the satisfaction of the Development Review Manager of the West Branch within the Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department, or his/her designate, to be confirmed in writing from the Department to the Committee, that both the severed and retained parcels have their own independent water, sanitary and sewer connection, as appropriate, and that these services do not cross the proposed severance line and are connected directly to City infrastructure. If they do cross the proposed severance line, or they are not independent, the Owner(s) will be required to relocate or construct new services from the city sewers and/or watermain at his/her own costs.
That the Owner(s) enter a Joint Use, Maintenance and Common Elements Agreement at the expense of the Owner(s), setting forth the obligations between the Owner(s) and the proposed future owners. The Joint Use, Maintenance and Common Elements Agreement shall set forth the joint use and maintenance of all common elements including, but not limited to, the common party walls, structural elements such as roof, footings, soffits, foundations, common areas, common driveways, and common landscaping.
The Owner(s) shall ensure that the Agreement is binding upon all the unit owners and successors in title and shall be to the satisfaction of Development Review Manager of the South Branch within the Planning, Real Estate and Economic Department and City Legal Services. The Committee requires written confirmation that the Agreement is satisfactory to the Planning, Real Estate and Economic Department and City Legal Services, as well as a copy of the Agreement and written confirmation from City Legal Services that it was registered on title.
That the Owner(s) provide evidence to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official, or designate, that the party wall meets the Ontario Building Code, O Reg. 332/12 as amended, which requires a 1-hour fire separation from the basement through to the underside of the roof. Verification from the Building Inspector is required. If necessary, a building permit shall be obtained from Building Code Services for any required alterations.
The Owner(s) shall submit a Trees in Trust application for one new 50mm tree to be planted in the right-of-way in front of each lot, to enhance the urban tree canopy and streetscape. https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/environment-conservation-and-climate/trees-and-urban-forests/tree-planting#trees-trust
That the Owner(s) file with the Committee a copy of the registered Reference Plan prepared by an Ontario Land Surveyor registered in the Province of Ontario, and signed by the Registrar, confirming the frontage and area of the severed land. If the Registered Plan does not indicate the lot area, a letter from the Surveyor confirming the area is required. The Registered Reference Plan must conform substantially to the Draft Reference Plan filed with the Application for Consent.
That upon completion of the above conditions, and within the two-year period outlined above, the Owner(s) file with the Committee, the “electronic registration in preparation documents” for a Conveyance for which the Consent is required.
“Fabian Poulin” FABIAN POULIN VICE-CHAIR
“Jay Baltz” JAY BALTZ MEMBER
“George Barrett” GEORGE BARRETT MEMBER
“Heather MacLean” HEATHER MACLEAN MEMBER
“Julianne Wright” JULIANNE WRIGHT MEMBER
I certify this is a true copy of the Decision of the Committee of Adjustment of the City of Ottawa, dated December 22, 2023.
“Michel Bellemare” MICHEL BELLEMARE SECRETARY-TREASURER
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO APPEAL
To appeal this decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), a completed appeal form along with payment must be received by the Secretary-Treasurer of the Committee of Adjustment by January 11, 2023, delivered by email at cofa@ottawa.ca and/or by mail or courier to the following address:
Secretary-Treasurer, Committee of Adjustment, 101 Centrepointe Drive, 4th floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K2G 5K7
The Appeal Form is available on the OLT website at https://olt.gov.on.ca/. The Ontario Land Tribunal has established a filing fee of $400.00 per type of application with an additional filing fee of $25.00 for each secondary application. Payment can be made by certified cheque or money order made payable to the Ontario Minister of Finance, or by credit card. Please indicate on the Appeal Form if you wish to pay by credit card. If you have any questions about the appeal process, please contact the Committee of Adjustment office by calling 613-580-2436 or by email at cofa@ottawa.ca.
Only the applicant, the Minister or a specified person or public body that has an interest in the matter may appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal. A “specified person” does not include an individual or a community association.
There are no provisions for the Committee of Adjustment or the Ontario Land Tribunal to extend the statutory deadline to file an appeal. If the deadline is not met, the OLT does not have the authority to hold a hearing to consider your appeal.
If a major change to condition(s) is requested, you will be entitled to receive Notice of the changes only if you have made a written request to be notified.
NOTICE TO APPLICANT(S)
All technical studies must be submitted to Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department a minimum of 40 working days prior to lapsing date of the consent. Should a Development Agreement be required, such request should be initiated 15 working days prior to lapsing date of the consent and should include all required documentation including the approved technical studies.
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Committee of Adjustment City of Ottawa Ottawa.ca/CommitteeofAdjustment cofa@ottawa.ca 613-580-2436
Comité de dérogation Ville d’Ottawa Ottawa.ca/Comitedederogation cded@ottawa.ca 613-580-2436