Committee of Adjustment
Comité de dérogation
DECISION MINOR VARIANCE
Panel: 3 - Rural
File: D08-02-25/A-00222
Application: Minor Variance under section 45 of the Planning Act
Applicants: T. White and G. White
Property Address: 743 Meadowridge Circle
Ward: 5 - West Carleton-March
Legal Description: Lot 12, Registered Plan 4M-1498
Zoning: V1N [375r]
Zoning By-law: 2008-250
Heard: November 4, 2025, in person and by videoconference
APPLICANTS’ PROPOSAL AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION
1The Applicants want to regularize the existing accessory structure (pergola) located in the rear yard, as shown on plans filed with the Committee.
REQUESTED VARIANCE
2The Applicants request that the Committee authorize a minor variance from the Zoning By-law to permit a reduced westerly side yard setback of 0.23 metres for the accessory structure (pergola), whereas the by-law requires a minimum side yard setback of 0.6 metres for an accessory structure.
3The property is not the subject of any other current application under the Planning Act
PUBLIC HEARING
Oral Submissions Summary
4Taylor White, one of the Applicants, provided an overview of the application.
5The Committee also heard oral submissions from the following individuals:
- R. Miner and P. Miner, residents, highlighted concerns about the height and size of the proposed accessory structure, noting its potential impact on their privacy and access to sunlight. They also raised issues regarding possible drainage problems on their property.
6City Planner Wendy Yang confirmed that the pergola’s size and height were in conformity with the requirements for accessory structures under the Zoning By-law.
7In response to the Committee’s questions, Mr. White indicated that he would install eavestroughs on the pergola to help address concerns raised over potential drainage issues.
8Following the public hearing, the Committee reserved its decision.
DECISION AND REASONS OF THE COMMITTEE: APPLICATION GRANTED
Application Must Satisfy Statutory Four-Part Test
9The Committee has the power to authorize a minor variance from the provisions of the Zoning By-law if, in its opinion, the application meets all four requirements under subsection 45(1) of the Planning Act. It requires consideration of whether the variance is minor, is desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure, and whether the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan and the Zoning By-law are maintained.
Evidence
10Evidence 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, plans, photo of the posted sign, and a sign posting declaration.
City Planning Report received October 30, 2025, with no concerns.
Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority email received October 24, 2025, with no objections.
Hydro Ottawa email received October 29, 2025, with no comments.
R. Miner, resident, email received October 20. 2025, opposed; received October 30, 2025, opposed.
B. O’Connor and M. Herrndorf, residents, email received October 21, 2025, in support.
M. Jacques, resident, email received October 31, 2025, in support.
Effect of Submissions on Decision
11The Committee considered all written and oral submissions relating to the application in making its decision and granted the application.
12Based on the evidence, the Committee is satisfied that the requested variance meets all four requirements under subsection 45(1) of the Planning Act.
13The Committee notes that the City’s Planning Report raises “no concerns” regarding the application.
14The Committee also notes that no compelling evidence was presented that the variance would result in any unacceptable adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
15Considering the circumstances, the Committee finds that, because the proposal fits well in the area, the requested variance is, from a planning and public interest point of view, desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure on the property, and relative to the neighbouring lands.
16The Committee also finds that the requested variance maintains the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan because the proposal respects the character of the neighbourhood.
17In addition, the Committee finds that the requested variance maintains the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law because the proposal represents orderly development that is compatible with the surrounding area.
18Moreover, the Committee finds that the requested variance is minor because it will not create any unacceptable adverse impact on abutting properties or the neighbourhood in general.
19THE COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT ORDERS that the application is granted and the variance to the Zoning By-law is authorized, subject to the location and size of the proposed construction complying with the site plan filed with the Committee of Adjustment on October 2, 2025, as it relates to the requested variance.
"Terence Otto" TERENCE OTTO VICE-CHAIR
"Gary Duncan" GARY DUNCAN MEMBER
"Beth Henderson" BETH HENDERSON MEMBER
"Martin Vervoort" MARTIN VERVOORT MEMBER
"Jocelyn Chandler" JOCELYN CHANDLER MEMBER
I certify this is a true copy of the Decision of the Committee of Adjustment of the City of Ottawa, dated November 14, 2025. “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 and the filing fee must be submitted via one of the below options and must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. on December 4, 2025.
OLT E-FILE SERVICE – An appeal can be filed online through the E-File Portal. First-time users will need to register for a My Ontario Account. Select [Ottawa (City): Committee of Adjustment] as the Approval Authority. To complete the appeal, fill in all the required fields and provide the filing fee by credit card.
BY EMAIL - Appeal packages can be submitted by email to cofa@ottawa.ca. The appeal form is available on the OLT website at Forms | Ontario Land Tribunal. Please indicate on the appeal form that payment will be made by credit card.
IN PERSON – Appeal packages can be delivered to the Secretary-Treasurer, Committee of Adjustment, 101 Centrepointe Drive, 4th floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K2G 5K7. The appeal form is available on the OLT website at Forms | Ontario Land Tribunal. In person 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.
Please note only one of the above options needs to be completed. If your preferred method of appeal is not available at the time of filing, the appeal must be filed with one of the other two options.
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.
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 you have any questions about the appeal process, please visit File an Appeal | Ontario Land Tribunal
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Committee of Adjustment City of Ottawa Ottawa.ca/CommitteeofAdjustment cofa@ottawa.ca 613-580-2436
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