DECISION MINOR VARIANCE
Committee of Adjustment
Comité de dérogation
Panel: 2 - Suburban
File: D08-02-25/A-00278
Application: Minor Variance under section 45 of the Planning Act
Applicants: C. and C. Cooper
Property Address: 150 Rochester
Ward: 14 - Somerset
Legal Description: Part of Lot 10, Registered Plan 29
Zoning: R4UD-c
Zoning By-law: 2008-250
Heard: March 3, 2026, in person and by videoconference
APPLICANTS’ PROPOSAL AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION
1The Applicants want to convert their duplex to a low-rise apartment building by adding two dwelling units, as shown on plans filed with the Committee.
2At its scheduled hearing on February 4, 2026, the Committee adjourned the application to allow the Applicant time to apply for additional variances.
REQUESTED VARIANCES
3The Applicants request that the Committee authorize minor variances from the Zoning By-law:
a) To permit a reduced lot width of 8.22 metres, whereas the By-law requires a minimum lot width of 10 metres.
b) To permit a reduced lot area of 253 square metres, whereas the By-law requires a minimum lot area of 300 square metres.
c) To permit a reduced interior (northerly) side yard setback of 0.02 metres, whereas the By-law requires a minimum interior side yard setback of 1.5 metres.
d) To permit a reduced interior (southerly) side yard setback of 1.34 metres, whereas the By-law requires a minimum interior side yard setback of 1.5 metres.
e) To permit a reduced front façade window percentage of 12.26%, whereas the By-law requires a minimum front façade window percentage of 25%.
4The property is not the subject of any other current application under the Planning Act.
PUBLIC HEARING
Oral Submissions Summary
5C. Cooper, one of the Applicants, and City Planner Penelope Horn were present.
6There were no objections to granting this unopposed application as part of the Panel’s fast-track consent agenda.
DECISION AND REASONS OF THE COMMITTEE: APPLICATION GRANTED
Application Must Satisfy Statutory Four-Part Test
7The 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 variances are minor, are 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
8Evidence 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 February 26, 2026, with no concerns; received January 29, 2026, requesting an adjournment.
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority email received February 23, 2026, with no objections; received January 27, 2026, with no objections.
Hydro Ottawa email received February 25, 2026, with comments; received January 28, 2026, with comments.
Effect of Submissions on Decision
9The Committee considered all written and oral submissions relating to the application in making its decision and granted the application.
10Based on the evidence, the Committee is satisfied that the requested variances meet all four requirements under subsection 45(1) of the Planning Act.
11The Committee notes that the City’s Planning Report raises “no concerns” regarding the application.
12The Committee also notes that no evidence was presented that the variances would result in any unacceptable adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
13Considering the circumstances, the Committee finds that, because the proposal fits well in the area, the requested variances are, 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.
14The Committee also finds that the requested variances maintain the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan because the proposal respects the character of the neighbourhood.
15In addition, the Committee finds that the requested variances maintain the general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law because the proposal represents orderly development that is compatible with the surrounding area.
16Moreover, the Committee finds that the requested variances, both individually and cumulatively, are minor because they will not create any unacceptable adverse impact on abutting properties or the neighbourhood in general.
17THE COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT ORDERS that the application is granted and the variances to the Zoning By-law are authorized, subject to the location and size of the proposed construction complying with the elevation plan filed with the Committee of Adjustment on January 13, 2026, and revised site plan filed with the Committee of adjustment on January 23, 2026, as they relate to the requested variances.
"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 March 13, 2026. “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 April 2, 2026.
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