Committee of Adjustment
Comité de dérogation
DECISION MINOR VARIANCE
March 27, 2026
Panel:
1 - Urban
File:
D08-02-26/A-00011
Application:
Minor Variance under section 45 of the Planning Act
Applicant(s)
B. and K. Morris
Property Address:
60 Pinehurst Avenue
Ward:
15 - Kitchissippi
Legal Description
Lot 106, Registered Plan 88291
Zoning
RHU-B
Zoning By-law:
2008-250
Heard:
March 18, 2026, in person and by videoconference
APPLICANTS’ PROPOSAL AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION
1The Applicants want to renovate the existing detached garage to add a vehicle lift, 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:
a) To permit an increased building height for an accessory structure (garage) of 4.36 metres, whereas the By-law permits a maximum building height of 3.6 metres for an accessory structure.
b) To permit an increased exterior wall height for an accessory structure (garage) of 3.45 metres, whereas the By-law permits a maximum height of the exterior walls of 3.2 metres for an accessory structure.
3For the purposes of the transition and continuation provisions of Zoning By-law 2026-50, these applications were deemed to be complete on February 16, 2026.
PUBLIC HEARING
Oral Submissions Summary
4Paul Telfer, agent for the Applicants, provided an overview of the application and responded to questions from the Committee, highlighting that the proposed garage was exclusively for personal use and the Applicants would not use the building for residential purposes in the future.
5Responding to the Panel’s questions, City Planner Penelope Horn confirmed that while the proposed detached garage is considered an accessory building for zoning purposes, if a residential use was introduced, it would be considered a coach house.
DECISION AND REASONS OF THE COMMITTEE: APPLICATION GRANTED
Application Must Satisfy Statutory Four-Part Test
6The 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
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, plans, tree information, photo of the posted sign, and a sign posting declaration.
City Planning Report received March 12, 2026, with no concerns.
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority email dated March 10, 2026, with no objections.
Hydro Ottawa email dated March 10, 2026, with comments.
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.
9Based on the evidence, the Committee is satisfied that the requested variances meets all four requirements under subsection 45(1) of the Planning Act.
10The Committee notes that the City’s Planning Report raises “no concerns” regarding the application.
11The Committee also notes that no evidence was presented that the variances would result in any unacceptable adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
12Considering 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.
13The 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.
14In 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.
15Moreover, 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.
16THE 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 plans filed with the Committee of Adjustment on January 28, 2026, and being restricted to the life of the proposed accessory building only.
"Ann M. Tremblay" ANN M. TREMBLAY CHAIR
"John Blatherwick" JOHN BLATHERWICK MEMBER
"Colin Haskin" COLIN HASKIN MEMBER
"Arto Keklikian" ARTO KEKLIKIAN MEMBER
"Sharon Lécuyer" SHARON LÉCUYER MEMBER
I certify this is a true copy of the decision of the Ottawa Committee of Adjustment, dated March 27, 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 16, 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 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
Comité de dérogation Ville d’Ottawa Ottawa.ca/Comitedederogation cded@ottawa.ca 613-580-2436