Committee of Adjustment / Comité de dérogation
DECISION MINOR VARIANCE
Date of Decision: April 17, 2026
Panel: 1 - Urban
File: D-08-02-26/A-00019
Application: Minor Variance under section 45 of the Planning Act
Applicants: S. and K. Veinotte
Property Address: 142 Cathcart Street
Ward: 12 - Rideau-Vanier
Legal Description: Part of Lot 15 (South Cathcart Street), Registered Plan 42482
Zoning By-law: 2008-250
Zoning: R4UD
Heard: April 8, 2026, in person and by videoconference
APPLICANTS’ PROPOSAL AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION
1The Applicants wish to build a two-storey addition at the rear of the house, as well as a detached garage in the backyard, as shown in the plans submitted to the Committee. The existing one-storey additional at the rear of the house will be demolished.
REQUESTED VARIANCES
2The Applicants are requesting that the Committee authorize minor variances from the zoning regulations, as follows:
a) To permit a reduced westerly interior side yard setback for an accessory structure (detached garage) of 0 metres, whereas the By-law requires a minimum interior side yard setback for an accessory structure of 0.6 metres;
b) To permit an increased building height for an accessory structure (detached garage) of 4.4 metres, whereas the By-law permits a maximum building height for an accessory structure of 3.2 metres;
c) To permit a reduced westerly interior side yard setback for the second storey addition of 0 metres, whereas the By-law requires a minimum interior side yard setback of 0.6 metres.
3There are no other pending applications regarding the property under the Planning Act.
4For the purposes of the transition and continuation provisions of Zoning By-law 2026-50, these applications were deemed complete on March 2, 2026.
PUBLIC HEARING
Oral Submissions Summary
5S. Veinotte, one of the Applicants, presented a slide show, a copy of which may be obtained upon request from the Coordinator upon request. Mr. Veinotte provided an overview of the application and answered questions from the Panel.
6City Planner Penelope Horn was also present.
DECISION AND REASONS OF THE COMMITTEE: APPLICATION GRANTED
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 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
8The evidence reviewed by the Committee included all oral statements made during the hearing, as noted above, as well as the following written documents, which may be obtained upon request from the Coordinator:
Application and supporting documents, including cover letter, plans, tree information, photo of the posted sign, and a sign posting declaration.
City Planning Report received April 2, 2026, with no concerns.
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority email dated March 30, 2026, with no objections.
Hydro Ottawa email dated April 2, 2026, with comments.
D. Kearns and P. Gaby, residents, email dated April 7, 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 compelling 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, 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 are minor, both individually and cumulatively, 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 plans filed with the Committee of Adjustment on February, 25, 2026, as they relate to the requested variances.
"Jocelyn Chandler" JOCELYN CHANDLER ACTING PANEL CHAIR
"John Blatherwick" JOHN BLATHERWICK MEMBER
"Colin Haskin" COLIN HASKIN MEMBER
"Gary Duncan" GARY DUNCAN MEMBER
"Sharon Lécuyer" SHARON LÉCUYER MEMBER
Absent ARTO KEKLIKIAN MEMBER
I certify this is a true copy of the decision of the Ottawa Committee of Adjustment of the City of Ottawa, dated April 17, 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 May 7, 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