Application for Minor Variance, Hutchins, File No: A/25/2007/HTE and Application for Consent, Holinshead, File No: B/59/2007/HTE
December 11, 2007 Chris Madej Manager of Planning Town of Huntsville 37 Main Street East Huntsville, ON P1H 1A1 Dear Chris: Re: Application for Minor Variance, Hutchins, File No: A/25/2007/HTE and Application for Consent, Holinshead, File No: B/59/2007/HTE Please excuse the delay in forwarding a response to these two applications. The delay was due to the difficulty in understanding the background to the applications. The reason for the Hutchins’ application for a minor variance, allowing for a reduced setback for the garage, was made clear after further inquiries were made. It appears that the garage is to be two-storey with living space on the second floor thus requiring an increased setback. The Holinshead application for consent to sever a portion of land to benefit Hutchins was not difficult to interpret but it opened up a number of questions with respect to any approvals previously given (for which we received no notification). Schedule “A” shows that the proposed dwelling will not sit on the footprint of the old one storey stucco dwelling. According to the understanding of the writer, this is in contravention of the current Comprehensive Zoning By-law. Should this not have required a public process for approval? With respect to the new dwelling, nothing is mentioned as to the lot coverage of the proposed dwelling and if it will exceed the lot coverage of the old. No indication is given as to whether the lot coverage exceeds requirements of the current Zoning By-law with respect to the total lot area. Most importantly, due to the very decreased setback of the building from the shoreline (8.6m), no mention is made of septic system requirements. The Huntsville Lakes Council would like assurances that Town has ensured that the septic system setback meets the requirements of the By-law, even if Hutchins has to purchase more land from Holinshead to accomplish this. Alternatively, but with less assurance of efficacy, the system should be enhanced with a proven ability to bind phosphorus. The requirement already imposed by Town with respect to restoration of a natural vegetative buffer will need to be enforced due to the extreme closeness of the dwelling to the shoreline. Respectfully, Mary McCulley Chair, Policy Committee Huntsville Lakes Council cc Members of council
