Project Background and Purpose
The Township is undertaking the process to update the Zoning By-law with a potential implementation date in the Fall of 2023. A complete revision of the Zoning Bylaw will address a number of topics that have arisen over the years and will also implement the policies and directions in the recently updated Official Plan. Once approved, the updated Zoning By-law will replace the current Zoning By-law (By-law No. 2005-6). The update began with an online survey which helped staff and Council gain insight on topics of interest to community members. With direction provided through the Planning Advisory & Committee of Adjustment staff have since drafted changes to the Zoning By-law and are now seeking feedback from the public on the draft document.
 
What is a Zoning By-law:
A Zoning By-law controls the use of land in the Township. The by-law is associated with schedules which divide land into zones and the document is used to regulate:
·        How land may be used
·        Where buildings and other structures can be located
·        The types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used
·        The lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights, and setbacks from the street
 
Community Feedback
During the Zoning By-law update process, a number of community engagement opportunities will be utilized to obtain feedback from residents and stakeholders. Please take the time to complete the following survey and provide your input. The information provided will be important in helping guide the development of the new Zoning By-law. The survey will be open until June 23rd, 2023.

The survey is 26 questions in length and should take approximately 15 -20 minutes to complete, depending on the complexity of your answers.

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* 1. Have you read the draft Zoning By-law? (can be accessed here: Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Update Webpage)

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* 2. It is proposed that “agriculture-related uses” are permitted in the Agriculture (A) Zone. These uses are commercial and industrial uses that are related to farm operations and can include abattoirs, feed mills, grain dryers, cold/dry storage facilities, fertilizer storage and distribution facilities, and food and beverage processors (e.g., wineries, breweries, cideries, and cheese factories). It is proposed that agricultural-related uses shall not occupy an area greater than 1 hectare. Do you believe that this is an appropriate size for limiting agriculture-related uses?

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* 3. If you answered “No, agricultural-related uses should be able to occupy an area greater than 1ha”, what maximum size should this use be allowed to occupy?

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* 4. If you answered “Neither, the 1ha maximum should be decreased”, what maximum size should this use be allowed to occupy?

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* 5. Dry-Land Marina is defined as the following:

“An establishment not located on a waterbody that contains facilities where boats and boat accessories are stored, serviced, repaired, maintained or kept for sale or rent and where facilities for the sale of marine fuels and lubricants, as well as the parking of customers’ vehicles, may be provided”

Should this use be permitted in commercial zones outside of villages?

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* 6. Vehicle Storage is defined as the following:

“An outdoor premises used for the storage of operative vehicles for commercial gain. Vehicle storage shall not permit facilities for the repair or maintenance of such vehicles and shall not include a salvage yard”

Should this use be permitted in commercial zones outside of villages as a main use?

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* 7. The draft Zoning By-law permits a minimum 30m2 (323sqft) size for a Tiny Dwelling. Currently, the minimum size for a house is 75sqm (808sqft). What do you think about this size for a Tiny Dwelling?

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* 8. If you answered “The minimum size for a Tiny Dwelling should be increased”, what should the minimum size be?

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* 9. If you answered “The minimum size for a Tiny Dwelling should be decreased”, what should the minimum size be?

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* 10. To ensure that the predominate nature of a lot is residential where a Tiny Dwelling is permitted, it is proposed that where a Tiny Dwelling is located on a lot of less than 1ha, no new accessory buildings or structures shall exceed the size of the Tiny Dwelling. Do you have concern with this provision?

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* 11. It is proposed that a Hunt Camp shall be subject to a maximum size of 93m2 (1000sqft) including attached decking. What do you think of this size for a Hunt Camp?

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* 12. If you answered “The maximum size for a Hunt Camp should be increased”, what should the maximum size be?

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* 13. If you answered “The maximum size for a Hunt Camp should be decreased”, what should the maximum size be?

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* 14. The draft Zoning By-law proposes that the maximum floor area of an Additional Residential Unit (ARU) shall not exceed 50% of the floor area of the main house. What do you think about this provision?

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* 15. If you answered “The percentage value should be increased to allow an ARU to be greater than 50% of the floor area of the main house”, what should the maximum percentage value be?

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* 16. If you answered “The percentage value should be decreased so that the ARU is restricted to less than 50% of the floor area of the main house”, what should the maximum percentage value be?

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* 17. In addition to the 50% maximum, the draft Zoning By-law proposes that the maximum floor area of the ARU should not exceed 93m2 (1000sqft). What do you think about this provision?

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* 18. If you answered “The floor area should be increased to allow for a larger maximum floor area”, what should the maximum floor area be?

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* 19. If you answered “The floor area should be decreased to allow for less floor area permitted”, what should the maximum floor area be?

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* 20. As per the recently updated Official Plan, Additional Residential Units (ARUs) should share one or more of the following elements with the main house: water supply, waste water system, road entrance. The draft Zoning By-law states that an ARU is to share 1 of those elements with the main house. Do you believe that this is sufficient, or that ARU’s should share 2, or 3 with the main house?

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* 21. Duplexes and Semi-Detached dwellings are those houses that contain 2 dwelling units that are typically equal in size. The draft Zoning By-Law is proposing to permit these housing options as of right in specific zones in villages provided it can be demonstrated that there is appropriate water and septic servicing. Should the Township consider permitting these housing options in other locations across the Township?

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* 22. The current Zoning By-law provides policies for Shoreline Occupancy:

 

“Notwithstanding any provisions of this By-law to the contrary, on any lot abutting a water body and used for purposes other than a marina, a maximum of 20% or 15 m of the shoreline area, whichever is lesser, shall be occupied by marine facilities, pump houses, stairs, decks, patios, gazebos and all other accessory buildings and structures. For the purposes of this section, the shoreline area shall include that portion of the lot lying within 3 m of the high water mark.”

The draft Zoning By-law proposes a revision to the shoreline provisions:

“Notwithstanding any provisions of this By-law to the contrary, on any lot abutting a water body and used for purposes other than a marina, a maximum of 20% or 15m of the shoreline area (see note #1), whichever is lesser, may be cleared for access, amenity and viewing purposes, occupied by marine facilities, pump houses, stairs, decks, patios, gazebos and all other accessory buildings and structures. The remainder of the shoreline area shall be maintained as a vegetative filter strip (see note #2).”

Note 1: The shoreline area is any portion of the shore of a waterbody within 3m of the high-water mark

Note 2: A vegetative filter strip shall mean a no mow planting area, of shrubs, trees, bushes, flowers and other similar substantive vegetation, reserved for the purposes of filtering sediment, nutrients and pollutants through treating of runoff and providing infiltration into soils.

Please note that the provision currently limits the amount of building and structures that can be located in the shoreline area, and that the revision pertains to the vegetative filter strip.

Please provide your comments on the proposed vegetative filter strip provision?

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* 23. Some communities have included requirements for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in their Zoning By-law associated with the requirements for parking spaces. Should the Township consider implementing requirements for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations?

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* 24. As part of the Zoning By-Law Update, the zoning schedules across the Township have been revised. You can access the zoning schedules here: Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Update Webpage

Do you have any questions or concerns about the zoning of your property? If you have questions or concerns please provide your contact information with property address for staff to follow up with you.

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* 25. Do you have any other comments regarding the Zoning By-law Update that you would like to provide?

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* 26. Please provide your email address if you would you like to be added to our Zoning By-law Update notification list.

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