Is it time to revisit the height requirement for home construction

BARRHEAD-County of Barrhead councillors may have a discussion in the future about the height of new home construction.

That is according to Division 4 (Thunder Lake) Coun. Bill Lane.

"I think we have to look at the height restrictions out there. The [homes] that are being built now are huge because there is going to be a lot more lots sold out there," Lane said, adding the taller heights are a problem because they could potentially block the views of their neighbours.

Lane made the comments during April 20's Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) meeting on a discussion whether or not to approve a development application by Kevin Miller(on behalf of GSKJ Holdings) for a 10-foot front yard setback to construct a residence with an attached garage on a vacant Thunder Lake lot.

Later in the meeting councillors unanimously approved the application on the condition that notification of the proposed development is given to adjoining landowners as required under the Land-Use Bylaw. The applicant is also required to provide a final site and floor plans, which must meet the satisfaction of the county's development officer and be in compliance with the revised setbacks on the application.

"Normally I take the floor and site plans to see how it is going to impact neighbouring properties before making a recommendation, but they did not want to do their house plans until they knew what their building pocket was because they are going to be engaging an architect and that can be quite expensive," said development officer Jenny Bruns.

She added because there is a steep slope on the property, they would like the building pocket to be as close to the road as possible.

Bruns also said precedent has been set as the municipality approved a similar application nearby.

"We will permit the variance," she said. "So they know what the building pocket is ... the architect, when he does his drawings, will have to work around those parameters."

Bruns said she has had discussions with colleagues about potentially changing the 28.9-foot height limitation allowing residences in Thunder Lake and Lac La Nonne to be only a single story.

"It is so hard with the history. If this person was able to build his house with what is, essentially, a walkout basement, it becomes a three-story and the next guy can't. In a new development, it is easier," she said, noting any new height limitation could be incorporated into the area structure plan.

Coun. Darrell Troock said he would feel more comfortable if they required the applicant to provide a property report.

"We are preapproving him. Who is going to go out there to ensure he builds where he is supposed to?" he asked. "We've run into this before, where we had to make someone move his house. For me, it is a simple matter of having to get a property report, that is as solid of protection that the County of Barrhead can get.”

Regardless of whether or not they require an applicant to get a property report, it would still be after the fact, Bruns replied.

"If they did not conform to the permit, they would be liable for any consequences, not the municipality."

Portable two-story house

Councillors also approved during the MPC to approve Greg Hall's development application for the location of a temporary, two-story cabin for a Lac La Nonne property. The building would be built on skids and would be moveable.

The property is zoned as Residential Recreation, and as such, guest homes are allowed as a discretionary use.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com