You are invited to attend the 1st step in updating our zoning by-law: a review of the by-law as it pertains to Nobleton. Even if you live elsewhere in the Township you may find this to be interesting as this review will likely serve as a template for the other villages; in addition it is a good opportunity to understand more fully all that is encompassed in the zoning by-law. The 1st public meeting is Tuesday, December 16th 6-8 PM with a formal presentation at 6:30 at the Nobleton Arena and Community Center.
For many people their first encounter with the zoning by-law for their property is when they wish to do some construction, to make some changes. Then, they learn about required set backs from property lines, height limitations etc. It is in this by-law that types of uses/activity for a property is determined; what the density can be. In short, it is an extremely important policy in terms of impact on your neighbourhood.
Here are a couple of my ideas for new concepts to be incorporated into the zoning by-law.
- permit legal apartments, independent living units within areas currently zoned as single residential homes. I see this as a very reasonable way for addressing our lack of housing choices for Seniors. Such units could enable a Senior who is reluctant to stay alone in their home to stay as there is someone living close by. Such units could enable someone to have aged parents living with them without eliminating the independence of the parents. I would see such a zoning by-law incorporating restrictions on size and other issues. I suspect that these living arrangements exist today in King but they are not legal and very possibly they are not safe; by establishing such a policy we can ensure that it is safe for both parties.
- design of replacement houses (i.e. those built in established neighbourhoods & subdivisions as the second or third house on the lot) to be controlled such that established neighbourhood’s “character” is respected.
- add a maximum percentage of “hardscaping” on a lot as opposed to only restricting lot coverage to 30%. Given the trend towards pools and outdoor living with terraces etc. it is possible that a lot could have very little permeable area (i.e. lawn & gardens); hence very little rain water will be absorbed on that lot whereas it will drain to neighbours’ properties. I believe that the new subdivisions being created today do have such restrictions; but, in our older subdivisions there is only the lot coverage limitation which addresses house size only.
I welcome you to make comments on this blog as your ideas might trigger someone else to think about the issues. You also can contact Planning at nobletonzblreview@king.ca with any questions or comments.
Hi Debbie,
I agree with you that the updating of the Nobleton Community Plan is very important. I object however to the timing of this meeting. Many people will be in the throes of going to visit their family and might not even be in Ontario at this time. Yes, the boards used will be available on the web AFTER the event, but that will be even closer to the holidays and frankly who will have time to look at boards at this time of year. This meeting should not have been planned for the second half of December. To have meaningful input, one should carefully consider the timing of public meetings.
One thing that bothers me about updating this plan… We need to know whether or not the second phase of the sewers is going to go ahead. If it is, then until the sewage plant is re-rated, there will be no capacity for further development other than what has already been approved. When the OMB was held to approve increased debt for the Township to take on the sewer project, sworn testimony was given by the Township staff (Head of Engineering Rob Flindall) that phase two would occur, in answer to a question posed by the chair of the OMB.