Plans to build semi's on Centre Street to public next week

Posted September 11, 2012

A public meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday evening to deal with a rezoning application that would replace a plan to build seven single detached houses with one permitting construction of 14 semi-detached units from 111 through to 133 on Centre Street in Angus.

"The seven lots affected are smaller than what the R2 Zone would normally accommodate, and therefore, a special exception (R2-5) would apply," according to the staff report to Essa councillors.

The R2-5 Zone contains the following provisions:

A requirement for 9 m of frontage
A requirement for 270m2 of area
A maximum lot coverage of 50 per cent
A front and rear yard setback of 7.5 m
An interior side yard setback of 1.2 m which can be reduced in half where one home is abutting another home with a setback of 1.2 m; and
An exterior side yard setback of 4.5 m.

The semi-detached homes will be two storeys in height on full municipal services and are sandwiched between old and new lots in town.

"The proposed zoning is a low-density use and would be in keeping with the Official Plan designation for the property. Provincial policy promotes compact lots in settlement areas on municipal water and waste water systems. Agricultural lands would not be in danger and the use is one of intensification on lands within the existing built-boundary of Angus," according to Planning Manager Colleen Healey's report to council.

"One neighbour has already questioned the details of the application and expressed concern for a loss of privacy. They may be requesting a privacy fence bordering the subject land or landscaped buffering. A loss of privacy may also occur depending on the number of storeys bordering neighbours' homes. Mitigation measures should be considered by Council to help offset the concerns for the more-dense proposal. Also, while trying to accommodate for growth, Council will want to preserve compatibility with the neighbourhood."

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