Source from: Midland Today
From garden suites to additional dwelling units, Tiny councillor spots possible $5,000 gain for residents pending permissions from planning and development department.
Another step forward was made in the progression of affordable housing in Tiny Township, when councillors discussed a potential $5,000 deposit return for creating additional dwelling units in the form of garden suites.
As a simple bylaw matter for a mutual release and termination of a temporary use agreement for a garden suite within the municipality, a question was raised afterward by a curious Coun. Steffen Walma to planning and development staff.
“Through the province’s inclusionary zoning, we’ve started to allow secondary – even tertiary – dwellings on properties as part of their affordable housing initiative,” Walma explained during the recent committee of the whole meeting. “The County of Simcoe has grants available for those that are looking to put in additional dwelling units.
“Would a garden suite fit that definition?” asked Walma. “While the garden suite was one option in the past and it was usually meant for family, I’m assuming that when we end this (temporary use) agreement, this dwelling is usually removed?”
Planning and development director Maryann Hunt responded that the temporary use provision of a garden suite was an older provincial policy used by municipalities to allow additional dwellings on properties.
“Now that this is expired, then all the regular additional dwelling unit permissions in the township zoning bylaw and official plan apply,” said Hunt.
As per the township, garden suites are defined as a one-unit dwelling unit with bathroom and kitchen facilities contained in a detached accessory building designed for temporary use; one example provided is a mobile home.
Walma followed up with a question asking if a garden suite could meet the standards of an additional dwelling unit (ADU) if left as is, with Hunt replying that it would still need to be examined for permissions such as those within the zoning bylaw, but that staff would explore that as an option for residents.
“That would be staff’s intention to let residents know about the ADU permissions,” said Hunt, “and I’m not aware of how many temporary use bylaws are in existence right now for garden suites, but that would certainly be something we would look to pass information on.”
For his final line of questioning, Walma noted that the township holds a $5,000 deposit for garden suites, with Hunt confirming that for a structure being converted to an additional dwelling unit, “most of that will be returned after the legal fees are paid; but there’s no deposit or anything required for an ADU if it meets the zoning regulations and they can just move forward to building permit for that.”
Walma then addressed the audience at the meeting. “Just an FYI to anyone that has a temporary use, that they could be changing it just to an ADU and getting their money back early.”
“If it meets the zoning regulations for ADUs, yes,” Hunt quickly amended.
Information on the zoning bylaw standards for additional structures can be found on the Tiny Township website.The municipality requests that those looking for additional information should contact the planning and development department.
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