REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: July 6, 2020 Report No. EPW-20-017
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Jeff Miller, Director of Engineering and Public Works
SUBJECT:
Title
Boulevard Alteration Permit - 905 Shearwater Street End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve Boulevard Alteration Permit No. 00045 as outlined in Staff Report No. EPW-20-017, to construct a widened driveway at 905 Shearwater Street
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw, 2015, No. 2860
Council Policy No. E&PW-02 - Guide to Boulevard Modifications
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Excellence in Public Service - Engage, respect, and respond to the needs of our community.
BACKGROUND:
During a site visit to Shearwater Street, staff noted that the owner of 905 Shearwater Street had placed gravel on the municipal boulevard to widen the driveway into the home. The original driveway was 3.8 m wide, and flared to 5.2 m at the curb. The gravel that has been placed widens the overall driveway to a consistent width of approximately 7.7 m, essentially doubling the width of the driveway. The curb is a mountable curb and will allow vehicles to go over it at the new width of the driveway.
Staff sent a letter to the homeowner informing that the widened driveway was excessive and could not be approved without Council approving a Boulevard Alteration Permit (BAP). The resident was directed to either remove the gravel or apply for a BAP. It is the understanding of staff that should the permit be approved, the resident intends to pave the entire driveway.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the petition was circulated with a letter prepared by the Township to the 13 residences, requesting residents to provide input, as required, via an email to Engineering staff. Residents who did not respond to the correspondence were deemed to have “no comments” by default and consent to the approval of the BAP.
The results of the survey are as follows:
• Number of properties canvassed: 13 of 13
• Test 1 - 90% of properties canvassed
• Number of property owners who signed the petition: 11 of 13
• Eleven consented by default by not providing a response
• Two sent in negative responses
• Test 2 - 80% of properties signed the petition
As per the Guide to Boulevard Modifications, the survey meets both of the tests for a BAP to be implemented. The public feedback received is detailed in Attachment No. 1.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
905 Shearwater Street is zoned RD-3 - Two Family/Single Family Residential. It is a single family home with a secondary building in the rear of the property. The zoning bylaw provides a maximum driveway width for duplexes of 5.5 m. This property is not a duplex, however if the maximum width for duplexes is 5.5 m it seems that a reasonable driveway width for a single family home should be no wider than 5.5 m. Since the resident is looking for a 7.7 m wide driveway, this exceeds the width and needs to be approved as a Boulevard Alteration Permit.
It is the recommendation of staff that the Boulevard Alteration Permit No. 00045 be approved.
2. Organizational Implications
The issuing of the boulevard alternation Permit will not have any significant organization implications.
3. Financial Implications
There are no financial implications to the Township to this proposal.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
If Council approves this proposal, the homeowner will likely proceed with paving the gravel to complete the widening of the driveway. An area of the boulevard that had been grassed will be converted to an impervious surface. This slightly increases the potential for runoff, placing a higher load on the storm system. Furthermore, lawns are a source of oxygen and provide visual relief from the concrete and asphalt.
5. Communication & Engagement
Once Council provides direction, the lot owner of 905 Shearwater Street will be notified of the approval of the boulevard alteration permit for the driveway.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council approve Boulevard Alteration Permit No. 00045 as outlined in Staff Report No. EPW-20-017, to construct a widened driveway at 905 Shearwater Street.
2. That Council not approve the Boulevard Alteration Permit No. 00045 as outlined in Staff Report No. EPW-20-017, to construct a widened driveway at 905 Shearwater Street.