The Manager of Planning Services provided introductory remarks.
The Senior Planner, Development and the Junior Planner presented regarding Detached Additional Residential Units (DARU) including what is a detached additional residential unit, attached and detached additional residential units, what is not permitted, purpose of detached additional residential units, provincial legislative changes Bill 108, O. Reg 299/19, and Bill 23; 2024 amendments to regulation 299/19; what municipalities can regulate - yard setbacks, building height, fire and pedestrian access, maximum size, amenity space; other considerations including servicing - water and sanitary, home occupations; a municipal scan of Barrie, Brampton, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, three-dimensional modeling overview; how properties can fit a detached additional residential unit; spatial analysis; servicing allocation; servicing for properties on septic; parking requirements; and next steps.
Members of Council queried the presenter regarding legislative parking requirements, lot coverage compared with lot area, number of units permitted, maximum sizes in various municipalities, shadowing of two storey structures, structure size with and without a cap; pre-approved documents; proximity of properties to the house; eligibility; structural requirements under the Ontario Building Code; fire safety and sprinkler requirements; legal authority to require sprinklers; pros and cons of various municipal approaches; prefabricated unit compliance with the Ontario Building Code; current by-law restrictions; how applications are currently adjudicated.
Members of Council discussed a percentage cap; potential pilot approach; set back considerations; timeline; a second meeting in 2025; and housing affordability.