Outdated regulations - Refreshed zoning

NRU
Jan. 25, 2017
By Andrew Cohrs

The speed at which Brampton has developed over the past 15 years has left it with an outdated zoning by-law. As a result, Brampton is reviewing and updating its zoning by-law to include new uses and definitions, and to make it more user-friendly for both residents and staff.

“Our planning documents are a little out of date because of the pace of development that’s happened in Brampton. But we recognize that to move forward we need to have updated documents... It’s a refresh of a by-law that really needs to be refreshed,” Brampton land use policy manager David Waters told NRU.

Introduced in 2004, Brampton’s zoning by-law is a consolidation of four previous by-laws that regulated different areas of Brampton prior to its incorporation as a municipality. Waters said that a lot has changed since 2004, including a new official plan, so an overhaul is needed. The in force bylaw does not contemplate infill or redevelopment nor does it include terminology or direction for land uses occurring today.

“100 per cent [of things have changed since 2004]... The language of the [existing] by-law is very antiquated, with terms and uses that no longer exist anymore... It’s basically black and white, it’s [only] text.... As a municipality matures and ages, you’ve got infill development, you’ve got variances. So it also needs to be updated to have regards for those kinds of processes.”

Brampton project manager Yuri Mantsvetov told NRU that satellite dish antennae, taverns, kennels, amusement arcades and adult videotape uses are among the outdated terms. While missing from the by-law are references to freight classification yards, transport terminals, flea markets, uses associated with pet daycare and grooming services, privacy screens on elevated decks, bed and breakfasts, short term rentals, such as AirBnB, and commercial self-storage.

Waters added that incorporating illustrations will help clarify regulations for staff since the current bylaw is only text, noting that at times, staff has struggled with interpreting regulations. In addition, online public access will be improved.

“[Changes will include] a more user-friendly by-law, a by-law that has illustrations to help the reader and also we are looking at enhancing the online experience... We want to make it more user friendly for both staff and the public.”

The review is a multiyear project, with public consultations scheduled for June 2018. Waters is optimistic that a refreshed zoning bylaw will have a major impact on processing development applications in Brampton.

“We are trying to reduce the number of committee of adjustment applications where the by-law doesn’t really address or doesn’t provide direction and is somewhat outdated regarding the types of uses, the setbacks or performance standards.”

WSP | MMM Group has been hired to conduct the comprehensive zoning by-law review. A finalized communications strategy and official plan conformity checklist are scheduled for approval in January and February respectively.