Rear yard variances allowed

NRU
Oct. 14, 2015

In a September 29 decision, board vice-chair Susan de Avellar Schiller and member Richard Jones allowed an appeal by Charlotte Grosz and Joe Ontman against the City of Vaughan committee of adjustment’s refusal to grant minor variances for their property at 240 King High Drive. Grosz and Ontman sought variances to allow reduced setbacks for the existing rear yard cabana and a smaller soft landscaping area in the rear yard.

Neighbours Amos Schwarzberg and Lee Narducci testified at the hearing in opposition to the proposal. They raised concern about the cabana’s negative impacts on their privacy and said that drainage from the site now flows onto their properties.

Planner Andrew Walker (Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates) provided evidence on behalf of Grosz and Ontman.

Walker said that the combination of accessory buildings and the fence on Grosz and Ontman’s property provides screening and appropriate privacy. Walker cited a memorandum by city planning staff that stated it had no objection to the reduction of soft landscaping and moreover that the final construction has corrected the drainage issue.

The board agreed with the evidence presented by Walker and authorized the minor variances contingent upon the board receiving a certified copy of an on-site inspection confirming there is no drainage from the site to the neighbouring properties.

The solicitor involved in this decision was Daniel Artenosi (Overland LLP) representing Charlotte Grosz and Joe Ontman. (See OMB Case No. PL150361.)