Bradford has been working on increasing the number of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) permitted in town, both in response to provincial policy and as another way to increase density and create more homes — and that has some residents fired up.
During the Feb. 20 meeting, council directed staff to begin public consultation on a new draft of the zoning bylaw to increase the number of ADUs allowed on residential lots with municipal services to two from one, as well as allowing ADUs in accessory buildings like garden suites.
That came in response to provincial Bill 23, which passed on Nov. 28, 2022, and made changes to the Planning Act to permit two ADUs in addition to the primary unit in single- and semi-detached houses and townhouses, allowing up to three dwelling units on residential lots with full municipal services.
Then, based on a report from chief administrative officer Geoff McKnight, at their April 2 meeting council voted to further increase the number of permitted ADUs to three in addition to the main unit for a total of four units within a single structure (fourplex), or two accessory units in a main structure and one in an accessory building.
According to the report, the additional increase came in response to advice from the federal government that the town would have a better shot at qualifying for the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) by including “up-zoning” and legalizing “missing middle” housing, which they define as fourplexes or more.
Following a public open house on May 14, council held a public meeting on May 28 regarding the proposed requirements, including that ADUs in the main structure have a maximum floor area of 49 per cent, that only one parking space be required for each ADU (in addition to the two spaces required for the main dwelling) and that no ADUs be permitted on properties serviced by septic systems or in places considered hazardous by any local conservation authorities.
Those ADUs in accessory buildings are set to require an unobstructed 1.2-metre path to allow access for emergency services to the rear of the house or to a detached residential structure in the rear yard.
When it comes to the size of accessory buildings being used as ADUs, staff recommended “common” setbacks to provide for drainage and safety purposes, as well as being no more than 5.4 m tall.
About two dozen people were in the audience for the meeting and of the 14 who spoke, most were either opposed to the proposed changes and/or requested that they be put on hold to allow for more public consultation.
Many concerns were around negative impacts to property values, parking and congestion, but also regarding safety, drainage and impacts on infrastructure like sewers.
Some of those who spoke supported the ADUs as a way to create more affordable housing or private suites for aging family members.
Councillors did agree to hold a second public meeting, which took place on Sept. 10.
Many of the residents who attended and the opinions shared were the same or similar to those from the first public meeting on May 28, but others had some new suggestions, such as a policy requiring landlords to live in one of their units.
Staff also took the opportunity to provide more information to residents, noting they have no concerns over the ability of the town’s infrastructure to handle ADUs as a result of the proposed bylaw.
Masoudi explained emergency services would be able to attend calls at ADUs located in backyards thanks to the required setbacks, and all ADUs would be required to meet and pass inspections for the building and fire codes plus property standards.
Wiebe further explained Bill 23 prevents the town from implementing minimum size requirements for ADUs, but those units are still required to include sleeping, cooking and washroom facilities.
Several councillors remained skeptical, but council isn’t expected to make a decision until a later date, following a recommendation and report from staff summarizing the public feedback.
Until then, anyone can submit comments in writing via email to [email protected].
For more information, visit townofbwg.com/ADUzoning.
