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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 17, 1997 STATUTORY PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING MINUTES A Statutory Public Information Meeting was held on Thursday, April 17, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PRESENT: B. Taylor - Town Clerk L. Taylor - Manager, Current Operations Division V. Rodrigues - Senior Planner The Manager, Current Operations Division,provided an overview of the requirements of the Planning Act and the Ontario Municipal Board respecting this meeting and matters under consideration thereat. (I) ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATION A 6/97 A.C. SIMMONDS & SONS LIMITED PART OF LOT 19, RANGE 3, BFC (SOUTH SIDE OF DILLINGHAM ROAD, WEST OF BROCK ROAD) 1. Lynda Taylor, Manager, Current Operations Division, provided an explanation of the application, as outlined in Information Report#9/97. 2. A representative of Alliance Collision stated that he is concerned about traffic flows in the area particularly if there will be afternoon bingo games because it is very difficult now to turn left onto Brock Road from Dillingham Road. He asked if traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Brock Road and Dillingham Road. 3. Sylvia Spencer, 771 Sheppard Avenue, stated that the proponent of the proposed bingo hall could contribute financially to the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Brock Road and Dillingham Road. She also asked if this application to permit a bingo hall as a temporary use could be expanded in the future to support an application for a casino. (II) ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATION A 4/97 TOWN INITIATED HOME-BASED BUSINESSES 1. Valerie Rodrigues, Senior Planner,provided an explanation of the application, as outlined in Information Report#8/97. - - 2 - - 2. Bob Martindale, representing the Durham Home and Small Business Association and the Durham Region Economic Development Advisory Committee, submitted a brief supporting the progress made to date towards the enactment of a by-law to permit home- based businesses in Pickering. He supports the philosophy of allowing any type of business to be operated out of a dwelling unit except those specifically excluded. With respect to signage, he would support more flexibility by allowing any sign that is compatible or in character with the neighbourhood in which the home-based business is situated. The parking provisions should be clarified as to whither it refers to employee parking or customer parking as well. He stated that there should be no restriction on the number of businesses that are being operated from a dwelling unit because the floor space and parking requirements will effectively limit the number of businesses and employees operating from a dwelling unit. With respect to the issue of licencing, he noted that most newly established home-based businesses do not require major alterations to the home that necessitate a building permit and therefore any system of licencing would have to be purely voluntary. 3. Brian Spencer, representing the Durham Homepreneur Group, stated that his organization is an incorporated non-profit group that represents over 120 home-based businesses in Durham. He noted that he has addressed the Board of Trade to seek their support of the proposed by-law. There should be a by-law to recognize and permit home entrepreneurs but this by-law should not be a vehicle to seek additional taxation or licencing revenue. The original plans for the townhouses at Walnut Lane and Kingston Road had offices in the units but these were removed because home businesses are not permitted in Pickering. Many builders are providing for house designs that allow for home businesses. Home businesses have been in existence for generations regardless of the law and will continue to remain in existence. Since most home businesses do not require structural changes to the dwelling unit,there would be no change to the assessment of the unit. Home-based businesses are often incubators of larger businesses and therefore taxes or licencing of these businesses should not force home entrepreneurs back underground. When considering the licencing of a home-based business, the following must be taken into consideration: at what point does a hobby become a business, and some home-based businesses only operate part of the year. Many home entrepreneurs don't have the financing to rent commercial or industrial space and he noted that the Board of Trade offers a special rate for home entrepreneurs because they don't have the financing. Home entrepreneurs will move to Pickering if they know the atmosphere is positive for it. He noted that the Police have observed that where there are large concentrations of home- based businesses, there have been less break-ins and there is a greater sense of community. 4. John Bashaw, 1474 Highbush Trail, stated that the proposal submitted by the Durham Homepreneur Group for home-based businesses is better than what is being proposed by the Town. If home-based businesses continue to be invisible, it won't matter what regulations the Town tries to impose on these businesses. It should be recognized that garages will be used as part of a home-based business and although there must be regulations to prohibit obnoxious businesses from a residential neighbourhood; those businesses that do not affect the neighbours should be allowed. - - 3 - - 5. Sylvia Spencer, 771 Sheppard Avenue, stated that there should be a survey to determine the percentage of houses that currently have a home-based business to determine their effect or if they are concentrated in certain areas. In Policy Area B, how does density transferring affect residents in this area? She asked various questions pertaining to the keeping of records by a home-based business and stated that the size of a home-based business should be based on actual square footage instead of a percentage of the dwelling unit. She asked if there will be regulations pertaining to toxic materials and if fire regulations will be enforced. Home-based businesses should be located on the ground floor of the dwelling unit and no retail sales should be allowed. She felt that home-based businesses to dot affect the amount of break-ins in a neighbourhood and asked how they would be licenced and enforced. 6. Al Doherty, 1248 Maple Ridge Drive, stated that he operates a computer servicing business from his house and conducts much of his business through the internet. He sometimes does retail sales but material never goes through his house and based on this, he stated that methods of retail sales should be specified. He uses his basement as part of his business and stated that the word "contractor" should be defined because he and many other home entrepreneurs contract out work. More than one home-based business should be allowed in a dwelling unit in order to accommodate young and old people. 7. Horst Appelmann, 889 Douglas Avenue, stated that he is opposed to home-based businesses because houses should be used as a peaceful refuge and they will affect other homeowners in a negative way. He stated that there should be a referendum on this issue at the upcoming municipal election. 8. Patricia Steinwedel, 865 Douglas Avenue, stated that she is opposed to home-based businesses. The Town must be careful about what types of businesses are allowed and noted that there are some obnoxious businesses operating in her neighbourhood. There is a problem of break-ins in her neighbourhood and felt that some types of businesses bring in unsavoury types of people. Home-based businesses must be licenced and there must be strict standards of enforcement. 9. Brian Spencer, representing the Durham Homepreneur Group, stated that insurance for home-based businesses is available only in municipalities where such businesses are allowed. He noted that a major investment for any person is their house and therefore home entrepreneurs, like other homeowners, will keep their house well maintained. 10. Paul Morgan, Glendale Drive, stated that governments, through laws and regulations, do not seem to want people to live and work in the same place. He has an incubator business and in a few years he will likely move out of the house into a commercial area but at present he cannot afford to live in one place and operate a business in another. The provision of 25% of finished floor space for a home-based business is not sufficient. 11. John Hickman, 5267 Brock Road North, stated that the proposed by-law seems directed towards businesses in the urban area, however, in the rural area, it is common for people to work out of their house. The by-law do not address outbuildings that are used for storage or for operating small equipment. • - - 4 - - 12. Paul Crawford, 867 Antonio Street, stated that people are concerned about the negative effects of a home-based business on the neighbourhood. It is important that by-laws such as parking and zoning be enforced and stated that parking in the front yard should be prohibited. 13. Greg Halsall, 1113 Cedarcroft Crescent, stated that he was laid off and he has looked at starting a business from his house because he could not afford to set up a business at this time in commercial space. 14. Roy Robinson, 915 Liverpool Road, stated that most home-based businesses are invisible but they are prevalent. The issue of getting insurance for home-based businesses is important because he works for Bell Canada and noted that many of their employees work at home. He supports the proposed by-law. 15. Al Doherty, 1248 Maple Ridge Drive, noted that there are publications that are meant to be delivered to businesses but the Post Office will only deliver to legal businesses. (111) ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Dated A PRl 2 3' X972 Clerk �� • •