HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 25, 2023
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Property Review Committee
April 25, 2023
Electronic Meeting
2:00 pm
Attendees: Santosh Upadhyayula (Member)
Muhammad Naeem (Member)
Gregory Ferandes (Member)
Isaiah Joseph (Member)
Joysina Ali (Member)
Nadeem Irfan, NIA Architects Inc. (Applicant)
Hitesh Jhaveri (Applicant)
Theresa Nuspl
Steven Kirsten (Opponent)
Matthew Holloway, Municipal Law Enforcement Officer l
Jennifer Hayden, (Acting) Supervisor, Supervisor, Licensing & Enforcement
Jason Litoborski, (Acting) Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement Services (Staff
Liaison)
Andy MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: Councillor Butt (Member)
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome & Introductions
J. Litoborski welcomed everyone to the meeting and
provided an overview of the order of proceedings.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Fence Variance Applications
3.1 137 Twyn Rivers Drive
Officer M. Holloway explained that the fences
erected on the rear and west side of the property
were 0.2 metres above the permitted height under
By-law 6943/09. He further explained that the fence
erected on the front yard of the property is of both
open and closed construction and is above the
Exemption granted to permit
the fence as constructed.
J. Litoborski to issue Fence
Height Exemption Permit
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
permitted heights defined in the By-law, measuring
7.1 ft.
The Committee raised questions regarding the front
yard fence’s open and closed construction. J.
Litoborski explained that the fence is of mixed
construction, which the By-law does not address.
N. Irfan, NIA Architects Inc. spoke on behalf of the
owner of 137 Twyn Rivers Drive and explained that
the fence height contraventions were not intentional.
He spoke about the grading of the property and the
lot grading plan approved by the City and how that
has impacted the construction of the fence. He
stated that in his opinion the height contravention
was negligible and that modifying the fence to
reduce the height at this point would be a nuisance
and a lot of work for the homeowner. He closed his
statement requesting the Committee consider an
exemption in this case.
The Committee and N. Irfan engaged in discussion
regarding the impact of the property grading on the
fence height and clarification around how the front
fence is measured.
S. Kirsten, speaking on behalf of Gabriele Kirsten,
explained she opposes the Fence Variance
Application, stating the property has been raised 10
to 12 inches in height and that the construction of
the fence has been inconsistent and slapped
together with poor condition boards from her old
fence. He explained that the owner of 137 Twyn
Rivers was going to only replace some of the panels
of an existing fence that was damaged, however the
fence ended up being torn down and reconstructed.
He explained that the reconstructed fence looks bad
their side.
The Committee clarified with S. Kirsten that the
fence described was the fence on the west side.
J. Litoborski provided clarity regarding how fences
are measured from the higher property level.
T. Nuspl provided her comments regarding the
backyard fence abutting her property, stating that
she has no objection to the height of the fence and
that it provides more privacy to both her and the
owner of 137 Twyn Rivers Drive. She also raised
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
concerns regarding the front yard fence abutting the
municipal sidewalk.
The Committee asked S. Kirsten to clarify the
impacts of the fence on their property. S. Kirsten
explained that it makes the property feel like a
prison and more enclosed, and that there are
flooding issues for their property because of the
grading. S. Kirsten further spoke to the quality of the
fence on their side looking patched up with reused
and stained boards that are inconsistent.
The Committee took a brief pause to allow the
livestream of the Meeting to be severed.
Note: This portion of the meeting was closed to the
public. Refer to the In Camera meeting minutes for
further information. [City Clerk has custody and
control of the In Camera minutes.]
The Committee took a brief pause to allow the
livestream of the Meeting to be resumed.
J. Litoborski stated that the Committee had
deliberated and had made a decision. He stated
that Committee has reached a unanimous decision
to grant an exemption to permit the fence as
constructed.
4. Adjournment
Moved by G. Fernandes
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 2:50 pm
For more information regarding the Property Review Committee, please contact:
City of Pickering By-law Enforcement Services
905-420-4660
bylaw@pickering.ca