Leisure Vehicle Parking
Study
Prepared By:
Michael Smith Planning Consultants; Development Coordinators Ltd.
In Conjunction With The Town of Georgina
LEISURE VEHICLE DEFINITION:
For purposes of the Leisure Vehicle in Front Yard Driveways Study a Leisure Vehicle means:
1) a vehicle designed to be towed or propelled by a motor vehicle or which is self‐propelled, and includes such vehicles commonly known as travel trailers, camper trailers, truck campers, motor homes, or other similar travel vehicles which provide sleeping and other facilities for persons while traveling or vacationing; and/or,
2) boats, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, all‐terrain vehicles and other similar vehicles used for recreational pursuits; and/or, 3) a trailer designed or used for the purpose of carrying a leisure vehicle.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
1. Zoning By‐law No. 500, and its predecessor Zoning By‐law No. 911, have, since May, 1977, regulated the location, number, size, and setbacks to property lines of Leisure Vehicles in zones permitting residential dwellings.
2. These zones include Low Density Urban Residential (R1) Zone, Low Density Urban Residential (R2) Zone, Residential (R) Zone, Transitional (T) and Rural (RU).
3. Since 1977, while Leisure Vehicles have been permitted in an interior or rear yard, have not been permitted in a Front Yard or Exterior Side Yard.
they 4. In August 2015, Georgina’s Council received a petition in favour of permitting Leisure Vehicles to be stored in front yards and exterior side yards. Council directed staff to report back to Council on the matter. BACKGROUND INFORMATION (con’t)
5.
In October 2015. Town Planning Division staff presented Report PB‐2015‐0075 which undertook a comparison of 15 municipalities as background on the matter. The report recommended that:
• Staff consider an amendment to the existing zoning regulations respecting the front yard driveway storage/parking of Leisure Vehicles to allow greater permission or flexibility; and,
• Staff prepare a report that provides an analysis of possible zoning strategies.
6.
In August 2015, a joint report of the Town Planning Division and Michael Smith Planning Consultants, Report DS – 2016‐0061 was presented to Council. That report examined a further 10 comparator municipalities and explored a range of options. BACKGROUND INFORMATION (con’t)
7.
Report DS – 2016‐0061 recommended two options:
Option 1 is for larger properties of 4 000 m2 (1 acre) and greater, and
Option 2 is for smaller properties of less than 4 000 m2 (1 acre). Option 2 was further divided into two sub‐options.
8.
Some basic parameters used in the recommended Options:
a)
Required parking must be maintained, except in cases where seasonal Leisure Vehicle storage is permitted. The zoning by‐law requires that a single family dwelling must have three required parking spaces two of which may be in a front yard driveway.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION (con’t) b)
Any Leisure Vehicle Storage must be on the hard surface of a driveway and not on the landscaped portion of the front or exterior side yard. The Town will not consider the parking of Leisure Vehicles on the landscaped front yards for reasons of urban design (street view aesthetics) and property standards (ruts in lawns caused by storage)
c)
There are limitations on driveway widths, and restrictions on the use of extended driveways which branch off the main driveway. For example, in a R1 or R2 zone the maximum width of a driveway is 55% of the lot frontage. Further, a branch off the main driveway cannot occur until beyond the minimum front yard requirement in the respective residential zone.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION (con’t) d)
No parking on lots less than 270 m2 (2,906 ft2).
We believe it is not possible to store a Leisure Vehicle in a driveway on these smaller lots without obstructing a required parking space.
e)
No parking on lots containing semis or multi‐unit housing such tri‐plexes, four‐plexes and townhouses. Again, the lots for these residential units will generally be too small to accommodate a Leisure Vehicle in a required yard without obstructing a required parking space.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION (con’t)
f)
No parking on municipal road boulevards. For reasons of maintaining sight lines, providing for snow storage, and general safety, there is to be no storage of Leisure Vehicles on municipal road boulevards.
Part 1: 4000m2 (Approx. 1 Acre) and Greater
• Permit six Leisure Vehicles on residential lot, two of which may be in front yard driveway but setback at least 8 metres from the front lot line. Further, such Leisure Vehicle storage shall ensure that 3 required parking spaces are unobstructed. Height limit 4.5 metres.
• For Leisure Vehicle storage, if not within height or length restrictions, permission shall be on a temporary permit basis • Where two Leisure Vehicles are stored on a single trailer, the two Leisure Vehicles and trailer are collectively considered one Leisure Vehicle.
• Limit length of boat, recreational vehicle, travel trailer or similar vehicle, including commercial trailer, to 12 metres.
• Minimum setback of 1.5 metres to side lot line.
• Would not be permitted within municipal road allowance.
Part 2: Less than 4000m2
• Permit 3 Leisure Vehicles on residential lot, one of which may be in front yard driveway, but setback at least 6 metres from the front lot line. Further, such Leisure Vehicle storage shall ensure that 3 required parking spaces are unobstructed. Height maximum 3 metres.
• For Leisure Vehicle storage, if not within height or length restrictions, permission shall be on temporary permit basis. • Limit length of boat, recreational vehicle, travel trailer or similar vehicle including commercial trailer to 9 metres.
• Minimum setback to side lot line of 1.5 metres.
• Would not be permitted within municipal road allowance.
Part 2(a): 450 m2 to less than 4 000 m2
• For Leisure Vehicle storage closer than 6 metres to the front lot line, permission shall be on a seasonal basis (i.e. April 1 to October 31) and shall have a height limit of 2.5 metres, including trailer. • Further, such seasonal Leisure Vehicle storage shall ensure that 2 required parking spaces are unobstructed.
Part 2(b): 270 m2 to less than 450 m2
• Permit a maximum of 2 Leisure Vehicles, one of which may be permitted in a front yard driveway. • For Leisure Vehicle storage closer than 6 metres to the front lot line, permission shall be on a seasonal basis (i.e. April 1 to October 31) and shall have a height limit of 2.5 metres, including trailer. • Further, such seasonal Leisure Vehicle storage shall ensure that 2 required parking spaces are unobstructed.
• Maximum length of Leisure Vehicle, including trailer, and commercial trailer, 7 metres.
Georgina Leisure Vehicle Study ‐ Next Steps
1.
Report to Council (tentative December 2016)
• Town staff/consultant assess comments obtained at public information meeting, along with any other new submissions, information, etc;
• Town staff/consultant present report to Council advising of all comments, received and recommending a preferred Approach/Option; and, • Council decides whether to accept, reject, or revise the recommendations of Town staff/Consultant.
Next Steps (con’t) 2. Public Meeting (tentative January/February, 2017)
Subject to Council’s direction, Town staff/Consultant will prepare a draft amendment to the Zoning By‐law (ZBA) and a public meeting pursuant to the planning act will be held to allow the public to comment directly to council on the draft ZBA.
3. Public meeting #2 (tentative February/March, 2017)
Town staff/Consultant will prepare a report addressing any outstanding issues and present a revised ZBA for council’s consideration of adoption.
Next Steps (con’t) 4. Adoption of Zoning By‐law Amendment (tentative March/April, 2017
• If no further analysis of public meeting is required, Council will make its decision on the ZBA; and,
• Should Council pass a ZBA, the notice passing the amendment will be given pursuant to the Planning Act.