After dealing with “some of the angriest residents” Bradford West Gwillimbury’s mayor has ever dealt with, the town is expected to consult the public about side yard setbacks for air conditioning units, the town’s committee of the whole decided Tuesday.
Several local residents have had to re-install their air conditioning units after the town’s enforcement officers got involved when some third-party contractors installed the units incorrectly under the town’s zoning bylaws.
“They were some of the angriest residents I’ve ever met with,” said BWG Mayor Rob Keffer. “We really owe it to some of these residents” to come up with a solution.
Coun. Peter Ferragine said it “should be common sense” for all contractors to follow the zoning bylaw rules of whatever municipality in which they are working.
The town’s committee of the whole, which is made up of council members, approved a town staff recommendation to start a public consultation process, which would include a public meeting, to potentially adjust the town’s zoning bylaw about air conditioning installation.
“This discussion has increased in recent years as new residential lots have become narrower to align with Provincial and municipal policy,” read a town report. “Staff suggest that consideration be given to reducing the side yard setback for (air conditioning) units from 1.2 metres to 0.6 metres.”
The decision to move forward with a public consultation process will come back to council for final approval at a later date.
