Council concerned about basement apartments

BARRIE - The province’s insistence on widespread second-suite approvals could destroy Barrie’s hard work to impose limits, council fears.

In reviewing the amendments required by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) before approving the city’s official plan, councillors balked at rubber-stamping the changes to move the process forward uncontested.

“What’s the strongest and politest bureaucratic language they’ll understand,” asked Ward 1 Coun. Mike Ramsay. He suggested council send a letter to the minister with suggestions of its own to forestall what he called a “reign of error.”

“They recognize the issues,” city planning manager Merwan Kalyaniwalla explained to council of the report received from Queen’s Park. “But as part of the intensification policy…we have to conform.”

The encouragement of basement and other secondary apartments without restraint has led to accommodations that contravene fire and building codes, said one councillor. In some cases they have even led to unwelcome changes in the character of some city neighbourhoods, Ward 2 Coun. Jeff Lehman said in a follow-up interview. Inadequate parking, for example, led to cars being parked on front yards instead of in more appropriate spaces.

The road back to containing such apartments to pre-determined areas of the city “was a long process,” Lehman said.

“I’d hate to see a step backward,” Ramsay told his colleagues, citing “god-awful firetraps” he wants to see the end of.

Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard said change may also impact services such as recreation centres and pollution controls which increase city expenses without a corresponding increase in revenue.

“We’re not collecting any more taxes,” he said. “(So those) costs will be borne by existing taxpayers.”

“We’re going to ask them if there’s any flexibility in the policy,” said Lehman. “It may be able to be interpreted to better reflect the priorities in Barrie.”

The report said changes suggested by Queen’s Park ensure the provincial growth plan is being taken into consideration.

Ultimately, Lehman admits, “we don’t really have a lot of choice – we’re just expressing our concern.”