Concerns about recreational vehicle storage dominated a public meeting about the City of Belleville’s proposed Consolidated Zoning By-law at Tuesday’s meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee.
The Consolidated Zoning By-law will replace the city’s three existing zoning by-laws: one pertaining mainly to Belleville’s urban area, another that includes lands the city annexed from the former Sidney Township following the Township’s amalgamation with Quinte West, and one adopted by the former Township of Thurlow.
The new by-law would consolidate 31 residential zones, 21 commercial zones, and 16 industrial zones into five residential zones, six commercial zones, and five industrial zones.
Throughout the process, the city has engaged with numerous community stakeholders and conducted extensive public engagement through several public meetings.
While the draft by-law encourages additional intensification and alternative housing in suitable areas, adds new protections for the environment and new requirements to encourage active transportation, most people who spoke were concerned about proposed restrictions on storing recreational vehicles such as trailers and boats on personal property.
The proposal does not suggest any seasonal or time limits on parking recreational vehicles but does limit the size to six metres.
Members of the public who spoke against the provision cited problems with storage of trailers and RVs noting there is a lack of proper and secure storage in the city.
Many also said they might not be able to afford year-round storage fees and as a result would have to get rid of their RV, robbing their children and families of the chance to put away the screens and enjoy nature.
Some speakers felt that there is no one size fits all solution and suggested that size of lot and driveway play a role in how big a boat or trailer could be parked there.
For instance, many homes, even in urban Belleville, have driveways 50 feet or longer and could store something much bigger than at a home in a newer subdivision where lots are usually much smaller.
Other speakers stated such a rule means they wouldn’t even be able to park their RV at their home to load it up the night before a camping trip or make repairs.
Councillor Chris Malette stated he was surprised that the topic was the one of most concern at the meeting.
He assured those in attendance that they are listening and there would likely be changes to the draft.
There were also some comments regarding housing, in particular rooming houses and concerns about the conditions tenants, who are often international students at Loyalist College, are living in.
Project consultant, Dillon Consulting, suggested that rather than using zoning by-laws to manage rooming houses, licencing by-laws may work better to address issues like minimum room sizes, health and safety standards.
Hamilton, Ottawa, Toronto, and Windsor have all adopted licencing by-laws to guide rooming houses within their jurisdiction.
No final decision has been made on the proposed Consolidated Zoning By-law.
Staff will take information from the meeting, and work with Dillon Consulting to update the by-law and prepare a final draft and recommendation report for review by the Planning Advisory Committee.
