Bigger. Higher. Better? New rules for extra Woodstock homes divide politicians

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Looking to shoehorn more housing onto its turf, Woodstock politicians are raising the maximum height and size allowed for homeowners building extra residential units on their property.

In a 4-3 vote, city council approved changes that increase additional units on suburban lots to six-metres high from four, and allow an added structure to occupy up to 60 per cent of the main home’s size, up from 40 per cent.

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“(I’m) really super excited that we were able to get that passed for the potential of more housing quicker here in the city of Woodstock,” said Mayor Jerry Acchione.

So-called additional residential units (ARUs) have been described as a self-contained dwellings on the same lot of an existing home. That means it has its own kitchen and bathroom and separate entrance. One example is apartments built above a home’s detached garage.

City staff say the changes will aid the city’s push for more homes, including those that are “a more affordable housing type.”

Acchione said they’re generally less expensive housing because they’re smaller than some traditional apartments. “It’s definitely going to help on the affordability scale.”

The rules include:

• A maximum of two ARUs per property, though there can only be one structure
• It must be in a rear or interior side yard and at least 1.2 metres from lot lines.
• No matter the main home’s size, the additional structure is capped at 100 square metres

City council members Deb Tait, Mark Schadenberg and Connie Lauder voted against the new rules. All others were in favour.

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Tait argued the height allowed is too much. “It can be quite invasive on the neighbour’s property.”

Like virtually every Ontario city, Woodstock is doing what it can to add more housing. In October, the mayor pledged to the provincial government that the city would construct 5,500 new homes by 2031 as part of the More Homes Built Faster Act.

If Woodstock meets that target, it’ll get access to a piece of a $1.2-billion fund. Acchione noted these kinds of structures are “able to go in more homes at a very much quicker pace than, say, apartment buildings can be built.”

bwilliams@postmedia.com
@BrianWatLFPress

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