Despite a staff recommendation to oppose the application, city council voted 7-1 Monday, July 22 to grant a variance that reduces to zero the setback for an addition to a carport currently under construction.
Had council agreed with staff, the owners of a lot at the corner of McDermid and McLean Drives would have had to scrap their plan to extend the structure out to the property line along McLean in favour of bringing it into compliance with the city's requirement that there be a three-metre setback.
In a report, staff listed several reasons in support of their position. Among them were concerns that although the gutter would not exceed the property line, drainage from the structure could extend into the boulevard. As well, maintenance of infrastructure along the adjoining city boulevard could "impact structures that are on the property line."
However, the applicants' submission included a petition in support from 11 neighbouring property owners, which was enough to convince most council members to support their request. That the city's boulevard is about five metres wide also played a role in council's decision.
Councillors Trudy Klassen, Tim Bennett, Garth Frizzell, Susan Scott, Ron Polillo and Kyle Sampson in allowing the variance. In apparent concern over whether it would affect the city's ability to store snow along the boulevard, Coun. Cori Ramsay was the sole council member to vote against.
Mayor Simon Yu and Coun. Brian Skakun were absent from the meeting.
Once completed the addition will measure 46.8 square metres, big enough to protect a trailer and a hot tub from the snow.
