A Guelph-Eramosa couple will have to keep coming back for three-year extensions for their “garden suite,” despite everyone involved agreeing it is a waste of time and money.
“No one benefits from it,” Mayor Chris White admitted on Jan. 13 as council considered another extension request from residents Nancy and Frank McColeman.
The couple is seeking another three-year extension for their garden suite (a secondary, temporary residential dwelling) on a property on Sideroad 14 in former Pilkington Township.
Councillor Corey Woods was the first to question the need for the extension process every three years, which includes a public meeting and paperwork that can cost the applicants “thousands of dollars” each time.
“It’s just a big waste of time,” Woods said.
He asked why the township has to hold a public meeting for something so minor.
White replied the process is legislated by the province through the Planning Act.
Woods noted the McColemans may be retired but they are very young and will likely be living in the garden suite for some time.
The rest of council, including White, agreed with Woods, but the mayor explained there must have been an issue with the garden suites at some point in time that prompted the government to implement the rules governing extensions.
“It doesn’t make sense,” White reiterated, but he added the township has no choice but to conform to the province’s rules.
Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring the application complete and scheduling a public meeting on the garden suite application for Feb. 18.
