A medical condition is not a usual reason for minor variance.
Urias Weber, acting as agent for his son, Edward, wrote to Wellington North council to explain the request is on behalf of Edward’s daughter, Marlene, 4, who is scheduled for a kidney transplant.
Before that happens, she needs to undergo dialysis.
While that can be done at home every night with a machine supplied by the hospital, it necessitates her having her own bedroom.
“Simply put, the house is not big enough to accommodate everyone,” Weber wrote.
The urgency of the situation does not allow time to build, either. He said a trailer can be accommodated at a low cost, and the proponent believes it would be a practical alternative – which would be used exclusively as sleeping quarters for the school boys and the hired man. The plan is that the trailer would be needed only for five years.
The application would allow a minor variance permitting a bedroom addition in the form of a trailer, which would be attached to the house via a breezeway. The addition will be required to meet all the requirements of the building code. The property is at 9090 Concession 11.
County planner Linda Redmond said the addition for the bedroom will not be a permanent structure. She said under the bylaw a mobile home is allowed as living or sleeping accommodation, but only on a temporary basis.
Generally, mobile homes are allowed only when another building is being constructed.
“In this case, they are not constructing anything; they just need some emergency room for their children because of medical reason.” She added, “It would not be self-contained, and will form part of the residence.” She added the Weber’s letter outlines the urgency of the situation.
Councillor Ross Chaulk empathized with Weber, as his mother-in-law is on dialysis.
“Let’s give it to him, quick,” Chaulk said.
Mayor Mike Broomhead asked if there is a renewal period and Redmond replied the applicants would like it for five years. She said the variance could be approved without a time limit, but if that limitation remains, Weber would have to come back to renew the variance when it expires.
Broomhead said the time limit is similar to that used for granny suites, and if the situation is warranted, the time could be extended. He also explained that even though there is urgency, there is still a 20-day waiting period for a permit.
Broomhead said the 20 day period applies to all minor variances, which cannot be bypassed. But Redmond said the majority of preliminary work could be done ahead of time.
Chaulk asked if the trailer could be put in place even if it is not hooked up. Redmond said the applicant would have to talk to the building inspector about whether that constitutes construction.
Weber said his understanding is the trailer itself does not need a building permit.
“I understand that this is an urgent matter you want to deal with, but we still have to follow procedure and the letter of the law,” said Broomhead.
Council then authorized the minor variance.
