Coldstream grapples with carriage house rules

Jan 18, 2021 | 6:30 AM

The approval of a carriage house on a property at 7506 Cunliffe Road in Coldstream has brought the issue back into focus for Coldstream council.

The application was unanimously approved with spot zoning.

Property owners Kim and Robert Nash would be replacing an existing garage on a nearly 1,700 square metres lot (more than double an average Coldstream residential lot), to accomodate their family of five. A secondary suite added onto the home would have ruined the heritage character of the property. Setbacks and parking were not issues.

While the Nash project was approved, it spawned a lengthy debate over the regulation of carriage houses, a topic many Coldstream homeowners are watching with interest.

“This application is a one-off, however given the phone calls we have received, there will be more interest going forward,” Ryan Roycroft, director of development, said.

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Some members of council expressed concerns about a flood of applications based on the Nash approval.

“As soon as we open that door, we are opening up a big door and it puts all kinds of pressure on infrastructure and other things,” Coun. Doug Dirk said.

Roycroft said there are roughly 700 properties of 1,200 square metres and 1,200 properties of 1,000 square metres that might be suitable for carriage houses, minus 10 to 20 per cent for other considerations like slope.

“I’m convinced that the majority of people in Coldstream aren’t really ready for carriage houses,” Coun. Pat Cochrane said.

A motion by Dirk to hold all future carriage house applications in abeyance was defeated.

“I don’t think we should fetter ourselves in terms of what people bring to us or what we look at going forward,” Coun. Richard Enns said.

Staff noted applications for those type of property changes have a $1,500 non-refundable fee.

“A lot survey is required and proper drawings. I would say the cost is $3,000 to $4,000, before you are even out of the gate,” Kim Nash said.

A motion to have staff bring forward a regulatory framework for council’s next committee of the whole meeting on February 1, passed unanimously.

by Kevin Rothwell

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