Parking requirements may be introduced
Feb 03, 2010 - 02:22 PM
By Jeff Hayward
UXBRIDGE -- Owners of bed and breakfasts in Uxbridge may have to comply with new rules regarding their businesses as the Township examines how other municipalities handle the sites.
While the allowable number of guest rooms at a bed and breakfast could increase from two to three, there could also be a requirement to provide a parking space for each room, as is the case in Oshawa and Whitby, according to a Township planning report.
The Township will also establish "appropriate general zoning provisions" such as types of suitable dwellings for the businesses, which typically fall under residential or rural zoning currently.
It's not clear whether existing bed and breakfast facilities, of which there are at least six in the township, would be grandfathered if new regulations are introduced.
"We need to know how we're going to address existing bed and breakfasts ... relating to fire code and building code," said Richard Vandezande, planning manager for Uxbridge.
Meanwhile, Ingrid Svelnis, chief administrative officer, explained Uxbridge's fire department has completed a fire code review of existing overnight facilities. But no report will be brought forward on that fire review, noted Township officials.
According to student planner Ben White, the Ontario Building Code speaks to number of occupants rather than number of rooms allowed.
"Once a dwelling hosts more than four guests, there is a requirement that the building have fire separations between bedrooms and additional exits may be required," he stated in a report, also noting many other municipalities in the area allow three guest rooms.
Ms. Svelnis said the review was prompted by recent consultations relating to home occupations and home industries.
"A number of people attending the sessions expressed interest in pursuing possible (bed and breakfast) at their place of residence," she stated. "The municipality presently doesn't have a bylaw related to these."
Added Mayor Bob Shepherd, "We get a lot of pressure for a hotel ... in the meantime, there's lots of opportunities for bed and breakfasts. I think adding more rooms is a positive."
Also to be reviewed are "farm vacation" spots in Uxbridge, those being overnight accommodations that allow guests to participate in farm activities.
A public open house will held on the matter around the end of February.
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