FAQs
- The buildings are proposed to be 13 feet apart, allowing for a family backyard between them. This meets the minimum separation distance in the Laneway and Carriage House Development Permit Area guidelines for accessible buildings is 13ft.
- The main house at 515 St George is 2,309 sqft or 0.515 FSR, excluding the basement
- The property is zoned RS-6, which allows a maximum density (FSR) of 0.60. Basements are excluded from the density in all RS-6 properties.
- This means the owners are currently allowed to increase the size of the house by 0.85FSR or 410 sqft (38 sq.m.) main house were to be replaced, it could be rebuilt larger than the current house.
- 515 St George is a protected property in the HCA. This means that permits are required for demolition, or alterations to the front and visible sides.
- Designating the property increases the protection: meaning no further work or density is allowed. This also includes stronger design control for changes to the building and requires restoration work as part of the project.
- The main house has been very well maintained and requires little restoration work: the work was completed over time, rather than all-at once as part of this project.
- The small amount of extra floor area is considered balanced with the small amount of restoration work proposed and the increased protection.
- 4 trees are planned for removal, including 2 overgrown laurel hedges, 1 ginko and 1 cedar.
- The City’s Tree Protection Bylaw expects that trees be replanted on the property at a 2:1 ratio (2 new trees for each removed tree). If replacement trees do not fit on site, some may be “cash-in-lieu”, with the money used to replant trees in public spaces throughout the city
How far apart will the main house and laneway house be?
How big is the main house? Why isn’t the basement counted?
Isn’t this house already protected in the Heritage Conservation Area?
Why isn’t there very much heritage restoration work proposed?
How many trees will be removed? And how many will be planted on the property?