Beaconsfield paving way for homeowner to keep extension
Beaconsfield is planning a bylaw change to avoid forcing a homeowner to tear down a long- standing extension on his lakefront property that doesn’t conform to existing regulations.
Last week, council unanimously approved a second draft of a bylaw that would authorize an extension at a home on Beaconsfield Blvd. in order for it to be in compliance with construction bylaws.
The focus is an apartment unit above a detached garage on the 50,000- square- foot property that backs onto Lake St- Louis. This addition had been built without a permit many years ago, with the main single- family home dating back to 1948.
“It is just like a zoning except that it is only for this property,” said Denis Chabot, Beaconsfield’s urban planner, adding the manoeuvre is permitted under a bylaw dealing with specific construction, alteration or occupancy proposals for an immovable.
“In this particular case we are legalizing a dwelling over a detached garage that was built more than 40 years ago but without a permit,” he said, adding it avoids forcing a demolition.
“It is, in fact, a recognition of a usage. Since we can’t give a minor exemption on a usage, this was the best way to solve this case.”
The current owners purchased the home on Beaconsfield Blvd. this past May. According to the municipal valuation roll, the property is valued at just under $ 3 million.
A notary involved with the realestate transaction was doing due diligence and pointed out the unorthodox extension. The city was then approached with a minor exemption request, but it was determined, based on technicalities, that a bylaw would be required, said Mayor Georges Bourelle, adding the city is prepared to meet this demand.
“Technically, it’s not within the regulations, but it’s been around for about 40 years,” the mayor said, adding some renovation work to solidify the apartment atop the garage was carried out by a previous owner.
Council is not prepared to call for a demolition, Bourelle said, adding the structure isn’t visible from the street and that it hasn’t raised any complaints from neighbours.
“It’s not common sense or good judgment to, after all these years, ( demolish it),” he said.
“They bought this place in good faith. It’s not about getting around bylaws. We just want to make sure everything is according to the regulations.
“It’s the usage that requires special zoning,” he said of the apartment unit above the garage.
Bourelle noted his administra- tion isn’t prepared to automatically take legal action against homeowners faced with potentially non- conforming structures on their property, adding the city will deal with these situations on a case- by- case basis.
In January, council opted to reverse the course of action initiated by a city building inspector regarding a storage shed built along the Lake St- Louis shoreline.