Par : Anne Stairs.
The tabling of bylaw 596-20 earlier this year addressing zoning issues primarily around Brome Lake sparked questions and some outrage at a meeting in February. Residents had until March 26 to gather enough signatures to force a referendum on the bylaw, or share concerns. Otherwise, the changes were to go ahead.
Objectives of the Bylaw
- Bylaw 596-20 caps building height per the various zones around the lake, increases set-back limits, and reduces the overall footprint of secondary buildings. Prior to this, the maximum height of roof lines was an average of all the roof lines on a building, which meant there could be both low and very tall roofs. This change aims to bring more unity to roof lines and protect existing views against further erosion.
- The bylaw also addresses construction too close to lot limits in an effort to reduce crowding, especially visible on the Bondville side of the lake where homes are built right at the property’s edge. The new three-metre setback will improve privacy and aesthetics and create more green space to help mitigate the damaging effects of run-off.
- Finally, to reduce the proliferation of secondary buildings, the bylaw limits secondary buildings to eight percent of the total footprint. Formerly each secondary building could occupy up to eight percent of the overall lot, but now all secondary buildings combined will have to stay within the eight-percent limit.