Heather Wright/The Independent

Petrolia wants to allow all new subdivisions to have smaller yards.

The town will be talking about an amendment to it’s zoning bylaws June 22 which would allow homes to cover 40 per cent of any given lot instead of the 35 per cent maximum today.

Petrolia has up to seven new developments in the works. With the rising cost of housing, builders are looking for ways to reduce
the costs of new homes; one way is by using smaller lots. But buyers still want similar sized homes and they want covered porches.

Director of Legal Services, Mandi Pearson, says developers were asking for the changes, particularly since covered porches have become popular. The outdoor spaces count in the lot-coverage calculations. Offering covered porches with 35 per cent lot coverage would mean smaller homes.

“We spoke to all of the developers and those who responded indicated that they would welcome the coverage increase, again, covered porches being the primary reason,” said Pearson in an email to The Independent.

The map provided by the town shows the remaining phases of Countryview Estates, including the phase now being built in an existing woodlot, would be included under the changes.

So would the subdivision planned off First Ave and the plans of subdivisions in the southeast quadrant.

Pearson adds infilling projects would still have 35 per cent lot coverage for any new homes.

The public meeting will be June 22 at 5 pm.