The Independent

Developers of new subdivisions in Petrolia will be able to build bigger homes without asking for approval. That after town council passed a bylaw Monday allowing up to 40 per cent of a lot to be covered by a home.

Planning staff told councillors last month homes on residential lots normal cover 35 per cent of a lot. Mayor Brad Loosley added one developer had requested the change to 40 per cent coverage in the past, a move he favoured.

During Monday’s discussion, Councillor Chad Hyatt questioned the timing of the change, saying in four years, several developers have come forward.

“None of those specific subdivision or developments looked at 40 per cent lot coverage. Everyone seemed to be fine with 35 per cent… So I’m not just sure why we’re going to go with the blanket approach,” he said before voting against the change.

He was also concerned larger homes would mean higher prices in areas which were expected to be more affordable.

Councillor Liz Welsh also voted against the change. She’s concerned about increased drainage problems because more of the land
is covered, making it more difficult for the water to move away from homes.

But the majority of the council approved the change with some saying not all developers would build larger homes.

Petrolia’s 2020 Zoning bylaw doesn’t specifically say how much lot a home may cover in an R-1 zone, however most of the other residential designations allowed up to 40 per cent lot coverage prior to council’s decision Monday.