​Kincardine okays minor variance so portables can remain at KDSS

Kincardine council has approved a minor variance, allowing three portables to remain at Kincardine District Senior School (KDSS) so students will have classrooms when they return to school in three weeks.

The matter came to council in committee-of-adjustment Wednesday night (Aug. 14), where Bruce County planner Julie Steeper presented the application from the Bluewater District School Board.

The school board was seeking relief from the parking requirements for three portables, which have already been installed, on the west side of River Lane, beside the school.

Steeper said the minor variance would reduce the parking requirement to 4.86 spaces per classroom from the eight per classroom in the zoning bylaw.

She said there are currently 19 classrooms at KDSS and 107 parking spaces. The existing parking is accessed from River Lane, South Street and Charles Street.

There is no additional parking spaces proposed with the three new portables, she said, despite the requirement for 24 more parking spaces. Hence, the minor variance to reduce the requirement to 4.86 spaces per classroom.

Steeper said the school board is actively pursuing construction of a new high school in Kincardine to meet the needs of the growing enrollment levels. “The new portables are intended to be a temporary accommodation until the new school is provided, and may not be required long-term.”

She said staff is satisfied there will be adequate parking for the proposed use, and that the variance requested is minor in nature.



This map indicates the three new portables (circled), west of River Lane, beside Kincardine District Senior School

Councillor Bill Stewart noted that the three portables have already been installed, without a permit. Plus, the existing parking for the 19 classrooms does not meet the requirements in the Kincardine zoning bylaw, he said.

“What they need there are about 160 parking spaces,” he said. “So, the school board is in violation already. They’re supposed to have eight spaces per classroom.”

Steeper said the number of parking spaces already provided could be from a pre-existing agreement with the municipality. Now, the school board is applying to reduce the number required to 4.86 per classroom, including the portables.

“When KDSS was built, there would have been an approval process for the number of parking spaces, even though it’s less than is required in our zoning bylaw,” said mayor Kenneth Craig. “Now, we need to move forward with this application for a reduction in the number of parking spaces.”

Stewart said the municipality should include as a condition of the minor variance, that the school board pays $3,600 per space for the 24 parking spaces it cannot provide for the three new portables. “We shouldn’t let the school board dictate what we need.”

Marie Shelley of SRM Architects, speaking on behalf of the school board, said the existing ratio of parking spaces per classroom, has been acceptable up to this point in time. She noted that the portables are temporary structures, as the school board is building a new facility.

“The school board needs this parking relief to bridge the gap,” she said. “The existing school is in an urban location, with a lot of students walking to school, taking the bus or being dropped off.”

Stewart argued that the application does not meet the four tests of a minor variance; it meets only three. In fact, he said, the school board is already planning to install three more portables, as outlined in the map included with the application.

Councillor Beth Blackwell said that with 107 existing parking spaces, and no more proposed, it seems like a significant change in isolation. However, it’s not an issue because most of the students walk or take the bus.

“Point of order,” said Stewart. “Is that a proven fact, that most of the students walk or take the bus?”

“I’m going to allow it,” said Craig, “because we all have a sense of that, even though there’s been no study.”

As council grappled with imposing a fine on the school board for circumventing the process and installing the portables, as well as drawing up an agreement for payment in lieu of parking spots, Steeper suggested tabling the minor variance application until she could work out something and bring it back to council.

“We can’t leave this until later,” said Craig. “We want the students in these classrooms in three weeks’ time.”

Councillor Rory Cavanagh agreed. “I don’t feel as if we have a lot of choice here.”

In a recorded vote, council approved the minor variance, 5-2, with deputy mayor Andrea Clarke, Craig, and councillors Mike Hinchberger, Cavanagh and Blackwell in favour, and councillors Jennifer Prenger and Stewart against. Absent, were councillors Doug Kennedy and Amanda Steinhoff-Gray.