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Township of Muskoka Lakes is Proposing By-law Changes for:
Lots less than 100’ or 15,000 sq ft, lots exceeding lot coverage, dock/boathouse extensions, and accessory buildings
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Planning Staff at the Township of Muskoka Lakes is proposing changes to the zoning by-laws. Contrary to rumours being circulated, the MLA and FOM have confirmed that:
- no changes are being proposed to building setbacks – setbacks stay at 66 feet
- no changes are being proposed for grandfathered buildings within the setback area, or your ability to rebuild or expand these buildings
- no changes are being proposed for undersized lots unless the lot has less than 100 feet of frontage or 15,000 sq ft.
The proposals will require Council approval to:
- Expand dwellings and sleeping cabins on very undersized lots (less than 100’ of shoreline wide and 15,000 square feet)
- Add a second story where lot coverage is already exceeded
- Extend docks or boathouses that already exceed permitted widths, unless the width is brought into compliance
Planning Staff identifies the increasing trend of illegally converting sheds and detached garages into living spaces and proposes:
- A maximum of two accessory buildings (sheds, detached garages), totalling 1000 square feet of floor area
- Single story, other than a detached garage with a second story sleeping cabin
The MLA and FOM have provided further details of the proposed changes, together with our comments, here. You may also read Planning Staff’s report here explaining the changes, and its reasons for proposing them – we have highlighted staff’s key reasons for their proposals in yellow.
The proposals will be discussed at the Planning Committee meeting on Thursday September 16th at 9am by Zoom call. You may provide comments on the proposals by emailing planning@muskokalakes.ca or speaking for up to 5 minutes at the Zoom meeting at this link.
Sincerely,
Friends of Muskoka and Muskoka Lakes Association
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