Port Hope is encouraging residents to take part in a public meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. at town hall to review sweeping zoning bylaw changes that could make it easier for residents to develop new housing options on their properties.
The proposal forms part of the municipality’s housing action strategy and focuses heavily on additional residential units (ARUs) and other creative living solutions such as modular homes, mobile homes and tiny homes.
ARUs are self-contained secondary living spaces located on the same property as a primary residence. These can include basement apartments, units located above main-floor living space, or a separate detached structure such as a backyard suite. The municipality says adopting more flexible ARU permissions could increase local housing supply, support affordability and allow more efficient use of land already in residential use.
The proposed changes under consideration include clearer terminology to define what qualifies as a residential unit, expanded height and size allowances for detached ARUs, greater lot coverage, increased bedroom allowances, reduced parking requirements and adjusted setbacks for taller secondary units. Allowing modular and tiny homes as either primary or secondary dwellings would further broaden available housing types for residents.
Residents can attend the meeting in-person to provide comments directly to staff and council. Public input is also being accepted in advance by email or phone and those unable to attend can watch the meeting via livestream on the Municipality’s YouTube channel.
More background information and documentation on the amendments are also available on the municipal website and the engagement project webpage, as well as in-person at the Development Team office at 5 Mill St. during business hours.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)