Letter from T. & S. Carter regarding Development Variance Permit No. 2020/01
Letter from the property owners explaining the request for a setback variance to accommodate a hobby woodworking shop on an existing foundation.
Troy and Sue-Anne Carter 8 Eaton Avenue Victoria, BC V8Z 5E1
April 13, 2020
Town of View Royal Mayor and Council 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria, BC V9A 1A6
Mayor and Council,
We are writing to request approval to begin the process of building an enclosed storage building, by requesting a variance to the building setback. It is the intention to eventually convert the storage building into a woodworking shop where Troy can carry out his hobby of building wood furniture.
The site, where the accessory building will be located, is in the southeast corner of our backyard. The structure will sit on a 6” wide existing foundation, which is on an existing 10” wide footing. The foundation was installed 15 years ago, in anticipation of a future structure, with the footing being pre-existing from a previous wall and building structure from over 20 years ago (prior to our purchase). If we were to have to move or re-pour this footing to be within current required zoning setback, it would make this project so cost inhibiting (we’ve had informal estimates of $5,000-$7000), that we would not proceed. The cost to move the footing and re-pour this foundation, less than a half metre, would be more than half the cost of the construction of our entire project. The existing footing and foundation, as surveyed already for elevation, is construction ready.
It is important to note, the rest of the accessory building will be built under height and no other variances are needed. The application was originally to be presented to the Board of Variance due to hardship. We have a corner lot, with the main house structure located on the top corner of the property. There are gas and water lines on the north side of the property, so this limits an accessory building there. We have a Sewer Easement Right of Way, in favour of the neighbour to the East (1269 Burnside Rd W). The easement diagonally bisects our entire backyard and requires a 1.8 meter setback restriction for building anything within that setback. This is the only accessory building location for us. We cannot even renovate our house to add square footage on for another room for additional space.
We have lived at 8 Eaton Avenue for 20 years now. We have raised 2 boys in this house, without renovating the original 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom 1964 house. Our youngest son has just left home in March 2020 to live on his own and this has now prompted us to look at a move out of our very small garage area (please see photos included in our submission package) and build a more suitable space to eventually work on hobby woodworking projects. (See pictures of Troy’s past project pieces built for family and friends). These are not for business purposes, but for enjoyment and hobby. We both still work full time so this is not a ‘retirement hobby’ area and won’t be for at least 12-15 years.