West Grey residents will have a chance next week to weigh in on proposed zoning changes aimed at making it easier to add secondary housing units like granny flats.
A public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 9 a.m. at the West Grey Municipal Office in Durham. The meeting will also be available by Zoom audio.
The proposed housekeeping amendment would update the municipality’s zoning bylaw to allow detached additional dwelling units in residential zones, reduce minimum floor area requirements for dwellings, rezone all R1B properties to R2, and allow Natural Environment-zoned land to be used when calculating minimum lot area.
Mayor Kevin Eccles says the changes are meant to bring West Grey’s rules in line with newer provincial planning policy.
"It’s just a housekeeping amendment to bring this up to date, put our zoning up to date with the provincial planning statement," Eccles said.
He says the biggest issue being addressed is red tape for property owners who want to add secondary housing.
"The problem that it is solving is red tape," said Eccles. "The way we have it now, you’ve got to go through zoning amendments and whatnot for something that the provincial government has mandated that we shall be doing."
Eccles says the amendment would make the process easier for people looking at options such as granny flats, secondary homes, or additional apartments.
"It’s going to make it more easy to get through the whole bureaucracy of that and speed it up for the residents," he said.
A staff report says West Grey’s current zoning bylaw was adopted in 2006 and needs a broader update. Staff say the proposed targeted amendment could reduce the number of zoning amendments and minor variances needed each year, freeing up planning staff time while also reducing costs and delays for property owners.
Eccles says there would still be restrictions, especially where lot size, servicing, or impacts on neighbours are a concern.
"Where it’s possible and where it’s not going to interfere with their neighbours, those things are taken into account and recognized within these amendments," he said.
He says he expects some residents may ask how the changes could affect neighbouring properties, but believes much of the public response will be positive.
"The major one is going to be, 'Oh, thank goodness. Now I can go ahead and do this and have more access to options on my property,'" said Eccles.
On concerns that the amendment could open the door to too much intensification, Eccles says he does not see that being a major issue.
"Don’t get cranked up that you’re going to be metropolitan on this," he said. "There’s enough safeguards and rails in here."
Eccles says the changes are intended to make better use of existing properties while creating more housing options.
"It’s going to make better use of some of the properties that we have and offer certainly more economical housing solutions for your children or your grandchildren," he said.
The amendment also includes other zoning clarifications, including some related to industrial parks.
Feedback from the public meeting will help inform the final version of the housekeeping bylaw. Written comments can also be submitted to West Grey Senior Planner Matt Rapke.
