variance-justification-table

name	Variance Justification Table
description	A concise, tabular summary that provides a specific justification for each individual variance requested.

21. Variance Justification Table

What It Is

A concise, tabular summary that provides a specific justification for each individual variance requested. Often appended to the planning rationale or included in Committee of Adjustment presentation materials.

Why It Matters

• Committee members review many files and appreciate concise summaries
• Each variance needs its own justification — generic statements are insufficient
• Municipal staff use this table in their reports

How to Build It

VARIANCE JUSTIFICATION TABLE

| # | By-law Section | Standard | Required | Proposed | Variance | Justification |
|---|---------------|----------|----------|----------|----------|---------------|
| 1 | 569-2013, s. 10.20.40.70(1) | Max Height | 10.0 m | 12.5 m | +2.5 m (25%) | The additional height accommodates a livable second storey with a functional roof pitch. The proposed height is consistent with the prevailing heights of recently built homes on the street (11.5m at 45 Main, 12.8m at 51 Main). The additional shadow falls primarily on the subject property's own front yard and is limited to early morning hours on the equinox. |
| 2 | 569-2013, s. 10.20.40.10(2) | Min Rear Setback | 7.5 m | 5.0 m | -2.5 m (33%) | The reduced rear setback applies only to the ground floor single-storey portion of the building (kitchen extension). The second storey maintains the 7.5m setback. A 5.0m rear yard is adequate for functional outdoor amenity space (60 sq m total). The rear lot line abuts a laneway, not a neighbouring rear yard, so there is no privacy or overlook impact. |
| 3 | 569-2013, s. 10.20.40.80(1) | Max Lot Coverage | 35% | 42% | +7% | The increased lot coverage results from the ground-floor extension. Despite the increase, 58% of the lot remains unbuilt, providing adequate soft landscaping (32%) and permeable surface area. The lot coverage is comparable to neighbouring properties which have coverages of 38-45% based on GIS measurement. |

FORMAT NOTES:
- Keep justifications to 2-4 sentences each
- Always reference specific evidence (precedent, measurements,
  shadow data, neighbourhood character)
- Avoid generic language like "the variance is minor"
- Link each justification to one or more of the four tests
- Use plain language — Committee members are often lay people