City Council eases restrictions to facilitate use of Motor Homes for essential service workers

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The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis that calls for an unprecedented response. As such, Brantford City Council wants to make it easier for essential service providers or those who are required to quarantine to be able to self-isolate closer to home. At last evening’s Council meeting, City Council provided direction to City staff to allow front-line workers, such as health care professionals, food services workers, truck drivers, grocery clerks, transit drivers, etc. who wish to limit the risk of exposure of persons in their households by seeking alternative forms of accommodation.

The City of Brantford’s Zoning By-law currently permits the storage of motor homes and travel trailers in the rear and side yards of residential properties. The same by-law also permits the storage of a motor home or travel trailer in the front yard of a residential property for a 72-hour period, and the habitation of the travel trailer for not more than 14 days in each calendar month (parked in the rear or side yard only).

In response to the current pandemic crisis, Councillors have directed City staff to bring forward a Temporary Use By-law to allow for the temporary use of travel trailers and motor homes in the front yard of residential properties for use by essential service workers or people who have to quarantine for COVID-19 related purposes. 

Corner lots are excluded from this temporary emergency exemption, and the motor home and travel trailer must be 1 metre from the sidewalk or, where there is no sidewalk, 1 metre from the curb or the road edge.

Enforcement

While staff work to prepare the Temporary Use By-law, Council voted in favour of immediately suspending enforcement of complaints relating to the use of travel trailers and motor homes in the front yard (driveway) of residential properties. The suspension of enforcement will only apply to those who meet the following criteria:

  • Property is not a corner lot
  • Setback of 1 metre is maintained
  • Residential properties only
  • Persons who have registered their travel trailer or motor home with the City of Brantford Clerks Department, whereby proof of employment as an essential service provider or use of a motor home/travel trailer for quarantine purposes is required

To register, please contact the Clerks Department by phone at 519-759-4150 or by email at licensing@brantford.ca.

Registration with The City of Brantford must take place within 7 days of the start of the use of the motor home or travel trailer for the purposes of self-isolating or quarantine during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional Stipulations

·       Complaints that the motor home/travel trailer presents a health and safety risk will be investigated

·       Use of generators for the motor home/travel trailer is prohibited

·       By-law enforcement may require proof that appropriate sewage disposal methods are being used

Options for Waste Disposal

1)    Occupants use the services of a reputable hauler for waste disposal requirements

2)    While not a service the City normally provides, if a waste hauler service cannot be secured, on a temporary basis, sewage disposal from a motor home/trailer will be allowed at its septage receiving station on Mohawk Street by appointment. Please contact the City’s Customer Contact Centre at 519-759-4150 or wastewatercompliance@brantford.ca to book an appointment.

Complaints related to misuse of motor homes/trailers for accommodation on private property during the COVID-19 pandemic should be directed to the City’s Customer Contact Centre at 519-759-4150 or emailed to covidviolations@brantford.ca.

Alternative Options

Last night, Council also endorsed that Councillors John Utley and John Sless investigate hotel discounts and sponsorships and that Councillors Dan McCreary and Rick Weaver explore trailer rentals and non-residential opportunities for temporary trailer park usage.

All members of Council are committed to investing additional solutions to assist essential service providers and those who need to quarantine from residents in their households to do so as safely as possible.


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