A St. Thomas woman’s efforts to promote water safety is in jeopardy thanks to zoning bylaw issues.
For more than three decades, young children have learned to swim in Joy Dawdy’s backyard pool at 21 Philip Street, near Central Elgin Collegiate Institute.
That is, until she received an anonymous letter back in 2020 complaining about noise and parking, in what the individual described as an illegal business operating out of her home.
Since then, she has had conversations with the city and sought legal advice.
City staff advise that an amendment to the existing zoning bylaw, which does allow home-based businesses, would be required.
Hitting Dawdy with a $1,500 bill.
The matter was raised at the Oct. 14 council meeting where members received a report related to a zoning bylaw amendment to deal with the home-based business.
The report notes home-based businesses are allowed; however, they “must be carried out entirely within a dwelling unit.”
For Dawdy to continue with her swimming lessons will require an Official Plan Amendment.
The report advises, “Staff are concerned that the proposed amendments do not conform to the intent and purpose of the Official Plan and do not represent good planning.”
Furthermore, “Based on these concerns, it is likely that staff will be recommending refusal of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications due to issues of compatibility with the surrounding residential neighbourhood.”
Concerns were raised by several members of council that, should the application be approved, the city could open the doors to several similar amendments to the Official Plan.
A public meeting was held Monday (Nov. 10) evening at city hall, where Dawdy’s supporters crowded the public gallery in a show of appreciation.
She has collected a petition with almost 3,900 signatures and has received almost 300 letters of support.
Dawdy stressed to members of council, “Please look beyond the bylaw and let this be an exemption for this life-saving service to the entire community. The community need is great and there’s insufficient availability provided by the city. Let’s make as many citizens as safe as possible.”
Numerous supporters were given the opportunity to speak, and one of them urged council members to “Save Joy Dawdy’s swimming school, not because it’s easy, but because it’s the right thing, and because this is St. Thomas, and we take care of our own. Thank you.”
A follow-up report from city staff will be presented to council at a future date. It is not known at this time whether it will be for information only, or whether the report will contain recommendations.
Written by Ian McCallum
