What Is Good For The Goose Is Good For The Gander

If it is the law then it should apply to all and the local councillor should personally visit every home that is in violation of the bylaw and order them to comply. This is just another example of a bylaw enforcement officer not using common sense and a city councillor who seems to be terrified of dealing with a labour problem.

Double driveway must go
City takes narrow approach to widely seen feature okayed by old municipality
February 02, 2007
John Spears
CITY HALL BUREAU

Susan and Allan Stevens have lived in their east Toronto house, with a single garage and a double driveway, for 29 years.

Now they've been told it has to go.

City officials have known all about the double driveway for many years.

That's because the driveway used to have only a single ramp at the curb. So, back in 1993, the old City of Scarborough helpfully cut the curb to widen the ramp to full double driveway width.

The couple paid $118.77; they still have the receipt. "Payment for 2 metre curb cut," it reads.

But last fall, a city inspector slapped the couple with a notice that their double driveway violates city standards, because they have only a single garage.

The couple now has a choice. They can take out the offending pavement — a job that, with landscaping, would cost about $5,000.

Or they can install barriers that would prevent cars from using the extra pavement for parking. Concrete curbs at least 15 centimetres high would satisfy the city. So would a fence or a series of planters – as long as they are permanently fixed to the pavement.

If they don't comply, the city can come to their house, install curbs on the drive and send them the bill.

The couple points out that dozens of houses on their street have single garages and double drives, yet they seem to be the only ones slapped with the order by the city inspector.

"He could drive down this street at 5 p.m. and ding everybody," says Susan Stevens.

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