Committee recommends regulating snout houses, but no ban yet

CTV Windsor: Snout Houses Council will now debate Snout Houses after the Planning Committee approved a recommendation to regulate them. Angelo Aversa reports.

A local developer is defending the construction of so-called “snout houses” in Windsor.

Mike Habib of Habib Homes says about 80 per cent of his customers are from out of town, and prefer the ‘snout house’ style.

“They're like wow look at this great space, look at this great house. For half the money, I have this whole big house and it has more character, more structure. You can sit out in the front and not have the sun beating down on you" says Habib.

The city’s planning, heritage and economic development standing committee approved a proposal on Monday to regulate the homes, but a ban is not a done deal yet.

By a vote of 3-2, the committee supported a recommendation to discourage snout houses in new developments and study the “advisability” of banning them throughout Windsor. But the committee stopped short of banning the building type in the new Sandwich South area near the airport that is slated for development.

The issue will now go to council for debate.

A “snout house” is described as a home with a protruding garage in the front, making it difficult for some neighbours to see the front door.

Police suggest there is a safety and visibility concern with these homes.

But ward 7 councillor Irek Kusmierczyk says he hasn't noticed that in his ward.

“There really hasn't been much concern in east riverside in terms of safety relating to the structure of the home so i really don't see the major issue here" adds Kusmierczyk, who feels home buyers want larger square footage.

Ward 4 councillor Chris Holt wants to see a firm policy on these types of homes.

Habib says he agrees with the proposed restriction on how far garages should be allowed to stick out, but he questions the length they may go to.