Local musician and teacher Tobin Spring is in the process of rebuilding his home on Brunel Road, which was destroyed by fire last year.
News of the fire shocked many in the community who were thankful that neither Spring nor his tenants were home when the fire took place, but lamented the loss of his beloved dog Molly. Molly was a gregarious dog that many of the guitar students who frequented Spring’s home for lessons had gotten to know and love as she would often be the first one to greet them at the door.
The good news is Spring is in the process of rebuilding. Planning Consultant John Gallagher was before the Town’s Committee of Adjustment on October 12 seeking approval to increase the permitted lot coverage for a reconstructed duplex on the property from 14.96 per cent to 15.6 per cent. Gallagher was also asking committee to allow a reduction of the northerly side yard setback from 5 meters to 3.66 meters to permit a proposed 17.37 square meter addition to the reconstructed duplex.
“The purpose of this application is to permit the reconstruction of a duplex destroyed by fire together with a small addition and built at a reduced height,” noted Huntsville Planner Curtis Syvret. “The zoning bylaw permits the reconstruction of a non-compliant building but restricts the development to the same location, size and height,” he said, adding that staff recommended approval of the application.
Gallagher said that as part of the rebuilding process it became apparent that it would be much easier to square off the corner of the duplex, which would result in a small addition as part of Spring’s studio space.
“The building is already on an angle, with the new build we’re actually going from two-and-a-half storeys down to two storeys and the first floor elevation sits about four feet off the grade now and it’ll be lowered down another four feet so it’ll be a significantly lower building,” he said, adding that the building will remain on the same footprint save for the addition being proposed.
Committee approved the variance requests. See Doppler’s related story here.
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Because I come up Brunel to go into town, I pass the house every time, and think of Tobin. Glad things are moving ahead, and I can’t wait to see the place all redone and inhabited again. Rock on, Tobin!
RIP sweet Molly. So sad she lost her life in the fire. Tobin will now be able to move forward with his musical life in his new home. He is absolutely amazing. Every time I hear the song Renegade I think of him.