At the July 25 regular council meeting, Fernie City Council approved a staff recommendation in regards to bylaw enforcement of unsightly properties.
According to a staff report from City of Fernie’s bylaw officer, Ryan Borjemsky, unsightly properties located at 1 St. Margaret’s Road and 34 and 36 Silver Ridge Drive have not been complying with Unsightly Property Prevention Bylaw No. 1587.
Borjemsky’s report detailed that he has sent two letters to the property owners, informing them that they are required to clear their property of “brush, trees, noxious weeds and other growths.” The first letter was sent on June 8, while a second letter was sent on July 5, informing the owner they had five business days to comply with the bylaw and clean their property. To date, the City has received no response from the property owners.
Borjemsky’s report provided council with three options for action: to authorize city staff to enter the property and complete the work; to direct Borjemsky to immediately issue a violation ticket to the owner, with an additional $100 fine for every day the property is left unkempt; and lastly, to take no course of action. Borjemsky’s report said that no violation tickets had been issued to the home owner.
Staff recommended the first option, as there has been no correspondence from the property owner and no indication of intention to comply with the bylaw. The motion was to authorize City of Fernie staff to complete the work, and to notify the owner that the work will be completed in the week of Aug. 1 to 5.
The estimated cost for cleaning the property is $250.
Councillor Dan McSkimming made the motion, which was then seconded by Councillor Phil Iddon. It passed unopposed.
