GUELPH/ERAMOSA – A recent report shows a steady rise in bylaw complaints in Guelph/Eramosa, a pattern that’s been consistent over the past four years.
On July 11, council reviewed the township’s bylaw enforcement activity from Jan. 1 to June 30.
“Since 2018 we’ve been getting a steady rise of bylaw complaints and significantly [more] over the last couple of years,” said bylaw enforcement officer Ivan Lunevski.
“For the first part of this year we’re sitting at about 180 bylaw complaints.”
He noted that is up from roughly 160 complaints during the same time last year.
In 2021, the township received 607 inquiries regarding bylaws and 352 complaints were investigated as alleged violations.
This year, so far, staff have received a total of 425 inquiries and 188 of those were investigated as alleged violations (125 have been closed and 63 currently remain under investigation).
“The majority of the complaints are in the property standards and zoning section and most of the complaints have been investigated,” Lunevski explained.
Of the 188 complaints received between January and June, 35 were related to property standards and 35 were related to zoning.
Lunevski added that since the bylaw position went to full-time in June, the department has been able to catch up with a majority of the files.
Mayor Chris White thanked Lunevski for the report, stating he is happy to have a bylaw enforcement officer on full-time now.
“I’ve already heard comments about things moving along and it’s great,” White said.
“I think we’re in a position where this was a good choice and (we) appreciate the extra work you’re doing out there.”
Council received the report for information.
