KENILWORTH – Wellington North is implementing a clean yard bylaw to regulate the maintenance of properties in the township.
Council adopted the bylaw on May 27.
Chief building official Darren Jones explained the bylaw is in addition to the township’s property standards bylaw for less serious items such as long grass or weeds.
Jones’ report to council stated the intent of the clean yard bylaw is to assist the township with ensuring timely, effective and efficient enforcement of bylaw concerns that could be addressed quickly.
A report to council stated use of the clean yard bylaw would not require the timelines or extensive orders such as those used for property standards enforcement, which requires that a minimum 21-day order be issued to allow for compliance.
Instead of 21 days, an order may require immediate 24-hour removal for items identified as a health and safety risk or a standard five days for basic items of refuse, waste, debris and or the cutting of grass and weeds (extensions may be granted only as deemed by an officer).
The bylaw would outline better guidelines and clarification for property owners for the required maintenance of exterior yard areas on a property.
Jones said this would help get some of the smaller issues addressed quickly as opposed to going through the more cumbersome property standards bylaw.
Bylaw enforcement officer Shawn Kitto said “we are working towards faster compliance times for certain things – such as unsafe properties and potential health concerns.”
Kitto stressed “it is not to seem we are coming down harder on people, but these are lesser issues and we want to ensure they are rectified quickly in the name of health and safety.”
Councillor Lisa Hern asked “how sticky are we going to be?” She acknowledged grass on her property is currently around eight inches long.
“Are we going to see you knocking on the door, Darren?” she asked.
Jones said it would be a judgement call. He also clarified there are times of year because of weather when one cannot address grass height immediately.
Jones said “at this time of year it can be tricky, but that is not what this is about. This is about issues which are creating problems.”
Councillor Dan Yake asked whether investigations were complaint driven.
Jones said yes and complaints will go through the same process as a property standards complaint.
It would be up to the enforcement officer as to which process would be used to deal with a complaint.
Kitto added he can proactively deal with issues if they are serious enough.
Council later approved the bylaw.
