Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Peace River town council has approved amendments to the Nuisance and Unsightly Property Bylaw to align fines with severity of infraction.
The Town’s new Community Peace Officers (CPO) have been working to educate the community about bylaws and have been issuing fines when warranted. With summer months approaching, the Nuisance and Unsightly Property Bylaw has required updates to ensure it is relevant.
“The proposed changes, sets fine amounts for various infractions rather than just having a general fine of $1,000 to $2,500,” explains Mayor Elaine Manzer.
“This updates the schedule of fines, with initial fines being doubled for the second time the fine is levied and doubled again for a third time levy if that was to occur within a 12-month period.”
Manzer adds there were some minor infractions that were being fined equivalent to extreme cases. She says an example would be uncut grass was fined $1,000 before the changes, now the proposal would be to start minor infraction fines at $250.
Additional changes including clarifying the definition of appeal notice and enforcement officer, adding prohibited clauses for greater and clearer enforcement ability, removing clean-up order form from the bylaw, and detailing progression of fines if violations continue to occur.
“This proposal does not increase the rules, but it does clarify some of the rules including enforcement,” Manzer explains.
“This is based on property owner’s responsibility to maintain their property and would also be considering their neighbourhood appearance.”
Manzer adds property owners in town are expected to maintain the appearance of their properties to enhance, not devalue their neighbour- hood and the town in general.
“The Town has always had this bylaw, but it is being updated to provide clarity for the CPOs and bylaw officers to enforce the bylaw.”