(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Derelict properties

R.M. council grants property owner three-month extension; suggests $25,000 fine for future messy yard offences

Jul 11, 2019 | 2:20 PM

The Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Prince Albert Council has been provided with an update on a property that has been regarded as an eyesore for years.

James Gray, 78, bought the property beside the Twilite Motel last March, but admitted to Council Thursday he had no idea at the time how much work and time would be required to clean it up. As per an order by the R.M., Gray is required to report to council on his progress. He requested council give him an open ended extension to clean up the property.

“I could drop dead any day and I want that property cleaned up,” he said.

Gray says one of the biggest jobs he faces is the removal of the numerous outbuildings on the property. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

After informing Gray that an open ended extension was not possible, and that council needed to review the progress on the property, Reeve Eric Schmalz proposed a three-month extension which council passed. Afterwards Gray told paNOW despite the condition of the property, he had no regrets about buying it.

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“I’ve been watching that property since 1989 and it’s a five star property,” he said.

Gray said he has been told he will need 100 semi loads to get the materials cleared away. Coincidentally on the same day Gray’s property was discussed, council also discussed revisions to its nuisance abatement bylaw. A number of proposed changes are included such as raising the fine from $10,000 to $25,000 and also changing the name of the bylaw itself to a ‘property standards bylaw.’

“People need to understand what we are talking about,” Schmalz said, adding the new name would stand out better on the R.M.’s website.

Administrator Roxanne Roy and Reeve Eric Schmalz listen to the questions raised by council. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Another proposed revisions to the bylaw will address properties considered fire hazards, and how to deal with incidents where garbage is blown from one property on to neighbouring property. The bylaw amendments have passed first reading and will be brought back for second reading at the R.M. council’s next meeting.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell