Community Standards Bylaw
The proposed bylaw was defeated by council at the public hearing on May 11.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The proposed Community Standards Bylaw helps address unsightly premises. The purpose of the bylaw is to prevent unsightly premises from developing by outlining clear expectations and standards to citizens, and to provide an enforcement mechanism to address them when they occur.
The proposed bylaw applies to properties in hamlets, subdivisions and other identified areas. The proposed bylaw does not apply to agricultural, farming, commercial or industrial lands.
The proposed bylaw is in response to public complaints about unsightly properties. Leduc County received 142 related complaints between 2010 and 2019. Majority of these complaints were for properties in hamlets or subdivisions. Landowners who are affected by nuisance properties often want our help to improve the situation; this bylaw helps us encourage compliance and enables us to take corrective measures when needed.
The proposed bylaw requires property owners in hamlets, localities and other identified areas to take certain actions. The below list is a summary of those actions; for complete details, refer to the proposed Community Standards Bylaw.
- Take efforts to prevent their property from showing signs of serious disregard for general maintenance and upkeep.
- Secure abandoned buildings to prevent unauthorized access.
- Contain or remove construction and waste materials to prevent them from being scattered from the property, and ensure waste materials are properly disposed of.
- Ensure no device on their property allows water to flow in the direction of an adjacent property if it is likely the water will enter that property.
- Ensure outdoor lights are not shone in a manner that will disturb another individual or interfere with traffic safety.
The proposed bylaw outlines penalties of between $250 and $500 for first offences, and between $500 and $1,000 for subsequent offences.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
| What properties does the proposed Community Standards apply to? |
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The proposed bylaw applies to properties in hamlets, subdivisions and other identified areas. The proposed bylaw does not apply to agricultural, farming, commercial or industrial lands. |
| Why is Leduc County proposing this bylaw? |
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The proposed Community Standards Bylaw helps address unsightly premises. The purpose of the bylaw is to prevent unsightly premises from developing by outlining clear expectations and standards to citizens, and to provide an enforcement mechanism to address them when they occur. The proposed bylaw is in response to public complaints about unsightly properties. Leduc County received 142 related complaints between 2010 and 2019. Majority of these complaints were for properties in hamlets or subdivisions. A growing number of municipalities in Alberta, including Parkland County and Strathcona County, have developed similar bylaws for their communities. These bylaws are more detailed than the general framework outlined in the Municipal Government Act, an enable municipalities to address a range of municipal property concerns unique to them. |
| If passed, how will the bylaw be enforced? |
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Enforcement will be based on complaints from citizens, and not based on officer patrols seeking out unsightly premises. If, during the course of an investigation, an officer discovers a nearby property which is obviously in the same or worse condition, that property may be addressed. The main goal through the enforcement of this bylaw will be education (warnings) prior to enforcement (fines). We commit to educating citizens about the basic standards outlined in the bylaw, which reflect the expectations of Leduc County citizens. If, after educating citizens about the bylaw, compliance is not achieved, enforcement through fines and other court actions are an option. These actions will be considered only after efforts have been made to achieve compliance. Any property owner who receives a fine has the right to appeal to Leduc County council. |
| If passed, what are the penalties for violating the bylaw? |
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The proposed bylaw outlines penalties of between $250 and $500 for first offences, and between $500 and $1,000 for subsequent offences. Property owners have the right to appeal to Leduc County council. |
OUTCOME OF PUBLIC HEARING
The proposed bylaw was defeated by council at the public hearing on May 11.