Kudos to Town of Bonnyville council for finally instituting a bylaw which will essentially force people to keep their properties tidy or pay a fine.
Mayor Ernie Isley has said the issue has been on the Town's radar on and off for three years.
But because there was no system in place to fine people, attempts to enforce bylaws dealing with unsightly properties were tough.
Isley has said the new bylaw is important “so that we have some teeth in the enforcement of unsightly properties and messy back lanes.”
The new bylaw prohibits the excessive accumulation of material, litter, garbage, dust, dirt, smoke, and damaged vehicles. It also covers messy compost heaps, animal remains or feces, and noxious weeds, including those that may spread to a neighbour's property. Maintenance must be kept up in the back lanes as well, which must be clear of nuisances, including fallen leaves, with grass cut to a reasonable length. The bylaw also covers snow and ice removal, and the upkeep of lawns and sidewalks of unoccupied buildings, and the timely removal of graffiti. It also deals with noise control.
The bylaw now enables the town's bylaw officer to slap those not in compliance with a fine and notice of the timeline in which they have to address the issue. Failure to do so will result in the Town stepping in and charging the owner to clean up the property. Unpaid fees will be added to an owner's tax bill.
The bylaw is based on current Town of Bonnyville bylaws as well as those of other municipalities, that obviously see the value of instituting such bylaws.
The Town is wise to adopt such a bylaw to deal with unsightly properties, which are an eyesore neighbours are unfairly subjected to, and affect the community's appearance and reputation.
Here's hoping this bylaw inspires owners of unsightly properties to clean up their act.
