Prince George, B.C.- The clean up of the Lombardy Mobile Home Park on Norwood Street will proceed.

( at right, one of the properties  Council has ordered  demolished and debris removed)

Bylaw Services Manager, Frank Crittenden delivered a detailed presentation complete with image after image of dilapidated vacant structures, debris, and general lack of maintenance at the park.

In all, there are more than a dozen mobile homes and buildings that have been ordered demolished and the owner of the park ordered to clean up the park.

All but one of the mobile homes ordered demolished are vacant. The one unit where there is someone living   is occupied by one person who is living in part of the trailer.

One was the scene of a fire earlier this year and the burned out shell remains another that had also burned has been partially removed, but the base remains.

In addition to the issues with the debris and derelict mobile homes, there is, what Crittenden refers to as “an illegal camping site” which contravenes bylaws

Crittenden told Council some work has already started with grass being cut, a targeted building painted, at least two mobile homes “crushed” and a building demolished but the debris remains.

There are about 112 mobile home park pads in the park and 68 to 70 are occupied.

Crittenden says while many of the derelict trailers have been abandoned, Lombardy Management Group still has a responsibility for allowing them to be there.

Councillor Jillian Merrick called for City Staff to assist in relocating the occupant of the one trailer, and of the campsite.

There was a request for an extension to the ordered action, but Councillors were not willing to go there.

(at right, interior of of one of the  abandoned units)

Councillor Frank Everitt, says he visited the site, he noted people were taking action to clean up, but he urged council to follow through with the work.

“It is long overdue” said Councillor Murry Krause, but asked for some work to ensure workers removing the debris are not injured.

“Not only has this been a significant cost to taxpayers for time and resources, but there are folks who live in Lombardy trailer park and they deserve to be safe from crime, fire and health hazards” said Councillor Terri McConnachie as she said she would not support giving the property owner an extension.

“This is the third remedial action that has come before council in a very short period of time” says Mayor Lyn Hall “We are serious.” He added that the City will continue in this clean up mode regardless of where the offending property might be.