Plan for Dealing with Derelict Buildings

Tuesday, November 04, 2008 03:59 AM

Prince George, B.C – The City of Prince George is moving forward with a proposal to deal with derelict or burned out buildings. ( at right, this building has been standing, as is, since a fire over a year ago.)

In a report to Council, Rob Whitwam says there are a couple of bylaws, but nothing that deals directly with derelict buildings and making the owner do something about it.

He proposed a general approach which is as follows:

1. Upon completion of the fire investigation and prior to the building being returned to the control of the owner, the owner is advised of the City’s expectations with regard to the following:

a. Immediate requirements regarding securing the building and removal of any fire related debris from the property surrounding the building.

b. Clean up of any fire debris on adjacent City sidewalks, roads, property.

c. Development of a plan outlining the owners’ intentions for the building and the timeline associated with the plan. The plan should include any professional reports required to support/substantiate the plan.

d. Timeframe within which the plan is to be submitted to the City for review.

e. Opportunity for the City to review the plan and determine whether it is acceptable to theCity.

2. The owner is advised that in the event that the owner does not meet the City’s expectations, in whole or in part, within the timeframe provided, the City will begin the remedial action processas outlined by the Community Charter. The owner will be advised of:

a. The remedial action requirements and Council’s authority to impose remedial action under the Community Charter.

b. Administration’s intent to bring a remedial action recommendation to Council for consideration.

c. The likelihood of the City spending money for professional advice in order to properly advise Council with regard to a recommended remedial action.

d. The opportunity to make representations before Council in support of a request for Council to reconsider the remedial action order.

e. The cost recovery mechanism that applies in the event that the remedial action order isnot complied with.

Councillor Don Zurowski says he looks forward to seeing a new policy developed so the City has a new tool to deal with some of the derelict buildings in the community.

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Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: metalman on November 4 2008 7:07 AM

Amazing what a little public opinion can bring about. I assume this bold new initiative by the city is in response to recent complaints by citizens.
metalman.

Posted by: thereasonableman on November 4 2008 9:20 AM

Apparently... the plan of standing on the street with your finger up your nose, staring at it, didn't remedy the situation.

Posted by: Palopu on November 4 2008 9:49 AM

We need a new policy on derelict Politicians such as councellors, and Mayoralty candidates. Oh, right we have one called an election. Be sure to use it to get rid of ALL incumbents.

Posted by: Thunder on November 4 2008 1:15 PM

I wonder how this building has been able to sit like this for so long. Why is it that the Columbus was deemed unsafe and torn down so quickly whereas this building sits like this. It doesn't look very safe to me.

Posted by: Chester on November 4 2008 6:10 PM

What the heck to they mean by spending money for Professional Advice to advise council? My goodness, one would think that this is the first time in Canadian history that a Municipal Government was faced with this type of decision.

Don't we all belong to an association of Municipalities? Why don't we just ask a few other communities what they have done in a similiar situation? Why does so many decisions by our council seem like it's the first one ever made? It's shake up time!