Injecting Common Sense into Bylaw Enforcement
Injecting Common Sense into Bylaw Enforcement It was a predictable decision at our public hearing: applicant wanted a duplex amongst single family homes yet every neighbour in the cul-de-sac was opposed. Motion to reject was carried and all went home. Yet it seemed the applicant wasn’t quite done. He made a list of every bylaw infraction he thought each neighbour was guilty of and brought the list to staff to enforce. Management was uncomfortable with this ‘revenge’ list and sought my input as Mayor. I suggested neighbours be made aware of minor routine items (weeds, long grass, etc.) and asked to help us by complying. I don’t recall any significant items except for one – a young girl had a lamb as a pet. The bylaws didn’t permit farm animals in residential zones so we had a problem – yet I didn’t want to take this young girl’s lamb away to satisfy the neighbour’s grudge. So our solicitor said: ‘you know if you choose to review this bylaw, we won’t act o