Property bylaws changing

The City of Yorkton is updating its Property Standards Bylaw, which received unanimous second reading support from Council at its regular meeting Monday.

Brant Hryhorczuk, Manager of Building Services with the City, explained third reading will come back to Council after the public has been afforded time for input on the changes to the bylaw.

There are a number of changes which will impact residents, he added.

As an example, "the display of a numbered address will be required on all buildings," said Hryhorczuk, adding emergency services called for the change to facilitate easier identification of homes.

Another change will make it the responsibility of the owner to remove any graffiti from their property immediately upon its discovery, said Hryhorczuk, adding the change was made after consultation with the City's Protective Services Committee and the local Chamber of Commerce.

Portable Garage Structures will no longer be allowed to be located on a front driveway or anywhere in a front yard.

"They will be allowed to be in the back yard, or a side yard," said Hryhorczuk.

Motorized vehicles, trailers or campers will not be allowed to be stored in a front yard, said Hryhorczuk, adding that excludes on a driveway.

In a related area, trailers, campers and motor homes or any similar vehicle may only be stored in a driveway from April 30th to October 1st.

Residents will also be affected by changes to downspouts which will no longer be allowed to extend to a back alley or front sidewalk and must be a minimum of three metres back from each, and "handrails and guards will be required for all decks and porches for safety reasons," said Hryhorczuk.

Other changes include:

Secondary suites within any residence will be required to meet a list of minimum safety standards.

Junked vehicles will be limited to two per property and must be fitted with an approved cover.

While there are significant changes which would come into effect May 1, 2012, Hryhorczuk said "this should not be a witch hunt with us combing the back alleys." He said they will be more reactive to written complaints with the Bylaw allowing the City to take action.

Even when a complaint is made, a ticket will not be the first response, said Hryhorczuk, adding the City will issue "a friendly letter" seeking voluntary compliance.

"Tickets are the measure of last resort," he said.