The City of Yorkton is looking to update its Property Standards Bylaw.
The current Property Standards Bylaw No. 1/2011 was originally adopted in 2011.
“Since the Bylaw was originally adopted only one amendment occurred in 2015 to transfer requirements regarding “Back Lane and Alley Trees” from the Urban Forestry Bylaw to the Property Standards Bylaw,” explained Nicole Baptist, Bylaw Coordinator with the City Monday at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council.
Baptist suggested it was time for an update.
“As communities grow, new concerns often come to light and Bylaws must be reviewed to address this. Through conversations with complainants, non-conforming property owners and property owners visiting the Property Standards Appeal Board, Administration has gathered additional feedback, which was taken into consideration throughout this bylaw. Administration also improved the clarity in many sections throughout the Bylaw,” she said.
The update will include a number of rather significant changes in terms of the public.
“Two changes were made that will impact recreational vehicles parking in driveways. Firstly, the restriction for when recreational vehicles are prohibited from parking in the driveway is currently from October 1st to April 30th, in the draft Bylaw the restriction is from November 1st to March 31st, which is stated in Section 9 of the Draft Bylaw. Secondly, that recreational vehicles parked in driveways or parking pads must be parked a minimum of 1.5 metres from the interior edge of the sidewalk or curb, which is listed in Section 10,” noted Baptist.
The bylaw, if passed as is, would also create new regulations around the use of shipping containers.
Two sections were inserted regarding shipping containers on residential and non-residential properties. Administration noticed that shipping containers are becoming more prevalent in the City and believe it’s important to stay ahead of this trend. Administration will also be proposing future Zoning Bylaw amendments to support the changes in the Property Standards Bylaw, detailed Baptist.
Residents also have their responsibilities regarding boulevard and back alley maintenance defined.
Regarding boulevard and alley maintenance for residential and non-residential properties, they will require property owners to maintain adjacent boulevards and alleys, including grass maintenance and cleaning up litter if deposited in the alley adjacent to their property.
“The maximum number of junked vehicles permitted to be stored on a residential property was reduced from two junked vehicles to one junked vehicle, which is stated in Section 20 of the Draft Bylaw,” noted Baptist.
Heating standards for residences will also be included among the changes. A section of the bylaw “was modified and expanded to provide more heating and ventilation requirements as Administration receives many complaints of inadequate heating (primarily from rental units) and currently do not have any minimum heating requirements,” said Baptist.
Council unanimously passed first reading of the bylaw, which will now process to Public Notice and Public Hearing for the Draft Property Standards Bylaw.
The Draft Property Standards Bylaw will also be taken before the Planning and Infrastructure Committee for additional feedback.
After Public Notice is given, the Bylaw will return to Council, at the Jan. 8 Council meeting, to hear Public Notice submissions and to proceed with consideration of the second and third reading of the Bylaw for approval and enactment.
