There could be some changes on the way to a provision in the property maintenance bylaw with respect to "junked vehicles."
The changes, discussed Tuesday at a meeting of North Battleford's Municipal Services Committee, are being proposed to clear up some "grey areas" in the current bylaw.
Those "grey areas" have ensnared classic cars and other otherwise roadworthy vehicles in the past. Deputy Fire Chief Brian Wilson told council bylaw enforcement is running into issues due to people who "have collector vehicles that aren't currently registered but are otherwise in reasonable shape."
Under the existing bylaw, those still fell under the "junked vehicles" definition, he said.
Instead, changes to that and other portions of the bylaw are being proposed by administration to clean up the definitions so those vehicles would not be included, and also improve enforcement of the key provisions.
Some of the changes being proposed by administration are as follows:
First, to determine the maximum number of unregistered vehicles, regardless of condition, allowed on a property. Administration had suggested a number around five or six but there was considerable sentiment at the meeting, particularly from Councillor Trent Houk and Mayor Ian Hamilton, that the number be lowered to around three.
Second, a change is being proposed in the definition of "junked vehicle" to "derelict vehicle," which would include a vehicle not roadworthy, not registered, left in the open and either abandoned or in a dismantled state being used primarily for salvage or parts, or is a vehicle actively being restored or is stored and planned for restoration. A maximum of two vehicles was proposed.
Third, there is a proposal to retain the restriction that any derelict vehicle be stored only in the back yard, and be fitted with an approved vehicle cover at all times unless actively being restored.
A fourth proposal is to retain the exemption allowing large recreational vehicles to be parked in front, rear and side yards, but if unregistered it would count towards that number.
A last but most important provision is to define "untidy and unsightly" as a condition caused due to the over accumulation of any type of materials in any yard, such that the yard becomes visually unattractive and negatively affects the value of other properties in the neighbourhood. It is expected that regardless of whether the maximum allowable number of vehicles are stored by the property, these must be stored in a tidy and orderly manner.
Councillors appear on board with most of the proposed changes, but made clear they were less keen on a proposal to also include definitions of "roadworthy" and "not roadworthy" as part of the changes. That idea is not likely to go ahead.
The next step is for City Hall to get feedback from the public on the proposed bylaw changes, which would include postings on their website as well as through their media and communications co-ordinator.
An amended bylaw would need to be drafted with all proposed changes, which would need to be approved at a future council meeting for the changes to come into effect.
