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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-05-11, Page 35GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1978—PAGE 13A Property standards bylaw under gun BY JEFF SEDDON Goderich Planning Board agrees with the concept of a property standards bylaw for Goderich but is not 100 per- cent sure the bylaw proposed would hot do more harm than good. Planning board reviewed the proposed bylaw recently and raised some concern that the legislation was too restrictive and unnecessary. Some members felt that the bylaw was too restrictive to be of any good to the town and others feared the bylaw could be used to find fault with almost every house in Goderich. The confusion amongst planning board members arises from the fact that they know the bylaw has to be stringent and has to be passed but they are torn between what the government of Ontario wants and what the Town of Goderich wants. County planner Roman Dzus told the board that the bylaw is required to make the town eligible for Neigh- borhood Improvement Program (NIP) funds from fedral and provincial governments, funds the town has already had approved , and plans to spend. Dzus said the governments require the town to pass a property • standards' bylaw that was worded strong enough to assure government agencies that any public money spent on private housing projects would assure top quality housing stock. The planner explained the need for the comprehensive bylaw he prepared but pointed out that he did it only to satisfy Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation, underwriters of the NIP project. He explained that he was not necessarily ad- vocating the proposed bylaw but felt it may be necessary for acceptance by CMHC. He added that if planning board wished to alter the document it was free ,to do so., TOO SEVERE Ken McGee said the proposed bylaw was, in some cases, "foolish and severe". He said the intent planning board wanted was in the bylaw but that the proposed document needed "revision from one end to the other". McGee picked out several clauses in the bylaw he felt were unnecessary claiming many houses in Goderich wouldn't meet the standards suggested. He said in many cases the clauses dealt with things that were "no, one's business but the property He said the bylaw was not owners". He said he. was not meant to be something that concerned that the bylaw could be used to check out the would be used by someone to size of bedroom windows or spy on another person or fuel the amount of cupboard space personal disputes but that the in a kitchen. He emphasized proposal was too restrictive. that the only way the bylaw He cited a clause con- could be enforced would be to cerning automobiles and demonstrate that any sub - other machinery, including a standard dwelling is a boat or trailer, which are -in a "hazard to human life or wrecked or dismantled . public health". condition or are discarded, "I want to make that abandoned or in disrepair. .abundantly clear," he The clause would make it stressed. ti illegal to store the vehicles on He said the whole emphasis a residential lot in Goderich. "What about someone restoring an antique automobile?" he asked. "What could be a very serious project in one person's mind may be a piece of junk in anothers." He cited another clause dealing with railings on steps claiming it was unrealistic to demand steps to have railings placed in a certain area or the steps to be off certain height or construction. "Just drive around town and look at verandahs," he said. "They just don't have that." CLEAR INTENT, Dzus said he was concerned that planning board was not grasping the intent of the bylaw. He said the legislation was merely a guideline the town can display to the government to show that it had passed laws that would assure any government money invested in private housing. would be done properly. Many fears laid to rest BY JEFF SEDDON she understood the need for the legislation for Goderich Fears that enforcement of a but felt that the proposed property standards bylaw for ' bylaw went beyond public Goderich may result in a standards and• involved witch hunt were Laidto rest in personal -preferences. a public meeting recently "I still believe my home is called to hear objections to my castle," she said. "This the bylaw. bylaw tells me how many The. Goderich Planning cubic feet of°cupboard space I Board aired the bylaw in a must have in my kitchen and public meeting and when that gets my back up. What is town officials, members of inside my house is personal." planning board and town Haydon said she felt the employees were counted bylaw was too restrictive about half a dozen residents pointing out that she didn't 'showed up to have the want people "left and right proposed bylaw explained. inside my home telling me County planner Roman what to do". She said she Dzus told the meeting that the would like to • see a preven- bylaw was drawn up as one of tative clause put in the bylaw the requirements of the for the protection of Neighborhood Improvement homeowners in Goderich. Program (NIP)' which is Dzus said Haydon's fears already underway in were unfounded claiming the Goderich. Dzus said the whole emphasis of the bylaw passing of the , property is to work with homeowners standards bylaw opens the to solve problems that exist in doors for the municipality to housing stock. He said he receive government funding didn't thinkthe sort of witch for improvement of housing hunt Haydon spoke of would and building stock in business ever eventuate claiming it areas of town. was "horrendous and un - He said the NIP project thinkable" to have someone goes hand in hand with the running around Goderich Residential Rehabilitation posting work orders on. Assistance Program private homes. (RRAP). The NIP funds "Town council controls this available from provincial and ,bylaw and it is only as gGod as federal governments are the members of council want provided for hard and soft it to be," said the planner. services such as sewers, He told the meeting that the roads and recreational seri4s of events leading up to facilities. RRAP funds are actual enforcement of the handed over to a municipality bylaw were in themselves for the administration by safeguards. He said the first towns and cities to provide step is for someoneto make a - low cost loans to residents of complaint to the property NIP areas for renovation of standards officer and with private housing. that complaint show that Dzus said the government investigation is needed only requires municipalities because the problem is one to demonstrate an effort to involving human safety and have the RRAP funds used Wealth. That proved the of - properly by passing a ficer then inspects the site property standards bylaw to and discusses problems with show that work done on ,the owner pointing' out work private housing with public needed. funds will bring that house up Hopefully, the owner can be to a high standard of quality. convinced of the need to look The major criticism of the after the problem and the proposed bylaw is its minute matter is resolved. If not the detail. Elsa Haydon told Dzus Turn to page 15A -A / S TV YOUR HEADQUARTERS FOR • ROGERS MAJESTIC TV • :EXPERT TV SERVICE • ANTENNA 8 TOWER INSTALLATION 162 MARY ST. GADERICH 524-9089 of the bylaw was to give the town an avenue to work with property owners to rectify housing problems. He said the town could provide technical assistance for homeowners through its property standards officer and work on a "co-operative" basis with the homeowner. "I think there's an un- necessary amount of alarm about the intent of the bylaw," he said. TOO RESTRICTIVE John Schaefer said the bylaw was something the town of Goderich had been looking for for years. He said possibly by making the bylaw too restrictive the town would not be able to make enough use • of it. He said many properties could be 'cleaned up for the good of the town but council wouldn't be able to prove hazard to public health and would still be powerless. "We're sort of caught in the middle," he said. 'We're trying to give intent without being too restrictive." Schaefer suggested that planning board adopt the policy showing the intent of the bylaw and then direct the actual bylaw clause by clause to assure that the end result is something both the town and the government want and need. Dzus reminded the board that CMHC wanted a document passed that would give the town a tool to guarantee that , government money would be properly used. He said the town couldn't be too loose with the bylaw because CMHC may not accept something vague. He said the town could pass the bylaw for the benefit of the NIP project and: then rest their concerns by either not enforcing the bylaw or rewriting it. "We may not enforce it to the letter of the law but the letter of the law is there," said McGee. "It's easy to say the town won't enfor.:e it but if it is not going to be enforced why have it." 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