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The Citizen, 2016-09-29, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016. Huron East may update property standards bylaw By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen After the effectiveness of Huron East's property standards enforcement was questioned by Brussels residents earlier this year, council is looking to make some improvements. At Huron East Council's Sept. 20 meeting, which was held at the Brussels Library, bylaw enforcement and property standards officer Bruce Brockelbank spoke to council, outlining the complaint procedure and detailing where the process works and where improvements could likely be made. The issue was first raised by dozens of Brussels ratepayers who turned out for to a special meeting with Mayor Bernie MacLellan at the Brussels Legion in June, which was arranged by former Huron East Mayor Joe Seili. Ratepayers expressed disappoint- ment in the current system, feeling it wasn't working throughout the village. Some of the major complaints pertained to repeat offenders and the lack of a follow- lup process, as well as a perceived difference in the level of enforce- ment between the communities of Brussels and Seaforth. Brockelbank spoke to council first about the procedure through which a complaint can be filed, saying that a written complaint must be submitted and that it has to be signed by the complainant. While a name has to be attached to a complaint, he said, the complainant's name is covered by the Freedom of Information Act and isn't released. The timeline of the complaint and how quickly it's resolved, he said, depends on how compliant the alleged offender is, as well as the type of complaint. A property standard complaint, which deals with larger property issues such as structural damage to the house or unlicensed vehicles on the property, could take over two months from when the complaint is filed until it is settled and that's if the issue isn't appealed, Brockelbank said. The other type of complaint deals with the municipality's Clean Yards bylaw, which is governed through the Municipal Act. Those complaints are less severe in nature, he said, and often deal with a neighbour leaving bags of garbage outside the house, or letting his grass to grow above the eight -inch height allowed in the bylaw. Those complaints can be issued and the homeowner then has 96 hours to comply before action is taken. Brockelbank might have the grass cut or the trash hauled away with the costs being billed back to the homeowner on his tax bill. Brockelbank told councillors that he felt the system worked for the most part, but when it came to repeat offenders and the time he is directed to spend in the municipality, he admitted that improvements could be made. Under direction from Huron East, Brockelbank only spends a handful of hours in the municipality each week. In addition, he also does similar work for three other Huron County municipalities. He also said that under the municipality's current bylaw, there is no mechanism through which he is authorized to follow up on offenders to ensure they've continued to comply with his order after the issue is first remedied. Brockelbank ensures that his first order has been followed. If a repeat offender has relapsed and is no longer in compliance three weeks later, there isn't a procedure through which Brockelbank can take action. A resident must file a new complaint and the process would simply start again from scratch. Councillors felt that was a definite blind spot in the bylaw, saying there should be some sort of a follow-up process to ensure that ordinances were being complied with for up to 12 months after the initial order was made and remedied. Brockelbank said he could do that, but he's not currently allowed to. The bylaw would have to be changed to reflect that procedure and then he could follow it. Councillor Kevin Wilbee, who is a lawyer by trade, said that however council chose to proceed, the municipality must consistent. If a follow-up became part of the Continued on page 7 DREAM HOME OF THE MONTH PLAN NUMBER 1-3-667 PLENTY OF ROOM FOR GROWTH With its three -vehicle garage and optional unfinished basement, this appealing three-bedroom home features plenty of room for future growth. The front entry is sheltered by a covered verandah with a lofty 11 -foot ceiling, which continues into the foyer and great room. Directly ahead is the great room, where French doors open on to a covered deck, also with an 11 -foot ceiling, overlooking the back garden. The gas fireplace is flanked by built-in shelving. Separated from the great room by a work island and four -seat eating bar are the dining area and kitchen, with nine -foot ceilings. The dining area enjoys large windows that look out to the sundeck, an extension of the covered deck. 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