Property Standards Questioned

A Fort Frances councillor feels some businesses are being unfairly targeted by the town's enforcement of its property standards by-law.

Ken Perry told council last night five west end property owners received letters he says suggest they install tall fences or trees around their properties.

Perry questioned the motives behind the letters.

"Why did we send five property owners letters when we have 40 plus properties in that area and one of them conforms to anything close to what the by-law says?," said Perry. "and we're asking five of these people to put up a fence."

Perry admitted there is a need for improvement in the area, but doubts any of the owners receiving letters will comply.

Mayor Roy Avis says a review of the by-law maybe in order, but the town needs to take steps to improve the community.

"I think that the direction that's gone to administration is that we want to see this community cleaned up," says Avis., "We want to see them fight blight. We want to see a better community for us to live in and make it acceptable to people who drive in the community. We have the best cemeteries in the area, but we have detractions in other areas."

But the town's Chief Building Officer says the town has no plans to force property owners in the west end to erect fences or trees around their property.

Rick Hallam says the letters issued to property owners simply asked them to make an effort to tidy up their properties.

Hallam says owners were informed of an option of erecting a fence or trees as a buffer, but there was no direct order issued for them to move in that direction.

He adds the town recently revised its property maintenance and occupancy standards by-law this past March.