Bylaw cracks down on derelict buildings

The City of Winnipeg is ramping up its efforts to eliminate hundreds of vacant and derelict buildings.

It unveiled on Monday a proposed bylaw that gives the city more power to deal with the problem of buildings that are sitting empty, boarded up or are extremely run down.

A motion for the bylaw will be presented to the city's Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development on Wednesday. If approved, it will be forwarded to the Executive Policy Committee and then on to council for a final vote later this month.

"I am pleased we are taking this critical neighbourhood liveability issue very seriously and have developed a strategy to combat the problem," Mayor Sam Katz said as he unveiled the bylaw's nine-point strategy Monday while standing in front of a derelict house at 1048 Redwood Avenue.

"I am very supportive of the need to get tough with property owners who are not complying with city bylaws to increase safety and eliminate unsightly buildings that are an eyesore in the community."

Some of the highlights include:

• More frequent inspections of vacant and rundown buildings.
• New and increased fines and fees.
• A more aggressive approach to prosecutions.
• A quicker process for the city to take the property title from the owner without compensation.

  'The changes we are proposing are extensive.' Clive Wightman, director of community services

The bylaw would also enable enforcement officials to issue "no occupancy" orders if a vacant building is not fit for human occupation; Issue a $1,000 penalty if the owner fails to take out a permit prior to boarding up a property; Reduce the maximum time a vacant building can be boarded up to one year (rather than three, six-month permits within a five-year period).

"The changes we are proposing are extensive and it makes sense to recommend a completely new bylaw than try to amend the existing bylaw," said Clive Wightman, director of community services.

As of June 4, the city had identified 614 vacant buildings. Of those, 476 are classified as residential (single-family dwellings or duplexes) while 138 are classified as commercial (retail, industrial, apartment blocks and multi-family dwellings).