(Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

NB council

City clamps down on properties in severe disrepair

Apr 22, 2024 | 10:15 PM

The City of North Battleford turned its eye to properties in significant disrepair at its meeting Monday night.

The city took issue with a specific property located at the 700 block of 110 Street that was cited to have a missing front door and windows. The wiring was also unsafe and not up to code. The front door was boarded up, so the tenant used the back door for entry.

Property owner and landlord Joe Ferrato made an appeal and asked for an extension to do renovations, as the city previously presented him with an order for demolition.

Ferrato was also concerned it might cost more to make the extensive repairs required than the property would be worth, if he tried re-selling it later.

After much discussion, city council voted to have a roughly one month extension for the demolition order, adding that the tenant will need to be removed for health and safety issues at the property. The city will also inform the tenant of the situation, so the person can make other arrangements to relocate.

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The city will also enquire about options for legal recourse to determine if it could find a way to have the property owner responsible for the cost of the demolition instead of the city, if the owner doesn’t want to cover the cost.

“I am concerned the taxpayers are going to become responsible for this, and possibly many other properties of his that could be a problem,” Coun. Greg Lightfoot said. “I don’t think that’s something the taxpayers should be responsible for. I want more information so we can look at all options here.”

Following council, Mayor David Gillan said the problem with these types of derelict properties is actually a much more fundamental issue in the city that needs to be addressed.

“These are very complex matters,” he said following the meeting. “When you’re talking about a private property. We the city, we don’t do this often. We don’t chase people around all the time. But when properties get in such bad condition, we have to get involved. We have to get involved for the safety of the people that are renting in these buildings, but also looking after the neighbourhoods.

“Unfortunately these are the things that council has to deal with sometimes,” Gillan added. “I don’t want to comment on this specific case, because that’s not really fair. That’s between the city and that particular owner.

He said he doesn’t want to belabor the matter involving one particular property.

But he noted the philosophy behind the issue is signficant.

“If a property gets to a state in the city where it’s not really habitable, we’re going to get involved,” the mayor said. “That is the bottom line. So, unfortunately these are difficult discussions. But we don’t shy away from it, because I think the majority of the people here support the fact we can’t continuously let certain properties go into such a condition that it’s not safe to be inhabited. So we just have to do something.”

The city added a property in severe disrepair and unsafe is also a concern for Emergency Services personnel if they need to enter the site responding to any issue.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @battlefordsnow