Plante said residents reported that the current system felt “circular and reactive.” “They call bylaw. They’re referred elsewhere. They call police. They’re told it’s a civil matter. Meanwhile, damage is already done. The report is about addressing these enforcement gaps,” she said. Another major issue is the lack of meaningful enforcement for conditions set by the committee of adjustment, Plante said. Residents participate in consultations in good faith and conditions such as landscaping, setbacks and privacy measures are approved. “And then, too often, those conditions
are ignored without consequence,” Plante said. “This undermines confidence not just in the project, but in our planning system.” One problem is that numbered companies are hard to reach, Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley said. He suggested that the city explore require a bond attached to a project under an insurance company, or for a risk assessment of builders who have caused damage in the past, subjecting them to high levels of scrutiny during the construction process. Jason Burggraaf, executive director of the Greater Ottawa
Home Builders’ Association, agreed that development conditions should always be fulfilled.
Ottawa, property encroachment, bylaw enforcement, committee of adjustment, planning system, landscaping, setbacks, privacy measures, Kanata South, Allan Hubley, numbered companies, bond requirement, home builders
So basically people keep getting told “call someone else” while their yard gets wrecked? Cool cool.
If they ignore landscaping/setbacks then why even have rules. I’m not sure what a “committee of adjustment” is but sounds like the city just shrugs and moves on until it’s a mess. Maybe the fines should start immediately.
Wait numbered companies are hard to reach, so what, the city can’t find the developer at all? That seems like a scam loophole. Also aren’t bonds only for when buildings are already damaged? Like how does that stop the first time they mess up privacy or setbacks?
This sounds like one of those Ottawa things where they “study” it for years and meanwhile neighbors are dealing with damage. The article says “civil matter” which is such a cop-out, like police should show up for everything then? And Kanata South already has enough construction chaos… bonds or risk assessments, sure, but will anyone actually enforce it or just talk about it again?