Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-012-11Cj~'jp REPORT CLERK'S DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: May 9, 2011 Resolution#: GPI 3io3'// By-law#: Report: CLD-012-11 File: Subject: PROPERTY STANDARD INVESTIGATIONS -RICHARD WARD RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: THAT Report CLD-012-11 be received for information. Submitted by: PLB/LC Reviewed by: ~ " '^-""~-' `<- Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 REPORT NO.: CLD-012-11 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND AND COMMENT Council has requested staff to comment on a series of ongoing issues involving Richard Ward, the owner of property located at 3709 Regional Road 9, Orono. Since 1991 staff have investigated four separate complaints of property standards violations on this property. On two occasions Mr. Ward was able to perform minimal work to bring the property into compliance. In 2001 and again in 2009 staff retained the services of a contractor to clean up the property when Mr. Ward failed to comply with the Property Standards Orders. 2.0 2001 ORDER The 2001 Order involved large amounts of general debris and some vehicles which had been left in an abandoned state on the property. The total bill for that cleanup was $3940.29, which included the services of two paid duty officers from Durham Regional Police and a tow truck. This incident also involved several appearances before Council and the GPA Committee by Mr. Ward as well as an appeal to Superior Court as Mr. Ward was attempting to stop the investigation and progress of the Order. 3.0 2009 ORDER By May 2008 staff were again receiving complaints concerning the condition of the Ward property. Inspection of the site revealed that the property again contained significant amounts of rubbish and debris, a collapsing barn and several dilapidated, inoperative and decaying automobiles. Once again an Order was issued requiring Ward to clean up the property. As he had done in the past, Mr. Ward appealed the Order, on the grounds that it was vexatious and frivolous. He complained that this was part of an ongoing larger scheme against him on the part of the Municipality, the Region and certain individuals whom Ward claims had stolen goods and services from the Region. REPORT NO.: CLD-012-11 PAGE 3 In May 2009 staff enforced the Order and cleaned the property. Along with the removal of debris from the site, several of Ward's derelict vehicles were removed. The total bill for the cleanup was $14,988.07, which included the services of paid duty Durham Regional Police officers. Mr. Ward appeared before the GPA Committee on May 25,2009 and asked that his vehicles be returned to him and the associated costs waived. This was initially endorsed by some members of Council, however, the motion was tabled and referred to the Solicitor for his comment. On July 2, 2009 Mr. Ward was advised that the fees would not be waived, however, he could attend at the tow compound and pay to have his vehicles returned to him. He was advised that if he returned the vehicles to his property he would again be in violation of the Property Standards By-law. 4.0 CONCLUSION The Property Standards By-law establishes minimum standards for all properties within the municipality and is enforced upon receipt of a written complaint. The measures taken in addressing Mr. Ward's property were in accordance with municipal practice. It is respectfully recommended that this report be received for information.