Town plans to get tough

The town wants to get tough with unsightly properties in Osoyoos.
The issue of unsightly premises has been on the town's agenda for some time, and has generated discussion both in council and among town staff.
A recent report by Town of Osoyoos chief administrative officer Elsie Lemke outlined procedural problems with current policy towards unsightly premises, as well as recommending tougher bylaws to deal with the issue.
Though unsightly properties consume a lot of staff time each year, this past year it seemed to be excessive, Lemke said.
The main problems with current procedures were a confusing division of responsibilities between departments, as well as much argument and debate taking up staff time.
Lemke added people tended to wait to hear from the town, usually by letter before dealing with an untidy lot. She added the inspections themselves were not timely, nor is the process clear. And she pointed to the sheer number of complaints the town received as part of the problem.
But she also outlined possible solutions to streamline the process and curb messy lots in Osoyoos.
She said it would make sense to hand over the entire process to Public Works once a complaint had been registered. Accounting would still be handled by the finance department, but all other aspects of the process would be Public Works' responsibility.
She also recommended reinstating Monday inspections, followed by second inspections on Friday.
This provides certainty for the bylaw enforcement officer for inspection, and also for Public Works to schedule dates for lot cleaning, she said.
Another change would be to amend the existing bylaw so violators would be fined immediately upon an inspection that revealed a bylaw infraction. They would be charged $400, with an additional fine of $100 if they didn't clean up the property within seven or fourteen days. Second and third offences in a calendar year would get charged $200 and $500 respectively. But the town would also only permit complaints where the complainant was directly impacted, and within 30 metres of the subject property.
The town would also send out letters in early 2005, telling those who received unsightly premises notices in 2004 about the new bylaws and procedures, as well as providing a list of businesses that provide yard clean up.