Belleville Councillor Paul Carr speaking at city council budget meeting, April 11, 2017 (Photo:: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Two items were in front of Belleville city council Tuesday dealing with the condition of properties in the city, one went forward, one did not.
On the first day of a three-day budget debate council had before it a report on the creation and implementation of a Vacant Buildings Registry.
The report from Chief Building Officer Ted Marecak referred to such a registry in the city of Hamilton.
He said it would be “a significant undertaking and demand additional resources” in staff and software.
All vacant buildings would be registered, owners would have to inspect every two weeks and city staff inspect every three months.
A list of 13 vacant buildings was before council, including the former Intelligencer building , the Trudeau Motors building, and the former Chinese restaurant on North Front Street.
Councillor Paul Carr called for a registry to ensure such properties are properly cared for.
He said people coming to the city from other areas notice this.
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Councillor Jack Miller called it “punitive.”
He said the city had already removed tax rebates on vacant buildings.
Carr’s motion went down to defeat on a tie vote with Councillor Kelly McCaw absent.
In the end, Carr said he was encouraged by the fact the city has decided to take a proactive bylaw enforcement stand which doesn’t require a complaint.
Council also approved increasing a part-time bylaw officer to full-time.
The list of currently (April 11, 2017) known vacant buildings in Belleville includes:
40 Wilson avenue, SMB School – Leland Drive, Stevenson Adams building – Keegan Parkway, Trudeau Motors buildings – Station Street, Everlast Plastic – 107 South John street, Bella Flint – Coleman Street, Bakelite Building – Highway 2, Firehalls – Dundas East and Point Anne, Prime Time Steak House – North Front street, 454 Bridge Street East, former Bardon building Wallbridge Crescent, 217 North Front Street – former Chinese restaurant, 397-399 Front Street former Bohemin Penguin
