Belleville Councillor Paul Carr checks his notes at the Planning Committee meeting, February 6, 2017. (Photo:f Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Belleville may soon take a first step in a bid to regulate “payday loan” establishments in the city.
Councillor Paul Carr asked the Planning committee to separate such businesses by five kilometres.
He said the city has five, four of them on Front Street and they are a “predatory” business.
Director of Engineering Rod Bovay said the Municipal Act and the Planning Act do not cover the issue of separation of business.
If the rule was challenged it might hinge on whether or not it was “reasonable”.
Bovay said the five kilometres might not be considered “reasonable”.
He said, “It’s best to get a legal opinion.”
The planning committee decided to recommend that city council adopt a bylaw to regulate the payday loan sites and get a legal opinion on the maximum separation distance between such establishments.
Late last year, Carr called for a staff report on licensing.
Carr said some have interest rates between 20% and 70%.
A driveway issue
Belleville Director of Engineering Rod Bovay speaks at the Planning Committee meeting, while Special Projects Manager and Planning Manager Art MacKay look on, February 6, 2017. (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
A Belleville councillor says buyers in new subdivisions should be told that in the future a sidewalk could cut short their driveway.
Councillor Paul Carr told the city’s planning committee last night that he hears complaints from people who have two cars and park them in the driveway, but if a sidewalk is installed later there is not enough length for the second car.
Director of Engineering Rod Bovay explained the driveway length has been getting shorter, and people can check the subdivision information before buying to find out where the sidewalk will be installed.
