The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine is finally issuing fines after a year and a half of complaints from Thornhill residents about an unsightly property located at 4634 Lowrie Ave. The property owner has yet to take action to resolve the issue despite repeated attempts on behalf of the regional district.
The property, registered to Thomas Wade, has been the subject of a series of complaints, according to a staff report presented at a regional district board meeting on May 26, 2023.
The regional district received the first written complaint about the property in February 2022, one that was quickly followed by three more. Photographic evidence of the site’s condition was documented on March 10, 2022 by the regional district.
Despite a formal letter sent to Wade on April 13, 2022 instructing him to rectify the property within 28 days, there was no response and no improvement observed. The situation continued to decline, with an additional travel trailer placed on the property.
After repeated unheeded notifications, two fines of $125 were issued on May 10, 2023, for violations of the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine’s Electoral Areas C and E Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 373, 1995.
The regional distinct board subsequently recommended that bylaw enforcement officer Kiera Tak instruct the owner and occupiers of the property to clean up within 14 days. Failure to comply with the order could result in the regional district having the property cleaned up at Wade’s expense, with the costs added to his future tax bills.
According to the regional district, the property is in violation of several regulations, including those related to unsightly premises, nuisance creation and zoning laws that prohibit commercial and industrial uses such as auto repair and wrecking in residential areas.
The surrounding neighbourhood, primarily residential in character, contrasts starkly with the state of Wade’s property. The staff report noted, “The current physical state of the subject property is unacceptable to any reasonable person.”
Despite potential financial implications for the regional district of paying for the cleanup itself, the board voted to take the necessary actions to resolve the issue.
Under local bylaws, penalties for first and subsequent offences can range from $100 to $2000.
Meanwhile, local residents have also taken their concerns to Skeena MLA Ellis Ross’s office.
Gina Versteege, who works in Ross’s office as a constituency assistant, said that the ordeal has gone on for far too long, but the MLA’s hands are tied.
“What we’ve done is ask the regional district, as per the Unsightly Premises Bylaw, to look into this issue on their behalf and that’s what we’ve done,” Versteege said. “We don’t have any other avenues to explore other than to say to the regional district that the property owner is in contravention of his act.”
Versteege said that the delay in the response from the regional district — over a year and a half now — is likely related to staffing shortages.
“In one of their emails to me, they said they were understaffed and didn’t have time to look at everything,” Versteege said. “I think it was staff related.”
When asked about the proposed resolution to the issue, Versteege said that they’re hoping for one in a timely manager, considering the amount of time that has elapsed since it was first brought to their and the regional district’s attention.
Versteege also noted that another property in Thornhill was also subject to complaints to Ross’s office, leading the property owner, who was in violation of the Unsightly Premises Bylaw, to sell it before the regional district did the clean-up itself.
“He decided he was just going to up and sell his property before the city moved in to remove all of the junk that he had piled around this place, so the new owner was responsible for removing it and they did,” Versteege said. “The regional district had already issued that notice to say you have to clean this up or we’re coming in and doing it for you and we’re going to charge you against your taxes.”
“He was so upset with everything that he said that said I’m going to sell my property and he did and he sold it for a song and a dance, so that took a lot of time as well for the regional district to act on it,” Versteege said. “I know that it definitely delayed, something that’s occurred with both cases of unsightly property within the regional district.”
Versteege said that, while Ross’s office had reached out to the regional district and did the work to get the complaints dealt with, it’s all in the hands of the regional district. “All I can do is suggest on behalf of the constituents that they bring this fellow into compliance as per their application.”
When asked about whether Ross will advocate for legislative action to improve the enforcement action and speed up removals of garbage on unsightly properties across the province, Vertsteege said she hadn’t discussed it with him yet.
“I haven’t discussed that with, but it’s something that should be looked at,” Versteege said. “I’ll be in consultation with Ellis about it.”
A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from the property owner, told The Terrace Standard about the worsening conditions on Wade’s property, including the accumulation of unused vehicles, improper disposal of waste leading to environmental hazards and the alleged intimidation of neighbouring residents.
The resident alleges that the property owner has been flooding his yard and those of others by pumping water onto their driveways, which, when mixed with oil and other hazardous materials, freezes over the winter, creating a hazardous icy cover.
The resident stated that they feel ignored by the regional district: “It feels like I’m talking to dead air over there. And I have been for a year and a half.”
They also pointed out at least three other properties in a similar state that the regional district has failed to address.
Many nearby elderly residents are afraid to voice their concerns for fear of becoming targets, the resident added.
The Terrace Standard has reached out to Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine Thornhill representative Ted Ramsey, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Viktor Elias joined the Terrace Standard in April 2023.
Tips or story ideas? (250) 638-7283 ext. 5411 or viktor.elias@terracestandard.com.
Like the Terrace Standard on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.