SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — City council has had enough with an unsightly premise in Summerside.
"It's an absolute disgrace," said Mayor Basil Stewart.
The property at 405 Chestnut Ave. was discussed during the city's committee meeting, held recently via video conference. A recommendation was made to permit a city inspector to enter the property and enforce measures necessary for it to comply with the dangerous, hazardous and unsightly premises bylaw.
CAO Rob Philpott said the recommendation will be discussed at council's next regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19.
"If the resolution is approved at that meeting, then that gives us the legal authority to move on this particular issue."
Summerside Police Services has been receiving complaints for the past several months regarding the property and has deemed it an unsightly premise.
It is described as having large amounts of garbage and litter laying around outdoors. The pictures provided show the property's backyard to be cluttered and disorganized, with lots of equipment laying around.
Dave Poirier, Summerside's chief of police, said negotiations with the property's occupant to straighten things up have proven unsuccessful.
"We've been after the occupant now since October, I believe," he said.
In an April 25 letter, police advised the owner to clean up the property within seven days, which has since expired and was not adhered to.
If resolved, the estimated cost to clean the property would be about $600-$700, which the city would cover initially, but the occupant would be required to pay back.
The occupant was advised the issue was going to council, thus buying more time to potentially clean the premise, Poirier said.
Coun. Cory Snow said looking at the pictures of the property makes it clear why neighbours would be concerned.
"It's very important that we start taking an aggressive stance on these," he said.
Coun. Justin Doiron also requested council followup on other premises, which have recently been deemed unsightly, to see where those files currently are.
