Summerside city council tabled a motion to take a stance against two of its derelict buildings - namely the former Holland College building.
Coun. Cory Snow spoke out on what he called "huge commercial eyesores" during Summerside's monthly council meeting on May 19, held via livestream. The other building referenced was the former Summer Street Barz.
Snow moved to give the owners of both buildings 30 days of notice to have them cleaned up, otherwise the city would enter the properties and deal with it.
"This could very well mean demolishing both properties," he said.
"I believe we are well within our rights to give this notice."
The derelict buildings have been owned by the same people for many years. There have been no improvements made despite multiple meetings with the owners, Snow said.
"Nothing is being done," he said.
"We, as the city, are looking like fools."
Coun. Greg Campbell drew the comparison of another resolution made that night to have a residential property in Summerside cleaned up under the dangerous, hazardous and unsightly premises bylaw - which Snow believes could be applied to the derelict buildings.
"It's hard to be tough on (some) then let the other ones go," Campbell said.
Since the motion wasn't a part of the meeting's official agenda, some councillors said they felt "caught off guard" to consider supporting it that night.
Coun. Bruce MacDougall said it would be premature to make a motion right away, while acknowledging that the issue has been on their radar for quite some time.
"I'm not saying I won't support it, but I can't support it tonight," he said.
BACKGROUND:
- The former Holland College building, located on a 14-acre property along Granville Street, has been owned by a private developer for 12 years.
- Vandalism and squatting have been an issue in the past. A fence was erected around the building - however, that didn't stop someone from getting into the building in Aug. 2019 and starting a fire, to which Summerside firefighters responded.
- Tim Banks, the property's owner, is currently working on a major housing development in the Charlottetown area.
Coun. Carrie Adams figured it'd be best to meet with the owners before this motion moves forward. However, she agreed that if council is taking action on another unsightly premise across the city then the owners of the derelict buildings should be treated similarly.
"If you're going to do business in our community, you need to respect your neighbours."
Most councillors agreed it was time to move forward, but not immediately. Snow remained firm in wanting to take action rather than push it off any longer.
"I don't see what another meeting is going to do," he said.
"The current steps are not working. We need to start taking a strong stance."
Mayor Basil Stewart suggested tabling the motion until council's June meeting so that there's time for discussion amongst themselves and with the owners - the decision was approved. This is an action that council doesn't take often but will hopefully ensure the issue isn't ignored much longer, he said.
Daniel Brown is a local journalism initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government.
