Residents call for pest bylaw
By GILLIAN SLADE on July 19, 2019.
NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE Miranda Broadist sits in her kitchen particularly fearful of being outside in her yard in the evening and early morning when bat activity is highest. News of a Vancouver man dying this week, after making contact with a bat, has increased her fears.
UPDATE: At about 9:30 a.m. Friday, Medicine Hat Police Service issued the following:
Unsightly Property Order
July 19th, 2019 9:40 am
On July 18, 2019 the Medicine Hat Police Service Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section, in collaboration with; Alberta Health Services, Medicine Hat Fire Services and the City of Medicine Hat Safety Codes Departments, completed an inspection of a residence located on Dominion Street SE. The inspection was to determine what actions could remedy the neighbouring concerns about a vacant property infested with bats. It was determined by all, including the City Solicitor, that an Unsightly Property Order should be issued due the appearance of the property and the fact that the property had become detrimental to the surrounding area.
The Unsightly Property Order under Section 546 (1) of the Municipal Government Act instructs the property owners to:
“CUT, REMOVE AND CONTROL ALL WEEDS ON THE PROPERTY INCLUDING THE BIND WEED ALONG THE EAST FENCE LINE. REMOVE ALL DEAD TREES AND BRANCHES AND CUT THE GRASS. REMOVE THE UNOPERABLE, UNREGISTERED VEHICLE ALONG WITH ANY GARBAGE OR REFUSE. ALSO, YOU MUST TAKE REASONBLE MEASURES TO CONTROL THE PEST INFESTATION ON THE PROPERTY, SPECIFICALLY BATS AS THEY ARE BECOMING DETRIMETAL TO SURROUNDING AREAS AND A DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY “
The actions in the Order must be carried out by August 21, 2019. The property owner may appeal the Order within 14 days.
Although this is not a common type of unsightly property file, it was evident that the vacant property was causing concerns for some neighbours. There was an excessive amount of bat feces on the property and it was spreading to other surrounding homes occupied by families. It was determined that the constant need to clean the bat feces, along with the lack of freedom to enjoy their yard in the evenings, was detrimental to the neighboring properties.
Bylaw Officers will inspect the property on/after August 21, 2019 to determine if further action if necessary.
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gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
A local resident says it is time for the city to put a bylaw in place to address pests in buildings.
Miranda and Matt Broadist live with their family in a home on Dominion Street. The house next door, 1118 Dominion Street, has been vacant for years and now the attic is home to a colony of bats.
Supt. Heather Trail says there is no bylaw that specifically addresses pests or wildlife in a property.
“We’ve got to do something about this because 20 years derelict does not give it more rights,” said Miranda. “Bats, there’s got to be a provision for that.”
She wants to see boundaries for property owners when buildings and houses are left vacant for years. The property may be uninhabitable and so can’t be rented out. It may cost too much to have it demolished so it simply sits there and potentially attracts creatures like bats.
“If there’s health and safety risks the city should be able to intervene regardless,” said Miranda.
There are so many bats now the Broadists say they can no longer sit outside in their own yard after dusk. In the morning they must wipe down all surfaces that have bat excrement on them before their daughter can enjoy the yard. See Medicine Hat News Facebook for a video of bat activity there.
Miranda says she is constantly trying to keep her large dog indoors for fear of a bat potentially biting the dog and giving it rabies. There are times they see the bats perched on their vehicle in the driveway.
News that a man in Vancouver died this week from rabies, after having had contact with a bat on Vancouver Island six-weeks ago, has made them particularly aware of the risk.
Although the owners of the house with bats live nearby, Miranda notes that other property owners may not even live in the city or province. They may have no idea of the impact of their building on the local community. They also may not always understand the issue and so do not take action.
Vacant property, in the long term, can drag the neighbourhood down. It can invite vandalism, encourage squatters, said Miranda.
She notes there was a property on the corner near her home that had become a home for squatters. It has since been purchased and demolished.
Bylaw has been working to address the situation at 1118 Dominion Street. Bylaw Supt. Heather Trail arranged for a number of agencies, including Alberta Health Services, fire services, safety code officers, to meet on site Thursday morning.
“There were lots of people who came to look. I would say at least seven different people….” said Miranda.
Trail told the News on Thursday she was not ready to comment on how the situation was being handled but that she was hopeful.
City councillors contacted for comment about whether another bylaw was required did not respond on Thursday.
The first story about 1118 Dominion Street appeared in Medicine Hat News on Thursday.
