Ponoka town council passed first reading of a new bylaw that will target derelict residential properties during their regular meeting on Oct. 22.
The proposed Residential Assessment Sub-Class bylaw would allow the town to set a higher tax rate for properties it deems neglected, abandoned or uninhabitable.
Under the The Municipal Government Act, municipalities can create sub classes of residential properties, by bylaw, on any basis they consider appropriate, the meeting agenda states. Municipalities can then set various tax rates for the sub classes.
Administration presented the steps that would need to be taken before the bylaw could be implemented.
First, the town would need to ensure the Community Standards Bylaw clearly identifies the criteria and definition of a 'derelict' property.
Second, the town would to inform the public about the bylaw's intent and implications.
Then an assessment of all residential properties in town would need to be completed to identify all those that could be potentially identified as a derelict property.
The town would then inform and consult with property owners about how to remedy the issues with the property, giving them a "fair and equitable" timeline to comply.
Should the issues not be corrected in the given timeline, the town would inform the property owner that their property would be assessed as a derelict property for the following taxation year.
How much higher the tax rate for derelict properties would be has not been determined yet.
"If council approves three readings of the Residential Assessment Sub-Class Bylaw and decides to pursue a different tax rate for derelict properties, that tax rate will be set by council in the 2025 Property Tax Rate Bylaw in the spring of 2025," said town communications manager Sandra Smith.
The town offers a Major Home Renovation Incentive Program for property owners that complete major renovations.
"Like all Town of Ponoka residents, derelict property owners would have the opportunity to qualify for this incentive," said Smith.
Administration noted while benefits of the proposed bylaw would include possibly encouraging the restoration or redevelopment of neglected home, leading to increased property values for the surrounding area and potentially reducing public safety concerns, that increased taxation of derelict properties may also result in an increase in unpaid accounts.
Under the proposed bylaw, 'derelict property' would be defined as a building or land that has been abandoned, neglected, is in a state of significant disrepair, and deteriorated to the point where it is no longer habitable or usable.
Signs that a property may be derelict include structural damage (cracks in walls, sagging roofs, or collapsed sections), broken or boarded windows, graffiti or vandalism, accumulation of debris, unsafe or unstable conditions such as visible hazards, and having no utilities or services.
Bad odours, pest infestations and lack of occupancy are also reasons a property could be deemed as derelict under the proposed bylaw.
The proposed bylaw is being brought back to council for second and third reading on Nov. 12.
River Valley safety
Council received a report from the department of Planning and Infrastructure about the work done along the Battle River trail system to improve safety for all trail users and wildlife.
At the Sept. 10 meeting, council directed administration to assess the need for thinning vegetation along the trail.
The assessment suggested managing plant growth to improve visibility and reduce fire hazards.
Council heard sight lines were improved near bridges and major pedestrian access points.
Multiple dense vegetation areas along pedestrian paths were identified and will have thinning completed throughout November and December.
