by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative
Between January to the end of June 2024, staff members in the Town of Essex By-Law Department were made aware of 316 potential by-law violations, which were investigated at residential, commercial, and agricultural properties.
A report on the matter was presented to Essex Council at the August 12 meeting, which Council received.
“The By-Law Team remains uniform in its enforcement process from the beginning stage of voluntary compliance, to issuing notices of violation, and in cases of continued non-compliance, serving owners with municipal work orders and/or Provincial Offences Act charges,” Mike Diemer, By-Law/Property Standards Officer, told Council.
The vast majority of the complaints were in regards to property standards, with 185 requests for investigation. The main offences consist of tall grass/weeds and exterior property debris.
Of the 316 potential violations, 142 were based on complaints received from members of the public and/or Council members. The additional 174 issues were investigated proactively.
Of the potential issues, 298 have been resolved and 18 remain actively investigated, the Report to Council notes.
The Report also highlights that during the first six-months of the year, 49 investigations have been launched into Short-Term Rental (STR) violations, of which 26 have become voluntarily compliant, while 23 administrative penalties have been issued.
Councillor Rodney Hammond asked of the 23 administrative penalties issued to STR owners, if any were repetitive, such as at the same property. Diemer noted most of the administrative penalties were for operating or advertising without a license. He added that there were a few properties that received a few administrative penalties.
Councillor Joe Garon was surprised to learn the majority of submissions of complaints came via phone, at 68, and that 41 came through the “Report a Problem” online tool. He asked why they were being reported more by phone.
CAO Doug Sweet noted that though via phone is high for residents issuing complaints for possible By-Law-related concerns, in general, “Report a Problem” is high for other items also.
When speaking to residents, Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais finds one resident calls the By-Law Department on one issue multiple times, where they may only issue one complaint if filing online. She asked if the By-Law Department noticed the same.
Diemer noted if multiple calls are made for one issue, the stats presented represent how they were received the first time.
If the Town receives several phone calls, resolving the issue may be in the works. Not everything can be resolved in a day or two. Sometimes, a resident may call multiple times in the same day, sometimes by multiple individuals, Diemer explained when McGuire-Blais further pressed the issue on how the Town responds.
Councillor Jason Matyi liked to see the STR enforcement is gearing up. He also liked seeing the resident-driven complaints and proactive investigation numbers were somewhat similar.
Chief By-Law Official, Kevin Carter, pointed out the By-Law team is up 251% on being proactive. Having the permanent, part-time By-Law Officers have helped the Town immensely, he said.
Residents are urged to use the online “Report a Problem” tool to inform Town staff of municipal-related issues.