Penticton will have to wait a bit longer for a “Good Neighbour” bylaw after the introduction of the law was removed from the agenda of city council’s Monday meeting at the last minute.
The concept of a comprehensive bylaw to deal with derelict buildings and abandoned properties was first brought before council in April as the City of Penticton responded to long-term concerns from residents of the community.
“We want to make sure it’s right. There are a couple of issues we want to look at and we will be bringing it back before council asap,” said Mayor Dan Ashton, who wouldn’t specify what those issues were with the 38-page report and bylaw from city staff.
“We watched a community to the north of us bring something forward so we just want to make sure that we have everything that is appropriate for Penticton in there,” said Ashton. “We share a lot of these bylaws intra-municipally and it is always best to test them. When other communities have issues, you go back and have a look at your bylaw.”
Ashton said removing the bylaw from public discussion now would make it easier to make changes, which would be harder to do if it was given the first three readings requested.
“It was my recommendation to bring it forward at a later date, possibly the next council meeting,” said city manager Annette Antoniak. “More work needs to be done. It was picked up late.”
“It will come forward for discussion, but we want to make sure that before it comes into council chambers that everything is right,” said Ashton. “We are just being cautious.”