HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-12-025 - Amendment to Municipal Code Chapter 711 (Open Air Burning)1
Staff Re,~ort
KIT(;x~l\`~.R tammunity Services Department www.kitthenerca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: February 27, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services
Department, 519-741-2325
PREPARED BY: Shayne Turner, Director of By-law Enforcement, 519-741-
2753
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: February 21, 2012
REPORT NO.: CSD-12-025
SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 711 (OPEN AIR BURNING)
RECOMMENDATION:
That a by-law be enacted to amend Chapter 711 (Open Air Burning) of the City of
Kitchener Municipal Code with respect to prohibiting open air burning during periods
when a fire ban is in effect, as outlined in Report No. CSD-12-025.
BACKGROUND:
Chapter 711 (Open Air Burning) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code regulates open burning
for a variety of reasons, including the use of backyard recreational fireplaces and firepits.
REPORT:
The weather during the summer of 2011 resulted in very dry conditions for extended periods of
time. These dry conditions caused the City's Fire Chief to declare a ban on all open air burning
on July 18t", which lasted for 15 days. The Chief's authority to declare such a ban is pursuant to
the Fire Prevention and Protection Act. This ban was the first one called since the enactment of
Chapter 711 in 2006 and the impact was not contemplated when Chapter 711 was initially
drafted.
Chapter 711's rules around conducting fires were not useful during the ban because no fires at
all were permitted. Enforcement of the ban fell to designated Fire Department staff able to
administer and enforce the provisions of the Fire Prevention and Protection Act.
Staff is proposing a minor amendment to Chapter 711 to include a prohibition on outdoor
burning during times when the Fire Chief has declared a ban on fires. This essentially allows for
enforcement of the Fire Chief's ban through our by-law and by our by-law enforcement staff.
Giving by-law enforcement staff authority to respond to nuisance fires when a ban is in place
frees up Fire Department staff for emergency responses to uncontrolled fires. This is
particularly important during a fire ban period when conditions are such that uncontrolled fires
may spread faster.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The aforementioned amendments support the Community Priority of Quality of Life, as
contained in the City's Strategic Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The proposed amendment to Chapter 711 is housekeeping in nature and does not require a
level of community engagement. Nonetheless, the provisions of the Chapter are routinely
communicated to the public through a variety of public education initiatives.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services Department
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