HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-06-059 - Amendment to Chapter 665 (Property Standards) - Swimming Pool Maintenancel
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Corporate Services
REPORT
Report To: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
Date of Meeting: April 10, 2006
Submitted By: Mike Grummett, Interim General Manager of Corporate
Services
Prepared By: Shayne Turner, Director of By-law Enforcement
Ward(s) Involved: All
Date of Report: April 5, 2006
Report No.: CRPS-06-059
Subject: AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 665 (PROPERTY
STANDARDS) -SWIMMING POOL MAINTENANCE
RECOMMENDATION:
That a by-law be enacted to amend Chapter 665 (Property Standards) of the City of Kitchener
Municipal Code to require unused or abandoned swimming pools to be drained and kept clear
of stagnant water and/or be filled in as required.
BACKGROUND:
By-law Enforcement staff have noticed an increase in the number of concerns relating to
privately owned swimming pools that remain unused for long periods of time and the problems
associated with the degree of inactivity. These problems include stagnant water, which can
cause mosquito breeding grounds as well as creating a malodorous condition and the possible
attraction of rodents and vermin.
At the April 3, 2006, meeting of Council, a delegate addressed Council and expressed his
concerns. At the same meeting, staff indicated that they agreed with the concerns expressed
and responded that a report outlining apossible by-law amendment would be forthcoming.
REPORT:
The current provisions of Chapter 665 relating to swimming pools require that they be kept
clean of stagnant water but do not appear to go far enough with regard to filling in those pools
that have remain unused for quite sometime and are, for the most part, beyond reasonable use
without major repairs. In other words, they would appear to be destined for continued inactivity.
Staff have researched similar provisions that have been incorporated into property standards
by-laws in other municipalities and have found some that would appear to be consistent with the
approach desired for the City of Kitchener.
Staff are proposing to work with Legal Services to bring forward a by-law to amend Chapter 665
(Property Standards) for Council's consideration as soon as is practical.
In addition to the by-law provisions, staff must also look at the enforcement process as a means
of increasing our ability to protect communities against the potential threats associated with
stagnant water. As such, Enforcement staff will continue to monitor problems associated with
swimming pool maintenance each season, once they become aware of such problems.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None identified at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS:
No Corporate Communications required.
CONCLUSION:
Based on an increase in concerns related to privately owned swimming pools, staff believe it is
appropriate to amend Chapter 665 (Property Standards) to strengthen the provisions relating to
swimming pool maintenance. Staff are preparing a draft by-law amendment to be presented for
Council's consideration at a future meeting.
Shayne Turner
Director of By-law Enforcement