the broken typewriter

As part of its 2020 Core Services Review, District of Taylor staff conducted a review of the District’s core services, which included reviewing and recommending updates to Municipal Bylaws where necessary.

Although not yet completed, staff has made great strides in completing the Bylaw review, as shown in the Core Services Review, Annual  Goals and Objectives Update presented to the Committee of the Whole meeting on February 5. On page 38 of the Update is a long list of updated, amended, adopted and under review bylaws that staff has undertaken since the 2020 Core Services Review.

Councillor Betty Ponto noted during the Council Meeting following the COW that there’s a perception that the District is suddenly bringing in new bylaws, but the vast majority are simply a review of existing bylaws. Over time, things have changed, such as legislative changes that affect the community and thus bylaws need to be updated.

“Even if there’s a negative thought towards it, I still like it because it means people are getting engaged,” Ponto said.

Staff has done a fantastic job, said Councillor Michelle Turnbull. “Some of these bylaws are from the 1950s and 1960s, they’re extremely old, and as staff has the capacity to go through these bylaws, they’re doing us a big favour.”

Three bylaws currently undergoing the public engagement process are the Special Events Bylaw, the Official Community Plan Bylaw, and the Unsightly Premises Bylaw.

Mayor Brent Taillefer said that when the bylaws are put forward for review, there are two copies available for viewing – the original and the proposed new one, so everyone can see what is in place already and where the District wants to go with each bylaw.

Taillefer feels it’s a good process “even when some of it’s negative at least it’s bringing attention to what’s happening in the community and getting people involved.”

Currently, the Unsightly Premises Bylaw is getting the most attention. This bylaw is an update of the 1993 Nuisance and Unsightly Premises Bylaw. Revamping a bylaw is a multi-stage process and the District of Taylor is now in the public engagement stage and welcomes feedback from residents. The feedback will be reviewed by council prior to the bylaw receiving its first three readings.