The City of St. Albert won’t be providing any more information to residents or the media when it comes to the concerns about boarders at 3 Gould Place.
“The enforcement process concerning this property has reached a point where the matter may end up before the courts and as such, it is no longer appropriate for the City to be sharing information with residents nor issuing media releases concerning next steps. To continue to do so may compromise our enforcement efforts,” reads a letter from Patrick Draper, city manager, to the property owners who live on Gould Place.
The letter reminds residents any potential litigation takes time and that the city has due process that must be followed.
“The City has worked with the owner and the occupants, and the number of residents in the house currently meets the requirements of the Land Use Bylaw,” the letter says.
If residents feel the use of the property continues to have a negative impact on them, the letter said residents may wish to explore pursuing “private common law remedies.
“This is identified as an option only and should not be construed as the City abdicating its role in resolving this matter; as indicated above, we will continue to move forward with any necessary enforcement,” the letter says.
Workers living in the rented home at 3 Gould Place raised the concerns of neighbours that there were too many people living in the home. They also expressed frustration about traffic and noise.
The last press release from the city in mid-July found the property owner of 3 Gould Place to be in partial compliance with a stop order but noted traffic and noise disruption in the neighbourhood continued to be monitored.
“The City is pursuing this matter in accordance with provincially legislated procedures. If evidence reveals further violations, the City is prepared to take further enforcement to gain full compliance,” the July 16 press release says.
Mayor Nolan Crouse referred the Gazette to the letter from Draper regarding the matter.
“From council’s point of view we’ve got bylaws in place to address these things and our staff are expected to execute within the bylaws,” Crouse said.
