A derelict home residents of Lacombe Park once considered to be an eyesore should pass its final inspection next week, proof the community standards bylaw works, the mayor says.
Bylaw and Capital Health will inspect the home at Laval Dr., on Dec. 29. Stu Fraser, the city’s supervisor of peace officer programs, says there has been sufficient progress on the home that he expects the condemning notice in place will be lifted.
“We have every reason to believe that, if progress is maintained as it has been, it will be lifted at the end of this month,” Fraser said. “There’s been a substantial amount of work to renovate the house that’s been accomplished.
The home was first condemned in 2004. Neighbouring residents frequently complained to the city because of its unsightly nature. It wasn’t until the city passed the community standards bylaw in March 2010 that work began to bring the home back up to habitable standards.
Mayor Nolan Crouse said council has used the home as a test of the bylaw by ordering twice-yearly updates on its progress. Crouse said when he was door knocking in 2007, while running for mayor, he learned of the Laval Drive property, as well as three other homes that were considered to be unsightly. The other three homeowners acted quickly to fix up their properties once the city confronted them.
A report Fraser gave council Monday will be the final time council will hear of it.
“It’s been a long time but [the bylaw] has teeth,” Crouse. “The bylaw officers can deal with when they know about it now. This was a test case.”
In the last six months, front fence panels have been replaced, all surface mould has been removed and all drywall that has been contaminated by mould has been replaced. Plumbing throughout the house has been replaced or upgraded and broken and damaged stair railings have also been replaced. A new furnace has been installed and started and all of the pipe joints have been resoldered. All that remains is some drywall work, installing flooring and windows and connecting plumbing fixtures.
“The bylaw is working,” Crouse said. “There is progress being made. There was none since 2004 so that’s eight years this house has been empty.”
Once the condemnation notice is lifted, Fraser says bylaw will no longer be as involved as it was with the home.
“Legislatively they will have satisfied the community standards bylaw like every other civic-minded citizen in St. Albert.”
Crouse added the final inspection will also be a victory for residents living near the home.
“The residents will be happy because they don’t have a derelict neighbourhood home,” he said.”
