Derelict buildings in Golden can be an obstacle to the positive economic, social, and cultural development of our community. Even a single derelict building can bring down the value of surrounding properties and businesses, pushing development elsewhere.
While the Community Charter gives municipalities in B.C the ability to encourage property revitalization through the use of tax exemptions, it does not provide specific authority for municipalities to penalize property owners who permit derelict properties to remain in a state of perpetual neglect.
The Community Charter’s current provisions which permit municipalities to take remedial action with respect to property are too narrowly defined to allow for councils to introduce comprehensive bylaws containing effective penalties. There is no provision in the Community Charter that explicitly allows for the imposition of fines or surtaxes on the owners of derelict or vacant property.
In July, 2018 the Chamber wrote to the Town of Golden and asked for their support in lobbying the provincial government to amend the Community Charter to give municipalities the option of introducing tools and strategies to motivate the owners of derelict properties to improve and maintain such properties - Advocacy letter to the ToG.
For further information on this topic and/or to share your story please contact Shelly Wadden, Executive Director at: [email protected]