Draft Streets By-law - Public Consultation
Consultation has concluded.
HAVE YOUR SAY
This is an invitation to review the City of Sarnia's draft Streets By-Law and an opportunity for community discussion and input. As the City undertakes a review of the Draft Streets By-Law, public consultation is being held to provide a forum for interested citizens and all stakeholders; residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional, that the By-Law pertains to.
Your comments on this matter are important. The comments and information received will assist staff in completing the review and making informed recommendations on amendments to the proposed Streets By-Law.
BACKGROUND
What is the Streets By-law?
Throughout Sarnia the Streets By-law regulates activities taking place within the municipally owned Right-of-Way by;
- Ensuring activities taking place are permitted, and documented
- Establishes a list of prohibited activities and actions
- Identifies requirements for the user and authority (City) to maintain a safe environment for all users
- Outlines reporting requirements for works taking place within the Right-of-Way
- Provides a reference point for members of the public
- Identifying clear direction for enforcement purposes
- Enabling the authority to monitor and control activity
Why is the updated Streets By-law needed?
The purpose of the Streets By-law is to protect; public health and interest, investments in infrastructure, workers, and all other stakeholders. A comprehensive review of the original By-Law, No. 145 of 1991, found it to be outdated, cumbersome for interpretation and ultimately unable to effectively serve its purpose to full effect.
The proposed update will see changes incorporated for the purpose of;
- Reflecting current best practice established throughout many other municipalities in Ontario
- Providing better means and clarity for enforcement
- Consolidating amendments from 1991 to 2021 into a single source document
- Introducing a set fine schedule for non-compliance
- Avoiding unnecessary use of resources to further amend the By-Law piece by piece
- Improving the City's ability to protect our infrastructure and the interest of our tax base
It is important to note that maintaining a safe and well maintained Right-of-Way is in the best interest of the community as a whole, and the ability to effectively and efficiently enforce specific negligence is an important improvement to the By-Law as it exists today.
Who is affected?
The Streets By-law establishes guidelines for all users – residents, contractors, workers, motorists and pedestrians alike, that occupy the Municipal Right-of-Way. It is the responsibility of these users to ensure that their actions maintain a safe and respectful atmosphere for all others.
Specific examples:
There are a number of frequent and recurring issues that are governed by the existing Streets By-Law. These issues do require significant staff time to pursue, particularly in cases of repetitive non-compliance. Some of the most common transgressions include;
- Landscaping obstructions – overhanging trees, shrubs, vegetation
- Failure to maintain the boulevard – overgrowth, destruction
- Discharge of water onto the right-of-way – pool water discharge
- Hoarding permit violations – deposit of debris, or failure to obtain a permit
Until April 9, 2021, the City of Sarnia is looking for public input towards the proposed Streets By-Law. Please take a moment to review the information available on this page and participate in our Public Consultation Process.
If you have any questions related to the information provided on this page, or to discuss this topic please contact Alister Brown, Manager of Development and Transportation, at (519) 332-0330, ext. 3359.
Personal Information Collection Notice - The City of Sarnia collects personal information from the public feedback made to the City of Sarnia and/or its Committees under the legal authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Public feedback to proposals is considered to be public record pursuant to the Act. Please be aware that if you are submitting correspondence to the City of Sarnia relating to a proposal, your name, contact information and communications will become part of the public record that will be available to the general public. Questions about this collection should be addressed to the City Clerk, 2nd floor, City Hall, 255 Christina Street North, Sarnia, ON N7T 7N2. Tel. 519-519-0330. Email: clerks @sarnia.ca