City council in North Battleford made a decision at Tuesday鈥檚 council meeting to uphold the demolition order on a dilapidated property at 1102 - 106th St.
The decision came after council had heard from the owner of the property, Zia Waraich, at council two weeks earlier. The city had issued the demolition order against the property last August and had previously turned down an appeal by Waraich, but council was ordered to re-hear the appeal according to a ruling of the Court of Queen鈥檚 Bench.
In his presentation, Waraich asked for additional time to repair the property and pledged to put up a security bond or a commitment in writing. But council peppered Waraich with questions about the state of the property, and cited concern about police being called to the property 14 times in 2019 and 2020.
Tuesday, council members voted unanimously to uphold the demolition order. In rejecting Waraich鈥檚 appeal, councillors made a point of saying they had heard Waraich鈥檚 latest presentation with an open mind.
But the councillors made clear they were not persuaded by what Waraich had to say.
Councillor Len Taylor said during that presentation the owner 鈥渇ailed to provide us information 鈥� credible information.鈥� He pointed to no specific timetable, and didn鈥檛 relate to the issues such as 鈥渁 failing garage, a failing foundation, a failing roof.鈥�
Taylor also said the owner failed to address 鈥渁ny of the activity or actions that have taken place on that property over the last six to eight years.鈥�
鈥淗e failed to convince me we should allow him more time,鈥� said Taylor.
Councillor Greg Lightfoot said he had expected a presentation from Waraich that 鈥渉ad a lot of meat and potatoes to it,鈥� but 鈥渉e was done his presentation in two minutes.鈥�
That was not a presentation you make to council, Lightfoot said, for a property in derelict condition. He also pointed to 鈥渧ery little construction detail鈥� being brought to council.
鈥淗is presentation was very short and very lacking in details,鈥� said Councillor Kelli Hawtin. His work plan, she said, failed to address many of the issues the city鈥檚 inspector had pointed out 鈥� roofing, electrical and siding.
鈥淭here鈥檚 not a clear and concise plan to remediate the property, nor is there a clear and concise plan to manage the property going forward.鈥�
Mayor David Gillan also cited the lack of details in Waraich鈥檚 presentation. 鈥淎ll the dialogue was created by ourselves,鈥� he said.
Other councillors agreed with the sentiments expressed. Councillor Thomas 鈥淏ill鈥� Ironstand noted the numerous letters from residents in support of demolition. 鈥淚t is an unsafe building in the neighborhood,鈥� said Ironstand. 鈥淧eople need to feel safe in our community.鈥�
