Amenity or liability? Neighbours at odds over personal touches to public land | 24CA News
It’s both an amenity or a legal responsibility relying on who you ask alongside a seemingly quiet avenue in Ottawa’s New Edinburgh neighbourhood, however a pair of Muskoka chairs, two wood play constructions, a Little Free Library and a few vacation lights are inflicting stress between neighbours.
Chris Straka began including what he calls “embellishments to the public space,” even earlier than the pandemic — a Little Free Library on a utility pole, two Muskoka chairs and a wood horse and unicorn for teenagers to play on.
Then some neighbours bought collectively to place up vacation lights on three timber within the little strip of land bordered by Dufferin Road, Stanley Avenue and River Lane final yr.
This yr, they did the identical, utilizing an extension twine Straka had related to his dwelling.
“The holiday light tradition along the laneways of old New Edinburgh bring light and bring joy,” he stated.
Then Ottawa Bylaw Services bought a grievance in December and on Wednesday, Straka was given 48 hours to take down the decor or face a $615 fantastic.
“It’s ridiculous. We do what we can to kind of get a nice neighbourhood for the kids,” stated Christian Hansson, whose home borders the lane and is a part of a gaggle of oldsters who name themselves the “lads (or lasses) of the lane.”
“We spent 30 hours putting up Christmas lights on the lane and to remove that because somebody has a grudge and doesn’t want to call us and use bylaw as their personal lap dog.”
David Pyman, who lives on the different finish of the lane from the strip of land, agreed.
“All we’ve tried to do is improve our community by donating our time and resources to making a better public space,” he stated.
“I think it’s a shame that someone would go out of their way to complain during Christmas when all we’re trying to do is spread a little Christmas cheer.”
Some see it in a different way
Yet, some neighbours instructed CBC they see the decor in a different way.
In an e-mail to CBC, Roger Chapman, town’s director of bylaw and regulatory companies stated officers obtained a grievance that somebody had “expanded their private garden into Stanley Park.”
“To a certain extent, you know, I think a couple of chairs isn’t particularly harmful, in fact it’s sort of nice,” stated Ann Davis.
‘”On the other hand, I think that there are laws and, you know, I can’t put up chairs in the park. So, in a sense why should anybody be allowed to put up chairs [in that area]?”
Some neighbours are at odds over whether or not some vacation lights and different decorations ought to stay in a pocket of government-owned land in New Edinburgh.
Gosse Bruinsma stated he is heard from neighbours who’re offended as a result of they really feel the park is getting used as an extension of somebody’s personal yard.
“It’s sort of the thin edge of the wedge, if everybody does whatever they please on city property,” stated Bruinsma.
He additionally believes town might be liable if anybody was damage utilizing any of the personal gadgets on public land.
“The flip-side is of course, if everybody were to put whatever they want on city property, neighbourhoods would become probably fairly chaotic,” he stated.
Ticket rescinded
On Friday night, Straka instructed CBC they do not plan to take down the lights or take away the opposite gadgets anytime quickly.
Yet, it seems a jurisdictional problem could have purchased him a while.
Near the tail finish of the 48-hour deadline, town instructed CBC it has decided the land is definitely owned by the National Capital Commission (NCC) and the grievance could be referred to them.
The NCC instructed CBC it is conscious of a grievance concerning the space, and is anticipating the referral from Ottawa’s bylaw division.
