Seated between the RDOS Corporate Officer and its CEO – Director Allan Patton. Pictured on the screen a motion to take court action against an Oliver property owner who is using land to store boats, old cars, trailers and other vehicles against the Zoning Bylaw.

Patton was the chair of a planning committee meeting this morning – the decision to go to court came later in the day.

The file began in 2008 say RDOS staff. A number of Regional District Directors asked – “why does this take so long?”. “Are the penalties tough enough?”

Penticton Director Judy Sentes says many of such locations are “blights on our landscape”. Alternate Director Marilyn Harkness of Princeton and Sentes agreed that the RDOS is far to lenient.

Analysis:
A complaint was received and enforcement of zoning regulations commenced in May of 2008. The owners of a piece of property on the east side of Tucelnuit Drive started removing the vehicles once fines were initiated, however, work has been intermittent and progress has been slow. Although more than 1/2 of the derelict vehicles have been removed, the property remains in contravention with 21 derelict vehicles still being stored on the property. In addition, it appears that there may be a vehicle salvage or repair service being conducted on the property