A property on Hazel Street, that burnt down last year, has been given two months by council to be brought up to code.
Council agreed with District of Hope staff during Monday night’s (July 8) council meeting that remedial action was needed to bring the property at 689 Hazel St up to code and that it is a “hazard” and “nuisance” to the community and neighbourhood it resides in.
As part of the remedial action, the owner of the property has been given 60 days to demolish all remaining structures “from the property fire, remove any accumulation of debris and discarded materials, level the lands” and cut overgrown vegetation.
The owner, who was present during the meeting, agreed to this and apologized to council and staff for letting the property remain in its current state for this long. He also acknowledged that further action would be taken if he was unable to bring his property up to code within the 60 days.
Last year, on April 5, 2023, the Hazel Street property — along with a property at Yale Street and one at 3rd Avenue — were intentionally set on fire. All of the fires, which happened in the early morning within hours of each other, were started in open carports and unlocked garages.
In the case of the property on Hazel Street, 12 firefighters tended to the fire till 7 a.m.
During the meeting, the owner explained to council that over the past few years he had been dealing with numerous issues. These issues caused a series of setbacks that prevented him from properly addressing the emotional, financial, and physical needs in his life.
He is also still dealing with the emotional and physical ramifications caused by losing his home to the fire.
Because of this, he said he could not properly address the problems with the property until this year when he was finally able to obtain, and keep, employment in Hope. To help with the remedial work, the owner has brought on Jim Lasser’s Tri-West Contracting and Excavating to clear the debris and demolish the remaining structures.
Because of this, council has also agreed to give Lasser and his crew a noise exemption to allow them to work on the property early in the morning. The exemption was given due to the high temperatures currently taking place in Hope and the safety issues that come from working in hot weather.
The next council meeting will be on Aug. 12 at 7 p.m.
