Meaford Council (Image from Meaford YouTube)
Building activity in Meaford last year saw a slight decline from 2022.
Council received a year-end update on building activity for all of 2023 during a meeting on Feb. 12, providing details for not just building permit activity, but activities of municipal enforcement, economic development, and community and consultation activity.
The number of building permit applications took a dip in 2023 with 305 overall, compared to the 378 in 2022.
While the number of new homes in 2023 at 47 exceeded the 41 in 2022, last year fell short in new multi-residential, industrial, sewage system permits, accessory apartment, and others.
The value of building permits, however, actually exceeded 2022 at $64.6 million compared to the $61.1 million the year before.
Municipal enforcement had a busier year in 2023 over 2022, with 872 filings last year and 829 the year prior.
The majority of the occurrences the enforcement division responded to came from the 233 parking tickets issued in 2023, but was beat by the 279 issued in 2022. There were also 132 calls for animal control, but also fell short of 2022 at 149.
Coun. Brandon Forder says, “I see there is a significant increase in property standards files, suggesting there could be a growing issue. There is 132 in 2023 versus 52 in 2022, just curious to know, to get a little bit of insight, what that might signify?”
Director of Development Services Robert Voigt says part of the issue is from more residential units in the municipality, and since coming out the Covid pandemic, people have taken it upon themselves to issue more formal complaints and try to get by-law involved.
“It’s a little bit of growth and probably a lot more of just folks wanting to make sure they are exercising their right to engage with by-law on issues they have problems with,” says Voigt.
Other calls for enforcement include open air burning and fireworks, yard maintenance, noise, signs, and livestock.
Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney asked if there was more they could do to let residents know what was acceptable.
“I know that there are specific information campaigns that we do. Those are often with pet care and things of that nature. There is information that goes out when the seasons change, because that relates to snow clearing of the roadways. Also with winter, there is sidewalk clearing requirements. There are a number of those kinds of things that goes out there,” says Voigt.
For economic development, only one application was received for Meaford’s Community Improvement Plan, in which $7,500 was handed out. This falls behind the five applications received in 2022 where $30,265 was distributed.