Moonlighting home business to get attention of regional bylaw enforcement officer

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Spaniard’s Bay Mayor Paul Brazil used the opportunity of his town hosting the latest meeting of the CBN Joint Council to pick the brains of colleagues from neighbouring communities on how they deal with the issue of backyard garbage.
Brazil noted the region will soon share a bylaw enforcement officer who will likely help with the problem, but he would appreciate some input from the others nonetheless.
“We’re getting complaints from people in the neighbourhood about an individual who is a mechanic by trade and works a full-time job, but on evenings and nighttime is running sort of a home shop type thing,” said Brazil.
Brazil said the town is not sure how to verify the claims and that, even if they were able to do so, they are unsure of what steps to take to rectify the situation. “I’m just wondering if any of the councils around have experience like that,” he asked.
Carbonear Councillor Danielle Doyle told Brazil that in her town there are some zones where you can have a business in a residential neighbourhood, but only certain kinds of businesses are allowed. “They would need to be a part of your development regulations,” said Doyle.
North River Mayor Brian Hurley remarked that his town also has someone who works on cars and sells them but claims not to run a business. “We’re not going up and getting into a fight with him. That’s why we need an enforcement officer,” said Hurley.
Carbonear Deputy Mayor Sam Slade said some types of businesses, such as hair salons, can operate in a residential area. “But a garage, that’s not something that we would take too kind to,” he said.
He told Brazil that, if Spaniard’s Bay has the proper rules and regulations in place, it can send the individual a cease-and-desist order. Alternatively, it could take a different course of action if council wants the business to stay.
Bay Roberts Acting Mayor and Joint Council Chairman Geoffrey Seymour said the first thing to consider is whether or not the person has a business permit.
“If he doesn’t have a permit, it doesn’t matter what zone you’re in,” said Seymour.
Slade pointed out that that would depend on whether Spaniard’s Bay’s rules and regulations include business permit requirements.
“That’ll be unique to each town,” Seymour said, adding that once the regional by-law enforcement officer is in place, it will become that person’s file.
“We’ll have some professional advice now in a few weeks,” Brazil agreed.