Greenstone Council Approves Use of Municipal Property By-Law

Greenstone Council has approved a new Use of Municipal Property By-Law to better regulate activities occurring on municipal lands and address ongoing community concerns related to unauthorized use.

Municipal property includes lands owned, managed, or otherwise under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Greenstone. The new by-law provides clearer rules and enforcement tools for municipal staff to address issues such as dumping garbage or yard waste, placing vehicles or structures on municipal property, unauthorized plantings, pushing snow onto roadways or sidewalks, and other activities that may create safety hazards or interfere with municipal operations. 

The by-law also addresses concerns about damage to municipal lands and infrastructure, including grassed areas, road allowances, and sidewalks. Under the new framework, municipal officers may issue work orders requiring individuals to stop unauthorized activities, remove objects, or repair damage to municipal property within a specified timeframe. If compliance does not occur, enforcement measures may include fines or the municipality undertaking the work and recovering associated costs. 

In addition, the by-law introduces provisions to address certain activities that may create safety risks, including the operation of certain motorized vehicles on sidewalks and situations where adult cyclists may interfere with pedestrian traffic. 

The new by-law will provide the municipality with clearer authority to manage municipal lands, improve public safety, protect municipal infrastructure, and enhance the overall appearance of the community. 

Residents who wish to undertake activities that may otherwise be restricted under the by-law will also have the opportunity to submit a written request to the Municipal Clerk for authorization.

Any questions regarding the by-law can be sent to the Manager of Municipal Law Enforcement at trish.kolody@greenstone.ca.