Concrete Barriers May Be Ugly But City Recommends Not Banning Them

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This article is 3724 days old.
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These concrete blocks at the old Ouellete/Giles Tim Hortons location were mentioned in the report (as seen in Google Earth)

As unsightly as one city Councillor thinks they are, city administration is recommending that nothing be done about concrete barriers, also known as Jersey Barriers, that dot the city landscape blocking access to various vacant properties such as closed gas stations.

The issue was brought to the attention of city administration in September 2013, when Councillor Valentinis asked if there were any options to prohibit the use of these barriers, such as time limits or the use of fencing instead. He was concerned that they create urban blight.

The building department took a survey of several municipalities within Ontario including London, Hamilton and Oshawa to see of they had any bylaws restricting their use, which none did.

The building department also noted in a report to council, that the barriers are placed at these vacant properties to comply with current city bylaws by preventing vehicles , illegal dumping and other uses of the properties.

Administration also says while fences can an effective barrier they create issues such as garbage blocking them, weeds and grass growing and the erection of illegal signs.

Administration says that any bylaw to prevent this use of these types of barriers is counterproductive as the property owners will just have to find another way to protect their vacant land and restrict access.