North Bay looks at permitting more backyard burning

[Rick (Admin)]

North Bay looks at permitting more backyard burning


Some burning questions will be answered Monday as to whether or not the city should ease up on restrictions for outdoor fires, including the use of chimineas.
 
Recommendations regarding possible changes to the city's open air burning bylaw are expected to be tabled in a report to council by Fire Chief Grant Love.

The report comes at the request of council members who opted in June to review the rules surrounding outdoor burning in order to look at a number of possible changes including multi-year permits and expanding the areas of the city where recreational fires are permitted.

Currently, open-air burning is not permitted in urban areas of the city and permits are only issued to residents in rural areas.

But the review was expected to look at other possible ways of determining where in the city open air burning could be permitted.

Deputy mayor Tanya Vrebosch, who first called for the review last month, said there are some areas in the city most people would consider as rural but are actually zoned residential and do not qualify for burning permits.

She said it doesn't always make sense to have the open air burning bylaw tied to zoning. And Vrebosch said that's one reason why she wanted the bylaw reviewed.

She said there are other communities that aren't as restrictive as North Bay when it comes to outdoor burning. And Vrebosch wants more people in the city to be able to enjoy an outdoor fire if possible.

“We live in Northern Ontario. It's what we do,” she said, noting camp fires are part of a lifestyle in the North.

Although Vrebosch has been looking into the issue for about a year, the review also comes after council heard last month from Premier Road residents concerned about losing their ability to obtain burning permits.

The zoning for many Premier Road properties is proposed to change under a separate overhaul of the city's zoning bylaw, disqualifying homeowners on that street who have long enjoyed backyard fires from applying for a permit.

Vrebosch said she expects the report to include a recommendation to allow for some expanded burning opportunities in the city. But she said the report is expected to be referred to committee for further discussion.

Vrebocsch said the issuing of more burning permits will also mean more revenue for the city's fire department, which is always looking for ways to offset expenses.

But she said a burning permit should be considered a privilege, suggesting there be strict rules surrounding where and when fires are permitted and what material can be burned. Vrebosch said she would like to see a rule in place that would see permits revoked for violators.

Coun. Dave Mendicino, chairman of community services, said the city has received calls from residents on both sides of the issues since it was first raised last month.


www.nugget.ca/2014/07/27/city-looks-at-permitting-more-backyard-burning