Aurora may allow neighbours to access each other’s property

Yorkregion.com
May 7, 2015
By Teresa Latchford

A new bylaw could grant your neighbour temporary access to your property.

Aurora council has directed staff to explore the creation of a bylaw that would give the town authority to grant someone access to a neighbour’s property for needed repairs.

The direction came after hearing from local homeowner Darcy Romaine.

Romaine is currently having the roof repaired on his Valemount Way home and needs access to his neighbour’s property to allow workers to safely erect ladders to fix a fallen eavestrough.

“I have a neighbour who is very adamant about his property rights and has denied my request,” Romaine said. “I have spoken to him, but my attempts at diplomacy have failed.”

The design of the subdivision leaves each property owner with a four-foot side allowance on one side of the house and only a two-foot allowance on the other side. Romaine’s roofers need access to the side with only two feet available.

Town solicitor Warren Mar said it is an odd situation and advised council members these requests should have a fee associated and the bylaw would take several weeks to draft.

“If we allow this type of planning and cram houses together, we have a responsibility to find a solution,” Councillor John Abel said. “In the old days, we would arm ourselves to protect our property, but I can see the need for this.”

Pending final approval, town staff has been directed to explore the creation of a bylaw to address these types of situations and report back to council within two months.