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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 21, 2010 · 10 Stay safe with open air burning The Oakville Fire department reminds residents of the Town's open air burning bylaw. Key highlights of the by-law include: · Open burning is permitted at ground level only, not on balconies or raised decks. Open burning is permitted during favourable weather conditions only. Open burning must be supervised by a competent adult at all times. · A charged hose and/or 2A fire extinguisher must be nearby when using an open burning device. · All open burning must be at least three metres from adjacent property and anything that could catch fire. · A permit is required for open burning at a special event. A notice of violation for a first illegal fire, and then fines and charges under the Ontario Fire Code for subsequent illegal fires will apply to anyone who owns or operates land on which open burning occurs that does not comply with the open air burning by-law. To review the bylaw, visit www.oakvillefire.ca/openairburning.htm. Condominium owners want fair deal on property taxes By Dennis Smith SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Ed Keenleyside believes condominiums are a great deal for municipalities and he wants them to return the favour. He gave regional councillors several suggestions on Wednesday (July 14) on how to address perceived inequitable property taxing of condominiums. "With the new policy of (land use) intensification, local governments have learned there's one important advantage to condominium developments. Condo tenants are a boon to an area's tax base," said Keenleyside, director of the Golden Horseshoe Chapter of the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI). He noted condos are far less expensive to service than single family homes because municipalities don't have to provide the same services, yet they collect the same taxes from condos. "I challenge Halton and its municipalities to be a trailblazer on this issue in Ontario," said Keenleyside. He said a staff information report failed to mention one city's approach. "Waterloo provides compensation to condominiums where services are not delivered." The CCI has suggested that condo owners pay property taxes to the level of service provided them or that services are provided for the level of taxes that are paid. The organization has stated condo owners are paying property taxes, but often must contract privately for waste collection, fire hydrant inspections, storm sewer maintenance and larviciding (killing mosquito larvae to reduce the risk of West Nile virus). Regional representatives have previously noted Halton provides waste manage- ment services on condominium properties where it's accessible or it can be put on the street for pickup. It was added there are exceptions, particularly if a condo's layout prevents safe waste collection. The staff report noted Halton currently handles larviciding and fire hydrants only on public property, while local municipalities are responsible for storm sewer maintenance. Keenleyside said Halton could use the Municipal Act's allowance for area specific (tax) rates to apply that policy to condominiums, examine and implement tax rates, and provide relief from property tax inequities. He suggested the Region seek ways to address perceived 'double taxation' on condos, provide larviciding and fire hydrant servicing for condominiums, lobby the province to establish a new property class for condominiums and form an advisory committee of Halton and CCI representatives. Carol D'Amelio said Keenleyside raised some good issues and suggested they be brought up at Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) meetings. Regional councillors need more information, said the Burlington councillor. "We need to answer questions and find out what we can and cannot do and what we're willing to do and not willing to do." Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said he welcomes dialogue, but warned against setting up an advisory committee with one group of taxpayers. "I think it's a minefield and I think fairness is important." Staff was directed to produce a followup report, which will be brought back in March.