The issue of an unsightly premises in the Hamlet of Endiang, specifically a mobile home near the community hall, was brought to council by Coun. Les Stulberg. ECA Review/Screenshot
County of Stettler council agreed to develop a plan to clean up a mobile home described by ratepayers as an eyesore and perform the work in 2023. The decision was made at the June 8 regular meeting of council.
The issue of an unsightly premises in the Hamlet of Endiang, specifically a mobile home near the community hall, was brought to council by Coun. Les Stulberg. Stulberg stated the mobile home is located right on Main Street, so it’s in a prominent location.
The councillor stated the mobile home has never been lived in to the best of his knowledge and in the past had some interior walls knocked out in order for it to be used commercially but that never materialized.
Stulberg noted Stettler County has been responding to calls two or three times in the past where the wind has ripped off materials from the mobile home and sent them through the air. He stated residents are scared someone is going to get hurt by debris from the derelict property.
He went on to state that the mobile home is sitting on blocks but has no skirting and has two decks, both of them rotted through.
Through photographs he provided Stulberg also pointed out the property appears to be sagging, possibly due to utility work.
“It’s unsightly and unsafe,” said Stulberg.
The councillor noted that it’s his understanding that the county is now the owner of both the mobile home and lot and that residents have for some time been asking when the mobile home can be removed.
Stulberg asked what salvage value the mobile home may have and what options exist for getting rid of it.
Director of Operations Rick Green responded, confirming the mobile home and lot are county property. He suggested perhaps looking at cleaning up the lot in question along with other adjacent lots which are also county property and including all of the work in one project which could then be tendered together to get a better value.
Stulberg asked if the mobile home contains asbestos.
Green responded he didn’t know, but did note that by law a hazardous goods assessment must be completed before the mobile home can be demolished. He cited a similar situation in Byemoor where the assessment revealed no hazardous materials.
County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Yvette Cassidy stated the building, if it includes hazardous materials, could be taken for disposal to a facility near Big Valley.
Green added that if it contains hazardous materials then when it is demolished the entire thing must be bagged and transported to the facility.
Stulberg stated he felt the county should begin the necessary processes as soon as possible.
Green responded he could write a proposal for the entire Endiang situation and present it for council’s consideration in the 2023 budget.
Reeve Larry Clarke suggested expanding the examination to the entire county and all of its hamlets, as he’s seen similar situations in both Gadsby and Botha.
“We got to get this stuff cleaned up,” said the reeve, who noted that unsightly premises affect the county’s efforts to sell hamlet lots.
Stulberg agreed with the reeve’s assessments of some parts of the hamlets. “They’re full of old buildings nobody wants,” said Stulberg.
Councillors unanimously approved a motion to direct staff to develop a proposal for the Endiang situation, and also include the topic of unsightly premises in hamlets in strategic planning sessions.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
