Elnora village council decided it will not respond to a resident complaint about multi-level bird hotels and subsequent droppings from their avian occupants. The decision was made at the Sept. 10 regular meeting of council.
Village Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sharon Wesgate gave councillors an update on a public complaint that was discussed at their August council meeting.
At the previous meeting Wesgate relayed a public complaint about a residence in Elnora that hosts several large multi-level birdhouses or “bird hotels” intended to host a species of feathered friend called purple martins. Purple martins are gregarious and prefer to live together, ideally in the bird hotels.
The public complaint was based primarily around the amount of bird droppings hitting neighbours property, vehicles and in some cases the neighbours themselves.
However, after the presentations councillors seemed skeptical that bird houses or their inhabitants could cause a problem requiring council’s action.
Regardless, they instructed Wesgate to investigate the issue of multi-level bird houses in other communities and see how other municipalities handle such problems.
“Three municipalities were contacted to determine if they had bylaws regarding this matter,” stated Wesgate’s report to council. “None of them did, however, all of them stated they did not have multiple birdhouses within their community of this size.
“An online search was undertaken to determine potential risks.” Wesgate provided councillors with some information from the online search.
Mayor Jul Bissell stated he didn’t feel any problems that may be caused by the birds warranted village council getting involved.
“Can’t tell people you can’t have bird houses,” said the mayor.
Councillors passed a resolution that the village take no action on the complaint.
Security cameras
Wesgate updated councillors on the village’s investigation into security camera installation.
At a previous meeting it was stated cameras may be installed primarily along Main Street.
The CAO noted she contacted three businesses in Red Deer that specialize in security cameras but it will take some time to get responses back from them.
Wesgate stated she forwarded all existing information the village has gathered on security camera installation in Elnora, including proposed locations. She noted that wiring will be an issue that must be addressed.
It was noted councillors will be updated when the Red Deer businesses respond.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
