Your weekend guide to PEI 🍓

IN THIS ISSUE

➡️ Council defers motion to demolish eyesore

➡️ PEI's cheese champions

➡️ In-picture: Stratford High School

QUICK HITS

🚕 Taxi Bylaw Modernization: Downtown Charlottetown Inc is spearheading an effort to modernize the city's taxi bylaw. Their goal is to propose updates to the bylaw by learning from successful practices in other areas through jurisdictional scans. The focus is on improving taxi availability, addressing concerns from residents and industries, and accommodating the rise of ride-sharing services. The group includes key stakeholders like the port and airport authorities, as well as the hotel association. They will also explore the province's role in regulating the taxi industry.

🏒 PEI Connection: What connects the PEI Senators, Boston Pizza, Calgary Flames, and Toronto Maple Leafs? The answer is Brad Treliving. Hockey pundits anticipate Treliving, son of Boston Pizza mogul Jim Treliving, to become the Maple Leafs' new general manager, succeeding Kyle Dubas. The 53-year-old played one season with the PEI Senators after the team relocated to Charlottetown from Connecticut in 1993. Treliving’s most recent hockey experience was as general manager of the Calgary Flames. Consider this nugget of water cooler gold a bonus for the week. You’re welcome.

🚓 Out of Province DUI: An Ontario court has fined a PEI man $1,700 and issued a one-year driving ban after he pleaded guilty to impaired driving and leaving the scene of an accident. On January 20, 2023, police were alerted when a vehicle crashed into a parked car and fled the scene. Soon after, Ontario Provincial Police arrested Gilles Barriault, 35, and registered a blood alcohol level of 110 mg per 100 ml of blood. Barriault appeared virtually in a Bracebridge, Ont courtroom. Via: South Muskoka Doppler.

NOT SO FAST

Council defers motion to demolish eyesore

In the latest development surrounding the abandoned apartment building at 282 University Avenue, city council deferred a motion to authorize public works to demolish or renovate the structure.

The motion before council was brought forward after a letter was received by the city highlighting a section of the Dangerous, Hazardous and Unsightly Premises Bylaw that gives council the authority to order a building to be repaired or demolished if it has been boarded up for more than 18 months. Instead of debating this section of the bylaw, councillors questioned why this building is being singled out while other dilapidated buildings continue to deteriorate.

Police Chief Brad MacConnell expressed his support for the bylaw officer's efforts to address the situation before it escalated to its current state. He highlighted the city's reactive approach to dealing with derelict properties, where staff take action based on complaints received. The motion presented to council arose from concerns that the city may not have been fully adhering to its bylaw regarding boarded up buildings.

Chief MacConnell then provided council with a detailed timeline of events.

📆 TIMELINE OF EVENTS

March 2017: A fire breaks out at 282 University Avenue, resulting in the displacement of five residents.

August 2018: An area resident files a complaint regarding safety and unsightliness. A meeting is held with the building’s owner.

October 2019: The police and fire departments serve a hazard and compliance order. All violations are addressed by the owner within one month.

2020: City staff meets with the property owner to discuss safety concerns, unsightliness, and a sign posted on the building. The owner addresses these concerns.

2021: The city is informed that the owner sought legal advice.

February 2022: Police contact the owner notifying them of the city's intention to address the property under sections of the Dangerous, Hazardous and Unsightly Premises Bylaw.

March 2022: The issue is discussed in a closed session of the emergency services committee. Former Chief Administrative Officer Peter Kelly updates the committee about an external appraisal valuing the property at $260,000. The owner expresses willingness to sell the property to the city for around $300,000, with stipulations on future use.

June 28, 2022: The police meet with the owner and issue a warning.

August 2, 2022: Arrangements are made for an internal inspection of the property with the involvement of the police, fire, and planning departments.

August 3, 2022: The owner informs police that legal counsel has advised against entry to the building and requests all future correspondence to go through their lawyer.

April 28, 2023: Emergency services and council receive a letter highlighting the fact that the building has been boarded up for more than 18 months, which is a violation of the bylaw.

May 23, 2023: Emergency services committee passes a motion recommending that council authorize public works to demolish or renovate the building at the owner’s expense. This motion is based on staff recommendations.

May 31, 2023: Council defers the motion, sends it back to the committee.

As the fate of the building remains uncertain, this ongoing issue underscores the complexities involved in resolving issues surrounding derelict properties and balancing the interests of both the owner and public safety. I'll continue to follow this one as it unfolds.

BY THE NUMBERS

Atlantic hurricane season

🌀 40% : The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts tomorrow. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued its outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season last week. NOAA predicts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, with a 30% chance for both an above-normal season and a below-normal season.

🔢 12-17 : NOAA has a 70% confidence level in the projected range of named storms this year, which is expected to be between 12 to 17 in total. Out of these storms, it's predicted that 5 to 9 could grow into hurricanes, characterized by winds reaching 119 km/h or more. Among the potential hurricanes, NOAA foresees the possibility of 1 to 4 major hurricanes, classified as category 3, 4, or 5, with winds surpassing 178 km/h.

📍 35% : So, what does this mean for us? According to the Canadian Hurricane Centre, approximately 35% of Atlantic tropical cyclones make their way into the Canadian response zone. Considering this information in light of NOAA's predictions, we may find ourselves concerned as 4-6 named storms venture into the Canadian response zone this season. It's important to take these predictions with a grain of salt, obviously, and keep in mind that our region represents only a small portion of the entire Canadian response zone.

📢 SHOUT-OUTS 

🎓 Congratulations to the Holland College students who are graduating this week from more than 60 programs.

🧀 COWS Creamery had an utterly moorific time at the 2023 SIAL International Cheese Competition in Toronto earlier this month. The company moo-ved the crowd by bringing home 3 gold medals, proving they're cream of the herd. With 231 cheeses from 8 countries vying for top honours, the judges had a beefy task on their hands. But COWS Creamery's cheeses were pasture-perfect, with Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar, Blue Moo, and 2017 Reserve Cheddar mooliciously taking 1st place in their respective categories. Talk about milking the competition!

#PEIslandEdition

Stratford High School 🎒

The province has posted a site work tender package for the Stratford High School project, to be located on lands behind Mason Road. According to a project timeline, subject to change, steel work should commence late this fall. Here’s a link to the tender drawings (24MB / PDF).

Tag @PEIslandEdition or use #PEIslandEdition to get your post featured in Island Edition!

COMMUNITY CORNER

📚 Stop by the Kirk of St. James in downtown Charlottetown for a book and bake sale this Saturday, June 3 from 9:30 am to 1:00. Indulge in homemade treats, gluten-free options, and browse through a variety of books, vintage items, puzzles and games. Don't miss the lobster raffle, with tickets at $10 each or 3 for $25. Contact the church office at 902-892-2839 or [email protected] for more info.

🧑‍🌾 Children aged 6 to 10 are invited to join The Burly Farmer for a workshop on container gardening. Planting activities will be held at Victoria Park or Orlebar Park this  Saturday, June 3 from 10:00 am to noon. Help contribute to community vegetable planters and create your own container-based vegetable gardens to take home.

📄 Discover the Rural Communities Council—an advisory role offering insights and recommendations to government on rural matters. Members serve two-year terms, and a few positions are concluding in June. Learn more about this opportunity here.

Send a quick message if your organization would like to publish a PSA. There's no charge for these. Max three per-issue.

WEATHER

Wednesday

🌤️ H23°C 🌡️ L12°C 
💨 W 28 km/h, gusting 42

Thursday

🌦️ H27°C 🌡️ L11°C
💨 SW 18 km/h, gusting 27

Looking Ahead

👀 The weekend is looking pleasant, but before we get there, take caution tomorrow when the humidex is forecast to reach 33°C.

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