Skip to content

Millet council tables trailer request

Property owner asks to allow contractor to live in trailer on site
8738133_web1_170622-WPF-M-MilletTownOfficewebsite

Millet town council decided they need more information to address a home renovation request during their regular meeting Sept. 27. All councilors were present for the meeting.

A Millet property owner, Larry Blythe, requested to appear before council to ask for a waiver on his property.

“I wish to address your next council meeting and ask for a special one-time, temporary permit to allow my contractor to keep his construction site trailer on the property until all renovations are done,” stated Blythe in his letter to council.

“All permits and health issues will be addressed and adhered to. The time frame involved will be approximately May 15, 2018.

“He would be living in the trailer temporarily until that date.” Blythe was present for the council meeting along with the contractor in question, Conrad Ballet of MudPuppies General Contracting.

Blythe stated renovations in question pertain to a building at 4830 51st Ave. in Millet.

Mayor Tony Wadsworth stated that the Town of Millet has a bylaw forbidding people living in recreational vehicles as a residence. Blythe responded that the contractor’s trailer would be on the same site as the residence in question, and would greatly speed up the renovation process.

Wadsworth then stated that council had been advised of other issues at that address. He noted that the home in question had been condemned.

Blythe said he had spoken to an inspector and knew what needed to be done for the residence to be occupied again, and also stated the work being done was a renovation. The home in question did not require a reconstruction.

The question of whether a development permit was required was also posed. A section of the Municipal Government Act stated that renovations of 75 per cent of the value of the residence due to damage require a development permit.

Blythe disputed the statement that the home in question requires that much work or was damaged to that degree and invited councilors to have a look for themselves. “Why don’t you come over and look at it?” he asked them.

Ballet agreed with Blythe and stated the home did not require more than 75 per cent repair, the home was not actually condemned and some work is required to make it livable. Ballet said the project is only financially viable for his business if he can live on-site in his trailer.

Ballet noted no work has been started on the home in question.

Several councilors noted they saw two issues here: the need for a development permit and the request to allow Ballet’s trailer on site.

Councilors decided they need more information before voting on the issues at hand. The issue was tabled to the next meeting of council.

Stu.salkeld@pipestoneflyer.ca