Bylaw amendment would outlaw sitting or laying on downtown Penticton sidewalks

PENTICTON – Penticton’s bylaw services are looking for amendments to the city’s good neighbour bylaw, one of which would make anyone sitting or laying in the downtown’s major streets “an obstruction."

The amendments are set to come before council at next week’s regular meeting on May 21.

In a report prepared for council, Bylaw Services Supervisor Tina Siebert noted the city is fielding 6,000 enquiries annually, with a steady increase in calls or service related to social nuisance issues.

Now, with two new community safety bylaw officers who started work May 1, the bylaw department wants to provide a “more focussed approach to addressing current issues in the community.”

One amendment seeking council approval would redefine “obstruction” to include anyone sitting or laying on a street between the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Ellis Street, the 200, 300 and 400 blocks of Martin Street and all of Main Street from the 100 to 700 blocks, inclusive, between May 1 and September 30.

Other amendments being proposed to council include changes to the definition of “structure” in the bylaw, the addition of light filtration regulations and a regulation restricting the connection of a recreational vehicle to the city’s sewer system.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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