Peachland council is being asked to take formal steps to deal with two large retaining walls on a property in the Upper Princeton neighbourhood that were built without permission in 2019.
A staff report says the walls, at 5475 Pierce Street, were made from creosote-soaked hydro poles, materials known to be toxic. They were built on a steep slope above the access road to the community香蕉视频直播檚 water treatment plant. Staff say they were not designed or approved by engineers, and the property owner never got the required building or development permits, even after being told to do so many times.
Since the problem was first discovered, the district has spent six years trying to get the owner to fix the issue. Staff have sent letters, met with the owner, given multiple deadlines, and offered help. Although a permit application was eventually submitted, it was incomplete and never met the necessary requirements.
Recently, the owner proposed a new plan that would leave the walls in place but reduce their height. Staff rejected this because it does not meet safety standards and comes after too many delays.
It香蕉视频直播檚 believed the walls could be dangerous, especially if heavy rain or extreme weather causes them to collapse. If that happened, it could block access to the water treatment plant. Staff also say there is a serious risk to the environment. If the slope gives way, debris could fall into Peachland Creek, which is a fish-bearing stream.
Staff are asking council to declare the walls unsafe and a nuisance, and to order the owner to remove them and fix the slope. This would include replanting the area and making sure it's stable.
If council approves the order, the property owner will get written notice and have 14 days to request a review. If no review is requested, or if council upholds the order after a review, the owner will have 90 days to complete the required work. If the owner still doesn香蕉视频直播檛 act, the district can do the work and charge the costs back to the owner.
Staff say a formal order is necessary because years of warnings and chances to comply have failed.
