In a proactive effort to address the increasing number of boarded-up vacant buildings in Windsor, city officials have revised their property standards bylaw. These updates aim to clarify and strengthen existing regulations regarding vacant properties across residential, industrial, and commercial sectors.
Rob Vani, the municipal senior manager of building inspections, highlighted one of the significant changes: buildings not suffering from fire or storm damage cannot be boarded for any reason. Currently, there are 299 vacant buildings listed amid active enforcement actions, with 171 of those classified as residential.
The new regulations extend the timeframe for responding to fire damage and removing any boarded-up doors and windows from 120 days to 182 days. This timeframe now aligns with the city’s vacant home tax bylaw, which particularly focuses on the west end of Windsor. In cases of vandalism—like broken windows—temporary solutions, such as using plywood, remain permissible, but property owners must act swiftly to repair any damage.
The city council approved these bylaw changes in September, with enforcement commencing late the following month. Vani emphasized that addressing vacant buildings is an ongoing challenge, but the current number is significantly lower than what it was during the period from 2008 to 2015.
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This initiative also reflects the city’s broader aim to revitalize its core. A notable case is the old Boom Boom Room on Ouellette Avenue, which had long been a visual blight. Following discussions with city officials, the property owner decided to remove the plywood covering the building, with hopes of attracting new tenants.
Downtown Coun. Renaldo Agostino, who previously managed the nightclub, referred to the structure as a prototypical example of blight in the area. He expressed satisfaction with the recent developments, noting that the new regulations provide bylaw inspectors with more robust enforcement capabilities. “The frustration comes when people don’t respond,” Agostino stated. “This was put in place to make sure that those people understand that if you’re not going to pick up the phone, don’t worry, we’re going to get the work done — and send you the bill.”
Vani noted that vacant buildings are dispersed throughout Windsor, covering various types, including residential and commercial properties. However, properties owned by the Ambassador Bridge fall outside the jurisdiction of the new bylaw due to ongoing legal disputes. “Those buildings do all have current orders, and those orders are still being litigated through the courts,” Vani explained.
Concerns regarding derelict homes are echoed by residents in neighborhoods like Sandwich Town, where newly elected Ward 2 Coun. Frazier Fathers described boarded-up homes as an eyesore. He noted that the presence of such properties fosters a negative perception of the community and can perpetuate the so-called “broken window effect.” According to Fathers, who also works as a housing policy consultant, this visual decay creates a misleading narrative about the area, especially since Sandwich Town had been grappling with the issue for two decades.
As the city diligently works to enhance its property standards, the aim is clear: to foster a healthier, more appealing urban environment for all Windsor residents.
