Photo: Hanna town council read a report Feb. 10 on the measures their bylaw officer took regarding an unsightly, unsafe and potentially hazardous property located at 210 4 Ave. West in Hanna. Screenshot

The Town of Hanna council read a report from its bylaw enforcement department that included a Municipal Government Act (MGA) emergency clean-up order. The report was presented at the Feb. 10 regular meeting of council.

As part of the regular department managers’ reports, Bylaw Enforcement Officer Skye Suntjens submitted a report on the measures she took regarding an unsightly, unsafe and potentially hazardous property located at 210 4 Ave. West in Hanna. Suntjens stated in her report that her actions took place between Aug. 31, 2025, and Feb. 4, 2026.

“On Aug. 31, 2025, the town received complaints alleging extreme property neglect, accumulation of debris, derelict trailers and safety concerns,” stated Suntjens’ report to council. “Repeated inspections confirmed extensive unsightly conditions, including garbage, demolition debris, derelict trailers, appliances and materials scattered throughout the property.”

The bylaw officer stated she investigated ownership of the property. “The registered owner was deceased,” stated the bylaw officer. “Family members were intermittently involved.

“Occupancy issues included individuals living in trailers on the property. Enforcement was complicated by disputes over notice, appeals, cooperation and safety concerns.”

Suntjens noted in her report that the ongoing situation evolved into an enforcement matter. “Multiple MGA enforcement orders, emergency orders and notices of entry were issued and posted between Sept. 2025 and Jan. 2026,” stated Suntjens’ report.

“Several extensions were granted to allow voluntary compliance from occupiers, resulting in some clean-up being carried out by occupiers of the property. One notice of entry resulted in the RCMP being called to assist during enforcement due to non-cooperation and safety concerns.

“Two holiday trailers were towed from the property. Clean-up efforts by town-hired contractors were delayed multiple times due to access issues and safety risks.”

However, that wasn’t the end of the situation. “Despite repeated extensions and orders, full compliance was not achieved,” the bylaw officer noted.

“The property experienced a fire on Jan. 13, causing damage to a holiday trailer. Two fires had occurred previously on the property in the past couple of years.

“The development officer/fire chief advised that the structure and all remaining materials be removed immediately to prevent further fires.”

It was at this point that the bylaw officer noted an MGA emergency order came into effect. “On Jan. 20, an MGA emergency order was issued to remove all unsafe, hazardous materials, structures and vegetation,” stated Suntjens in her report.

“The town-hired contractors completed full demolition of the house, removal of debris, unsafe materials, vegetation and structures, tree removal and removal of fencing.” Suntjens also provided councillors with a number of photos illustrating the “before” and “after” condition of the property in question.

Mayor Danny Povaschuk ensured his peers had reviewed the report. “Has everyone seen Skye’s report?” asked the mayor. Councillors confirmed they had and agreed the lot looks better after the clean-up, with Coun. Paul Hunter adding, “The lot looks good.”

Povaschuk explained the town had to pay up front for the clean-up. “There’s been a lot of people asking about that lot as far as who paid for it, and I think for clarification right now the town has paid for it,” said Povaschuk.

The mayor explained all clean-up expenses can be placed on that property’s tax roll, meaning the town has other methods of recovering those costs. It was noted at the meeting that total clean-up costs are not yet available.

“But it is a huge eyesore in our community that is gone,” added Povaschuk. Councillors unanimously accepted the report as information.