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An overhaul to regulations falling under provincial legislation could produce a new tool for municipalities to combat vacant properties. The Modernized Municipal Government Act prescribes a number of new assessment sub-classes, allowing cities to apply different property tax rates for different types of non-residential property. If implemented by Alberta and Edmonton, owners of vacant commercial properties could be hit by punitive taxes.
The City has long been lobbying for the power to levy financial penalties on owners of derelict properties, the existence of which is a constant thorn in the side of neighbourhoods trying to revitalize their image. The Blue Chicago at Stony Plain Road and 142 Street and the former Arlington Apartments site at 100 Avenue and 106 Street have been singled out as offending gaps in the streetscape.
The changes would give the City greater flexibility in applying property taxes, with Councillor Mike Nickel suggesting the introduction of time-based measures that would see higher rates for properties that have been vacant longer. The draft regulations were released for public view on Monday and will remain available for public comment until September 22.
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