The encampment at Brookside seems to be growing with cars, boats and trailers now parked alongside the tents and the Province has done nothing to enforce Cobourg’s by-laws on the property. But now, Mayor Cleveland has written to the Province asking that “they take the necessary steps to become compliant with all municipal by-laws and regulations within the jurisdiction of the Town of Cobourg for the property at 390 King Street East, the former Brookside Youth Centre Property.” According to an announcement from the Town, the Letter from Mayor Cleveland “addresses the health and safety of the property, lack of maintenance and adherence to community standards.” The announcement explains the legal reasons that mean that Cobourg’s “Municipal Law Enforcement Department has therefore been unable to act on Municipal By-laws since the inception of the encampment in September of 2023.”
This is the first time that the Town has publicly asked the Province to act to clear the encampment.
Mayor Cleveland says “As the Mayor of Cobourg, and Cobourg Council, we believe that the Province and IO should be making health and safety of the property a priority, including being a responsible property owner and a good neighbour to those surrounding homeowners and all Cobourg residents and Ontario taxpayers.”
The announcement from the Town states:
On Monday, April 29, 2024, Mayor Cleveland on behalf of Cobourg Municipal Council submitted a letter to the Premier of Ontario, Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and representatives of Infrastructure Ontario, requesting that the Province and IO work collaboratively with the Town of Cobourg in order to adhere to and comply with any orders or notices issued by the Town on the property.
Additionally, the Town of Cobourg has forwarded the significant concerns regarding the damming of the creek that runs through the property to the appropriate authorities for their urgent response.
It’s not known if the Emergency Closed Session Council meeting called at 8:30 am this morning is related to this announcement but it’s likely.
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