A Chilliwack resident was concerned enough about plastic trash and debris drifting from a nearby construction site that she lodged a complaint at city hall.
Nikole Tazzioli recently moved into a home on Marble Hill Road with a beautiful riparian area out back. She contacted The Progress about her growing concern that errant litter and plastic wrap from a nearby construction site was threatening a nearby forested area with a stream running through it.
“The city has apparently been out here once to warn them, but it is looking horrible again,” Tazzioli said.
The developer is Westbow Construction, which is building new homes at the site on Tahoma Place, off Marble Hill Road.
The garbage had not “yet” blown completely into the greenery, but some of the plastic wrap can be seen poking out of the nearby vegetation in a photo of the site.
“It’s just such a shame,” the neighbour said. Another resident has taken to going for walks in the area carrying a garbage bag to pick up the trash the workers have been leaving behind, she said.
The litter issue was reported to City of Chilliwack a few weeks ago, and staff are investigating.
Westbow Construction was asked to comment on the matter.
“We are aware of the situation, and are awaiting specialized equipment to safely remove the construction debris,” according to a “Westbow project manager” in an emailed statement. “Westbow is always fully committed to responsible site management.”
City of Chilliwack spokesperson Liana Wiebe confirmed they had received complaints.
“When a complaint is received regarding development construction, a staff member will visit the site and work with the developer to bring the site into compliance with city bylaws and applicable provincial legislation,” she said in an emailed statement.
Developers are responsible for cleaning up any debris associated with their sites, the city rep stated.
While city staff respond to complaints as they are received, they also conduct site inspections, and require compliance from the contractors in order to obtain any subsequent site permit approvals.
They do have enforcement tools with teeth at their disposal.
“If a site is continually non-compliant, tools such as stop-work orders can be considered,” Wiebe added.
Staff are continuing to “work with the developer” in this case, to ensure the area near the hillside forest is cleaned up and the site remains compliant.
READ MORE: Woman outraged by garbage laden campsite
READ MORE: Volunteer cleanup finds trashed riparian zones
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