The Town of Oliver has given the owner of a property on Highway 97 a deadline to clean it up, or else the town will do it for him. 

The property, which is located at 6837 Main St., was the site of a house fire earlier in 2024. 

In addition to the fire damaged house, multiple derelict trailers and vehicles along with piles of garbage have been accumulating on the property. 

The state of the property has led to multiple complaints stretching back into 2023, with two pages worth of history on the property presented as part of the report on the property to town council on Aug. 27. 

"This has been a long process and I know I've received more comments verbally that I've passed on, and I'm sure everyone else on council has had the same experience," said Coun. David Mattes. 

In 2023, bylaw officers responded to complaints about garbage, and the owner made efforts to clear things up by the end of September that year, according to the report presented

However, by November, complaints had started up again, with people comparing the property to a wrecking yard and bylaw counting up to 18 derelict vehicles on the property. 

Since then, some of the vehicles have been removed, but the house remains unsecured after the fire and presents a concern for residents. 

Town council voted unanimously to approve an order for remedial action on the property, declaring it a nuisance and unsafe for the community. 

The owner now has to apply for a demolition permit within 30 days of being served with notice, with demolition done within 60 days as well as the removal of all the contents of the fire damaged house. 

The owner also has 30 days to remove all the garbage and derelict vehicles on the property. 

If the owner does, council approved having the town hire a contractor to deal with the problems, with the costs being billed to the property owner. 

"I think its very important that we move in this direction and I would also ask if we could do it on some other properties," said Mattes.