Council approves financial grant for homeowners affected by blast

Written By JOSHUA SANTOS

Homeowners affected by the house explosion in early February were given a gift in kind by Caledon Council. 

Caledon Fire and Emergency Services responded to a reported house fire at 9 Maple Grove Road in Caledon Village. Town staff note that a total of 10 homes were cited with unsafe building orders, nine of which may require building permits for remedial work.

In a motion by Ward 1 regional coun. Ian Sinclair, and seconded by area coun. Lynn Kiernan, council unanimously approved a lieu grant of waving building permit fees to homes at 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15 Maple Grove Road and 1620 McKim Place.

“This is for the homes that have been damaged by the gas explosions that happened a couple of Sundays back, on February 3rd, and what we're trying to do is help the residents,” said Mayor Allan Thompson. “This our way of helping our community.”

One man was pronounced dead in a home explosion as officers found debris of his house littered throughout the neighbourhood. OPP officers have to evacuate 30 to 35 people as their homes were severely damaged. About 22 surrounding homes were damaged with the aforementioned homes severely damaged.

Town staff note the grant in lieu of waving building permits is projected to total $15,000. It will be funded by the corporate grants account. They will also file property assessment applications, under Section 357 of the Municipal Act, on behalf of the property owners for the nine properties listed above, to assist with any property tax assessment changes that will result in a reduction in 2019 property taxes.

They will also waive late payment fees for taxes to 60 days after the Town has provided written noticed has been provided to the homeowner of the occupancy status.

Town staff note that as of Feb. 7 all the properties affected by Sunday's house explosion on Maple Grove Road have been released to their owners. Many of those homes have been re-occupied but some have been fenced and secured as they will require further inspection and remediation before owners can move back in. 

They also note that all the properties listed above were required to complete a detailed structural assessment from a professional engineer, to determine whether further remedial work is required to the dwellings prior to re-occupancy. The Town awaits receipts of the assessment reports to verify next steps.

Further, taxes may be adjusted resulting in a reduced cost as homeowners cannot occupy their property for a period expected to be three months.