Margaret Kostaras has lived on Beaver Crescent for 25 years. It's a quiet neighbourhood in the West Ferris area of North Bay and she claims that relationships are good between her and her neighbours.
However, last month the 55-year-old woman was shocked to receive a complaint about the two winter tent garages she has set up in front of her yard to protect her car and her son's during the winter months.
"I have never been more upset in my life, I was sick to my stomach because I found this so unfair," she said.
"We were going to take them down in the springtime anyway."
Kostaras believes the complaint comes from a new homeowner across the street.
"We put them up in the fall and no one complained until now and it was the beginning of April that I received a letter in my mailbox from the city saying that there has been a complaint and we have to take the tents down by April 11," she said.
"We were given less than a week."
Kostaras complied and took the two tents down. She says she felt bullied by the city when she was informed if she puts both of them back up, she could be sued or receive a fine of $5,000 from the City of North Bay.
"I am very disappointed because I drove a few streets down to a friend of mine and I saw a bunch of these tents also at the front of a house which got me thinking what kind of bylaw is this," she said.
BayToday reached out to the City of North Bay for reaction to the Kostaras claims.
Under the current By-law, the City claims that if Kostaras wants a tent for her vehicles they will need to be at the side or back of the house.
"I’ve touched base with both our bylaw enforcement and planning services departments on this. Section 3.24.2 of the City’s Zoning By-law 2015-30 does permit temporary garages in residential zones, but they are only permitted to be located in the side or rear yards in accordance with provisions, such as proper setbacks, according to the particular zone in which they are located," explained Gord Young, Communications Officer for the City of North Bay.
"Enforcement is not typically initiated by the City unless a complaint has been received. Additionally, tents or other obstructions are not permitted on a City right-of-way. A letter and follow-up site inspection are part of our standard procedure when working to ensure compliance with bylaws."
