Hanover man starts shop construction without building permit

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This article was published 07/04/2021 (1870 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Beginning the construction of a shop without a permit could be a costly mistake for an RM of Hanover man.

Barry Bueckert, with property at 30083 30E in the RM of Hanover, had started building a 200 by 60 foot shop.

Concrete was poured and the shop walls were partially built.

On March 17, bylaw enforcement officer Stuart Penner drove by the location and noticed a structure in the process of being built. Hanover Planning Manager Jeremy Neufeld confirmed the shop didn’t have a building permit.

On March 18, Penner served a stop work order. According to Penner’s report, he tried to call Bueckert but couldn’t make contact. Penner talked to the construction crew, and said work would be on hold for a minimum of seven days. Penner allowed workers to finish supporting a wall to make sure it was safe. The report noted a fine could be issued for each day work continued.

Bueckert appeared before council and said he paid contractors to sort the permit work out for him. He said he was under the impression necessary permits were obtained.

Councillors were skeptical of Bueckert’s account, and planned to ask questions of contractors next meeting.

Reeve Stan Toews said the RM has a bylaw indicating the penalty for building a shop without a permit could cost double what a permit would normally cost, but said council could impose a higher cost. Toews said there isn’t a limit to the penalty council could charge.

The cost of a building permit depends on the construction value of the building.

Council doesn’t have the power to subpoena, Toews said, but said bylaw enforcement staff could talk to those involved.