Neighbours unhappy as sheriff moves in
Residents are outraged that the Sheriff's Office has been opened in a residential area.
THE move of the Sheriff's Office from Stamford Hill to a property in Glenwood zoned for residential use, has raised concern amongst neighbouring residents.
Residents complain that business run from the office has become more of a nuisance with the Sheriff even carrying out auctions of cars from the property.
Resident, Guy Perrins, said: “The Sherriff has moved into a residential area and is conducting business from there without the required approvals. Neighbors are far from happy due to in part the over 50 cars that are parked on the road, pavements and middle islands for which the area is not suitable and also poses a traffic hazard. I cannot condone businesses being operated without the required city approvals. As the Sheriff of the Court as I understand the owners to be, they should know better than to do this and should be setting an example.”
A resident who wished not to be named, said: “Glenwood is full of entrepreneurs who work from home and that is the essence in this matter – working from home while living there. That is not the case here. This Sheriff has flouted the very laws he is supposed to uphold and enforce. There has been no re-zoning, and from what I have been informed from the council, there will not be. Our next step is to approach the Sheriff board and the Magistrate to enforce the Sheriff himself.”
Ward councillor Nicole Graham said a Section 79 notice had been issued to the property owner for illegal use.
“I met with the Sheriff last week and we discussed the matter. He indicated to me that he has applied for re-zoning, and wishes to work with the community. However, I am not sure that this is correct place for commercial zoning as the area is predominantly residential in terms of the spatial development framework,” she said.
Berea Mail attempted to speak to the Sheriff on Saturday, after being informed that an auction, which had been planned for 10am at the premises, was being moved to another venue. Despite leaving messages for him to return calls, the Sheriff has not been in contact with this newspaper to comment on the concerns raised by residents.
