Some bylaw disputes to be heard outside court

COLDSTREAM – Those going to court over the smaller things, such as animal and zoning complaints now have the option of bringing disputes to an independent adjudicator outside the traditional courtroom.

Starting Sept. 30, the District of Coldstream will join the bylaw adjudication system offered through the Ministry of Justice.

The new system is expected to save local governments money and eliminate the time and resources these cases draw out of the system.

The district has the power to determine which bylaws it wants to include and has chosen zoning, fire prevention, business, noise control, traffic and highway and snow removal and other similar bylaw disputes.