A half dozen dusty, abandoned-looking cars line the side of a road on Mitchell Island.
Despite complaints to the city, the cars remain there. Or, at times, they are moved after the city comes out to take a look, but then they are back again a few days later.
At this point, the cars are covered in thick dust and many have morning glory winding its way through the bodies of the cars.
The property is owned by Hayer Demolition & Recycling, but the cars on the 12000 block of Mitchell Road are not theirs. In fact, they have complained to the city multiple times about getting the cars removed.
The city confirmed bylaws pertaining to unsightly premises, including not allowing derelict vehicles, apply to both residential and commercial properties.
A derelict vehicle is one that doesn’t have valid insurance to be operated on the road, or it can’t be moved on its own power or is missing parts such as an engine, doors, a hood, tires, lights or windows, said city spokesperson Clay Adams.
The exception to the bylaw is one derelict vehicle is allowed per property, but it must be parked or stored on the property, Adams added.
When contacted by the Richmond News about the seemingly abandoned cars, Adams said city staff will “investigate the situation at that location.”
