City council has upheld a staff decision denying the owner of a rooming house a renewal of his business licence.

Dennis Alex Hildebrand had an annual licence for the property at 911 Bernard Avenue from 2010 until the end of 2021. 

It was not renewed in 2022, and in September of that year, the property was rezoned. Hildebrand applied for a rooming house licence in December 2022 but was denied under the new zoning. He applied again in the spring of 2023 and was again turned down.

He appeared before council at its July 22 meeting to appeal the denials.

Staff told council that the licence was cancelled after the fee wasn't paid.

"We give you so many months to pay it and if it doesn't get paid we cancel the licence," said Dean Strachan, suburban and rural planning manager.

Hildebrand said he was involved in a vehicle crash in November 2021 that seriously affected his mental health.

"It was during that time...that I didn't bother checking my email. I feel it's unfair to have a business licence cancelled because of that."

Hildebrand added he was unaware of the zoning change to his property.

Strachan said staff have attempted to work with Hildebrand to bring the property into conformance with the zoning.

"In 2023 and again 2024 we offered to accept it as a seven-unit apartment building...the applicant unfortunately did not want to pursue that and denied both offers."

Mayor Tom Dyas urged Hildebrand to work with staff to allow the property to conform with zoning regulations.