The city's bylaw department is investigating the state of a Porter Creek property after a neighbour called on city council to take action against the property owner so the lot can be cleaned up.

"We have made multiple complaints," Doug Rutherford told council members Monday evening after describing 15 Maple St. as an "eyesore" that has been full of old vehicles and serves as a commercial space for cutting wood.

Rutherford, who said he was representing the views of a number of neighbours in the area, noted that with no one living there, he can't just simply walk across the street and ask the owners to clean it up.

Calling the bylaw department didn't seem to help either. Rutherford said the bylaw officer he talked to basically commented that he couldn't understand why the owner hadn't cleaned it up, after being told to do so previously.

"Maybe it's time to stop being Mr. Nice Guy," he said, arguing that if the mayor or a councillor lived on the street, it's not likely it would be a problem.

Over the years, he said, going to bylaw officials has produced few or no results.

Since 2005, the bylaw office has recorded seven complaints about the property, ranging from dogs running at large to extensive rubbish being on the land.

The most recent complaint came in May 2008 when the bylaw department was called about a flatbed that was parked on the road.

Rutherford told council he wasn't pleased with the city's waiting another three days before the vehicle could be ordered to be moved.

Bylaw services manager John Taylor said that legally, the city has to show it waited 72 hours before it had the vehicle moved.

"That's why we chalk the tire," he said, noting officers are also sent out with digital cameras that can be used for evidence. "A picture's worth a thousand words."

Taylor visited the property on Tuesday, following the complaints to council, and said an investigation is continuing.

Taylor and Rob Fendrick, the city's director of administrative services, said it can be a lengthy process to have a property cleaned up.

At the same time, Taylor said, there's a bit of a time crunch now with September, and potentially snow, on its way.

"We don't want to take it from this year to the next year," Taylor said.

The city could issue a warning to the property owner stating he or she is in contravention of the maintenance bylaw and has to have the site cleaned up.

If that's not done after 30 days under the bylaw, the owner would then be charged and face a court order that could see city crews do the work, with the cost charged back to the property owner. If the property owner doesn't pay the bill, it could then be added to the property taxes.