Mustard Seed operations at North Flats site can continue until March 3, city staffer says

“This was observed and documented, and a ‘Notice of Non-Compliance’ was sent to the Mustard Seed,” he wrote in the email sent Friday morning.

“After continued observations of non-compliance, a Stop Order was issued on February 6th,” he added.

“There is a 21-day appeal period on this. Within the order, it was specified that all operations must be discontinued 25 days from the order date.”

The email was shared with CHAT News on the condition of anonymity.

The email comes to light amid confusion over why The Mustard Seed continued to offer services on Friday despite the understanding it was required to cease operations at midnight.

Residents who have raised concerns over the behaviour of those who use the organization’s services at 503A Allowance Avenue Southeast say they are frustrated and confused.

The Mustard Seed will be failing to comply with the stop order if they continue operations after March 3 at the North Flats site, wrote Sissons in his email.

Should that occur, Sissons writes, “the next step in the enforcement process would be a Violation Ticket under Provincial Offences Procedure Act. At this point it is with the Alberta Court of Justice.”

A city spokesperson acknowledged The Seed was still operating despite a Jan. 16 deadline to stop operations under the refusal notice.

“We are aware that activities are still occurring on site and Bylaw Enforcement and PDS are working towards compliance with respect to the Development Permit decision of the Municipal Planning Commission,” the spokesperson said.

“Beyond this, Bylaw and PDS are unable to comment on enforcement files as these are not public information.”

Coun. Shila Sharps, who sits on the Municipal Planning Commission that unanimously turned down The Mustard Seed’s development permit application, said she believed the operations came into play right away.

“I initially understood that the notice regarding the cessation of operations was effective immediately,” she said in a statement provided to CHAT News.

“I believed that a reasonable timeframe would be provided, especially since there was an MPC hearing in my mind they anticipated this outcome and as such prepared for it.”

Sharps, who has supported an ongoing effort to find a new all-in-one location for The Seed’s services, hailed the extra time granted to the non-profit as “disheartening” and confusing.

”This lack of clarity has indeed left me confused, and I can only assume that it has caused confusion for others as well. If this misunderstanding rests solely with me, I accept that,” she said.

“However, I am genuinely concerned for the residents in that area and the impact this situation may have on them. I feel like MPC heard them, we responded and now that has not been executed.”

Sissons did confirm in his email that the city clerk did not receive any appeal of the planning body’s decision from The Mustard Seed. A city spokesperson also confirmed there was no appeal.

The office of MLA Justin Wright did not have any further information.

“This office also has not been made aware of any status changes or updates,” a spokesperson told CHAT News.

The Seed has not responded to multiple requests for comment sent since Thursday night.

— With files from Kevin Kyle

by Eli J. Ridder

Mustard Seed operations at North Flats site can continue until March 3, city staffer says

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