The slow process to move out of a Leduc condo complex is underway after safety concerns and fire code violations forced residents to leave.
Residents of the Bellavera condo complex have been told to leave by the end of March, but questions about how the building could have ended up this unsafe still abound.
When the first phase of the complex was complete, the city of Leduc issued a partial occupancy permit. The conditions of that permit (including a temporary fire exit, a 24/ 7 fire watch, and to continue construction of phase two) were adhered to for a number of months, but in December, things started to slip.
"In December, we did an inspection of the premises and determined that they were deficient in meeting the conditions of the occupancy permit," said Mike Pieters, the City of Leduc's Infrastructure and Planning GM.
The city of Leduc issued an order to the owners to fix the deficiencies by February, but that didn't happen. The city says it has spent $150,000 keeping the complex safe and that was unsustainable. Now, officials says they don't know who they are dealing with, which has led to the current situation.
Meanwhile, residents say that from day one they noticed deficiencies like the power not working and no heat at times. And they're upset that the trouble was allowed to get this bad.
"I blame the city of Leduc for even allowing people to move into this complex," said one resident, "It should never have taken place."
Some homeowners also claim their titles were never cleared so they may not even legally own their homes.
One woman who has worked with Kevyn Frederick, the man leading Voipus Developments - the company behind Bellavera Green, alleges financial issues over reserve funds for buildings associated with him.
And when it comes to the building in question, Jo-Anne McGillivray offered residents this advice in an e-mail: "I would commence immediate legal action and look at all sources listed."
with files from Vinesh Pratap
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