Squabbling neighbours, particularly in an Etobicoke neighbourhood, may force a change in the way bylaw complaints are handled.
Councillor Stephen Holyday is bringing a motion forward next week asking staff to find a way to better deal with dueling homeowners, rather than immediately sending out a bylaw officer.
He's concerned people are abusing the system because they are ticked off with each other.
47 complaints were filed over the summer against 18 homeowners all within a block of each other.
Some examples of the minor complaints lodged include someone's grass being slightly too long, a shingle was loose, or a garbage can was a touch out of place.
Holyday says this is well beyond normal, especially when the complaints are being made in a specific cluster of a community.
He wants at least one alternative examined that can help resolve any tensions. "It's my hope that it would be an external agency. For instance, there's an organization called St. Stephen's House that offers community mediation services to anyone that contacts them."
Holyday notes St. Stephen's House offers its services for free but he will also be asking staff to report on any costs that may be associated with changing the complaints process.
The issue will go to the Licensing and Standards Committee next week.