Photo: City of Kelowna

Current condition of former Ponderosa Motel property.

One way or another, a former motel on Harvey Avenue, described as a blight, eyesore and a nuisance, will be coming down.

The Ponderosa Motel has been shut down since 2011, and since then, the site has become a haven for drug users, the marginalized and homeless.

Bylaw manager David Gazley says the three buildings are in an "extreme state of disrepair."

Since 2011, Gazley says the fire department has responded to four structure fires, police have been called to more than 110 complaints while bylaws have received 18 complaints since 2016.

With council's blessing, the owner will be given 30 days to demolish the buildings and remove the overgrowing vegetation.

If not, Gazley says the city will do it and bill the owner.

Coun. Luke Stack says he has heard from many residents asking why the Ponderosa property can't be cleaned up.

"In my opinion, this particular property has been a blight on our city for far too long," he said.

"I know the property owner, thanks to bylaw and the city, have been given so much opportunity to do this. It's almost like an insult to our city that they just leave it the way it is."

Coun. Gail Given agreed the property owner has been given ample opportunity to clean up the property, and has chosen not to.

"It's also clear to me the taxpayers of Kelowna continue to subsidize the activities that are happening on the property," said Given.

"We continue to pay for bylaw services, and for fire department responses. It really is quite ridiculous that taxpayers have to subsidize a property owner that isn't taking responsibility for their property."

Given said, left unattended, there is the prospect of loss of life on the property.

Coun. Brad Sieben added that when council was first sworn in four years ago, it had a mantra of firm but fair.

He says the city has been fair up until now, and now, it's time to be firm.