Not only should a Guelph woman be allowed to repair bicycles and sell them out of her home in support of charities, as she’s been doing for the past 14 years, city officials should return a $1,900 fee she had to pay in order for her continued efforts to be considered.
That’s the overwhelming message heading to the city’s committee of adjustment on Thursday as it responds to requested zoning bylaw amendments that, if approved, would allow Mary Rife to restart the effort out of her Arkell Road home.
Rife shut down her charitable repairs and sales last month following a visit from city bylaw enforcement, which responded to a single complaint about her activities. During that visit, she learned she was violating a trio of bylaws – having a home occupation in her garage, having a permanent display and a sign indicating bikes for sale on her front lawn.
At that time, she was told that if she didn’t shut down her operation she’d be fined.
She has since applied for minor bylaw variances that would allow it to begin again. Those requests will be considered by the committee of adjustment on Thursday.
None of the 105 pieces of submitted correspondence spoke out against Rife’s requests, though a handful didn’t outright state a position on the matter. Many of them called on the city to reimburse the $1,900 fee required to file committee of adjustment requests.
Several of the letters come from people who know Rife, live near her or have had interactions with her through the years. Some come from people who live in other municipalities and have had no direct contact with her, but support her charitable work.
In a report to the committee, city staff recommend Rife’s requests be approved
Last year alone Rife repaired and sold nearly 300 bikes out of her Arkell Road home, raising over $25,000. She estimates she's raised more than $100,000 in the past four.
For the past few years, all donations have gone to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, a non-governmental organization that assists with AIDS and HIV-related grassroots projects in Africa.
The bicycle repair and sale endeavour was initially started when Rife’s parents moved in with her and her restless dad, Bob McNeish (or Biker Bob) needed something to do.
