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The bylaw overhaul would make it illegal to deliver unaddressed non-commercial mail to homes with a “no junk mail” sign, though the new rule would exempt newspapers, election flyers, and community association newsletters.

Members of the anti-abortion group told councillors under existing bylaws, they aren’t required to respect signs on mailboxes pleading for no flyers or junk mail.

Cameron Cote said the new rules will impact the ability of many groups to engage the community through mail.

“We’re excluding a wide number of groups, like non-profits, whether they’re the United Way or a local food bank, or just a private citizen who’s looking to raise concerns on a specific issue,” Cote said.

But councillors, including Ward 11 Coun. Brian Pincott said expanding the current rules to prohibit the delivery of non-commercial items to homes with a no flyer sign makes sense.

“This is the right thing to do,” Pincott said.

“People have to have the ability to say I don’t want this material on my property.”

The bylaw overhaul the committee unanimously endorsed Wednesday also include changes to backyard fire pits that would require a metal spark guard and increase fines for unsupervised fires or burning after 1 a.m. to a maximum of $750.

The city’s bylaw boss Alvin Murray said the mesh screens, which cost about $30 and are readily available at most hardware stores, are a response to concerns about fire pit safety.

When questioned by Coun. Pincott, Murray admitted zero fires in Calgary have been linked to backyard fire pits, prompting Pincott to question why administration is seeking a solution to a non-existent problem.

Murray said spark guards may also help people who are impacted by smoke from backyard fire pits — a common complaint in Calgary.

“One of the by-products of the spark guards that we’ve been told is that will contain the size of the fire, make it burn more intensely, thereby reducing the amount of smoke,” he said

AKlingbeil@postmedia.com