Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Planning and Environment

FROM:

City Building Inspector

SUBJECT:

Demolition of Nuisance/Dangerous Buildings at
2600 - 2614 West 4th Avenue and 2015 - 2017 Trafalgar Street

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter enables Council by resolution or by-law to declare any building, in or upon any private or public lands a nuisance or dangerous to public safety or health and by such by-law or resolution, to order that building to be removed by the owner, agent, lessee or occupier thereof.

Section 336D of the Vancouver Charter provides a mechanism whereby the City of Vancouver can warn prospective purchasers of contraventions of City By-laws relating to land or a building or structure. It provides that if the City Building Inspector observes a condition that he considers is of a nature that a purchaser, unaware of the contravention, would suffer a significant loss or expense if the By-law were enforced against him, he may recommend to City Council that a resolution be considered directing the City Clerk to file a notice against the Title to the property in the Land Title Office.

BACKGROUND

There are two vacant buildings on this corner site as follows:

2600 - 2614 West 4th Avenue - previously occupied as retail with 2 dwelling units
2015 - 2017 Trafalgar Street - previously occupied as 2 dwelling units

These buildings have been vacant since 1997 and have been slated for demolition pending redevelopment of the site. Since they were vacated, this department has received numerous complaints from neighbouring residents concerning the untidy condition of the yards due to the dumping of materials, discarded materials and garbage. In addition, we have had frequent complaints about the buildings being open and accessible to transients and in danger of being set on fire. The buildings are plastered with graffiti and flyers and are an eyesore.

Numerous orders have been issued to the property owners requiring that the site be cleaned-up and that the buildings be secured. The owners have failed to comply with the City’s orders and the work was done by a private contractor, hired by the City.

DISCUSSION

The owners obtained a building permit (BU405231) on January 26, 2000 for construction of a new 4 storey mixed use building at this site, however, to date, have not obtained a permit for demolition of the existing buildings. In addition, the owners have not responded to our recent correspondence requesting that they demolish the existing buildings and clean up the site.

The Certified Professional for the project has advised the City that there are financial problems that are preventing the proposed development from proceeding.

In their present state, and without any control or management being exercised by the property owners, the buildings are a nuisance and dangerous to public safety. They are in violation of the Vancouver Building, Standards of Maintenance and Untidy Premises By-laws.

It is therefore recommended that City Council declare these buildings a nuisance and order the owners to demolish the buildings, remove all demolition debris and provide a chain-link fence around the perimeter of the property to prevent trespass and dumping.

In addition, it is recommended that a 336D Notice be filed against the Certificate of Title to the property in order to warn any prospective purchasers of Council’s Resolution.

- - - - -

In the Matter of Section 324A and 336D of the

Vancouver Charter and 2600 - 14 West 4th Avenue and

2015 - 2017 Trafalgar Street

R E S O L U T I O N

Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Vancouver:

1. THAT the two buildings situated on the corner site at 2600 - 2614 West 4th Avenue and 2015 - 2017 Trafalgar Street, Lot 1 Block 11, District Lot 192, Plan 774, PID 015-124-835 are declared to be a nuisance and dangerous to public safety.

2. THAT the owners are hereby ordered to pull down and demolish the buildings, remove the resulting demolition debris and discarded materials from the site and provide a chain-link fence around the perimeter of the property within 30 days of the date of a copy of this Resolution being served pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter.

3. THAT in the event that the owner does not comply with the order set forth in the preceding paragraph, the City Building Inspector is hereby ordered and authorized to pull down and demolish the buildings, remove the resulting demolition debris and discarded materials from the site and provide a chain–link fence around the perimeter of the property at the cost of the owners, and may dispose of the debris by selling to the demolition contractor any material he may agree to purchase and delivering the rest to a disposal site.

4. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the Certificate of Title to the properties at 2600 - 2614 West 4th Avenue and 2015 - 2017 Trafalgar Street, in order to warn any prospective purchasers that as a result of Council’s Resolution and the violations of the Vancouver Building, Standards of Maintenance and Untidy Premises By-laws, the purchaser could suffer a significant expense if the by-laws and/or the order of Council were enforced against him.

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