ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: June 25, 2001
Author/Local: C .Robbins 873-7535
RTS No. 02170
CC File No.2701
P&E: July 26, 2001
TO: |
Standing Committee on Planning and Environment |
FROM: |
City Building Inspector |
SUBJECT: |
Demolition of Nuisance/Dangerous Building at
|
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council declare that the building and site at 4124 West 14th Avenue, are a nuisance and dangerous to public safety pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter
B. THAT Council approve the attached Resolution and order the Registered
owner of the property to demolish the building, 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 a copy of the Resolution being served pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter
C. THAT in the event of the failure of the owner to comply with the order of
Council, Council further orders and hereby authorizes the City Building
Inspector to have the work outlined in paragraph B above carried out at the expense of the owner
COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the
foregoing.
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 the public safety or health and by such by-law or resolution, to order that building to be removed by the owner, agent, leasee 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
This is a single family dwelling that was constructed in 1912. It is located in an RS-1 One Family Dwelling District.
The property owner has occasionally resided on site, but primarily, the building has been vacant for over ten years.
Since 1995, the City has received complaints about the untidy and overgrown yards. The owner has failed to comply with the City's orders to clean up the debris and discarded materials from the site and to cut the overgrowth. As a result, the City has hired private contractors to do the work at the owner's expense in accordance with the provisions of the Untidy Premises By-law. Because the costs incurred were not paid, they were applied to the tax roll.
In February of 2000, the City Building Inspector requested that City Council declare the dilapidated condition of the roof and the lack of gutters/eaves troughs at this address a nuisance and require the owner to provide roof drainage so as to prevent a concentrated flow of water from spilling in an uncontrolled manner onto the sidewalk between this property and the adjacent property. The resolution was passed and the owner was ordered to correct the deficiency. However, the owner again failed to comply with the order of Council and the work was done by a private contractor at the owner's expense.
A search through the Property Tax office revealed that the taxes for this property were not paid in 2000 and are in arrears.
During a reinspection following an order to board-up the building, the District Property Use Inspector was able to gain access inside. The inspection revealed that the interior of the house is in a deplorable condition and is full of garbage and discarded materials. There is a large hole in the roof that has allowed rain water in. In addition, there are signs that animals such as squirrels and racoons have been in the building.
The neighbouring residents have submitted complaints about the poor condition and appearance of the building and are concerned that squatters may be gaining access.
DISCUSSION
In its present dilapidated and unsafe condition, and without any management or control being exercised by the property owner, the building and site are detrimental to the neighbourhood. The building and property are in violation of the Vancouver Building, Standards of Maintenance and Untidy Premises By-laws.
It is therefore recommended that City Council declare the building and site a nuisance and order the owner to demolish the building, remove all demolition debris and provide a chain-link fence around the perimeter of the property to prevent trespass and/or dumping.
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R E S O L U T I O N
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Vancouver:
1. THAT the building and site situated at 4124 West 14th Avenue, Lot 6 of Lot 2 Block 165 District Lot 540 Plan 4248 PID 007-058-195 are a nuisance and dangerous to public safety pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter
2. THAT the owner is hereby ordered to demolish the building, 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 a copy of the Resolution being served pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter
C. 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 authorized
to have the work outlined in the preceding paragraph carried out at the
expense of the owner. The City Building Inspector may dispose of any resulting debris by selling to the contractor any material he may agree to purchase and delivering the rest to a disposal site.
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