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CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
April 23, 2004 | |
Author: |
Pattie Hayes | |
Phone No.: |
604-873-7787 | |
RTS No.: |
04177 | |
CC File No.: |
2701 | |
Meeting Date: |
May 20, 2004 |
TO: |
Standing Committee on Planning and Environment |
FROM: |
City Building Inspector |
SUBJECT: |
3247 Austrey Avenue
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RECOMMENDATION
THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the title to the property at 3247 Austrey Avenue, Amended Lot 38, Blocks 78, 81, 82, and 85, District Lot 37, Plan 1889 , PID 014-240-513 in order to warn prospective purchasers that this building has been used as an illegal marijuana grow operation on two occasions and there are contraventions of the Vancouver Building and Electrical By-laws related to this unapproved use.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
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 to be a contravention of a By-law relating to the construction or safety of buildings; or as a result of that condition, a building or structure is unsafe or unlikely to be usable for its expected purpose; or 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.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to request approval to file a 336D Notice against the title to
3247 Austrey Avenue to warn prospective purchasers of By-law violations.
BACKGROUND
The building at 3247 Austrey Avenue was constructed in 1946 and is approved as a single family dwelling. The building is located in an RS-1 (One Family Dwelling) District.
DISCUSSION
In August of 2000, this building was closed by the Vancouver Police Drug Squad and City Inspectors because it was being used as an illegal marijuana grow operation. The power and gas to the building were disconnected and the owners were advised that they were required to go through the inspection and re-occupancy permit process. A re-occupancy permit was issued on December 13, 2000 for this building.
The owners then subsequently sold this property in September of 2003.
In March of 2004, the Vancouver Police reported that this building was again being used as a grow operation. The services to the building were disconnected again and the new owner has been asked to come into City Hall to meet with staff to discuss the situation.
The owner will be advised that the departmental policy with respect to "repeat" grow ops, is to request Council approval, for the filing of a warning notice on title of these properties until all deficiencies are corrected.
CONCLUSION
Although the building is not currently listed for sale, it is recommended that a 336D Notice be filed against the title to the property so that any prospective purchasers will be warned that the building has been used previously as a marijuana grow operation on two occasions and that there are violations of the Vancouver Building and Electrical By-laws related to this unapproved use.
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