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CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
April 7, 2005 | |
Author: |
Pattie Hayes | |
Phone No.: |
604-873-7787 | |
RTS No.: |
05077 | |
CC File No.: |
2701 | |
Meeting Date: |
April 28, 2005 |
TO: |
Standing Committee on Planning and Environment |
FROM: |
City Building Inspector |
SUBJECT: |
7468 Inverness Street - Warning to Prospective Purchasers |
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the title to the property at 7468 Inverness Street (Lot 27, Block 24, District Lot 200, Plan 2591, LD 36) in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are contraventions of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to this building.
B. THAT the Director of Legal Services is hereby authorized, in her discretion, to commence a legal action or proceeding in relation to the premises located at 7468 Inverness Street (Lot 27, Block 24, District Lot 200, Plan 2591, LD 36) and may, in her discretion, seek injunctive relief in that action or proceeding, in order to bring this building into compliance with City By-laws.
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.
Sections 334 and 571 of the Vancouver Charter allow the City to seek injunctive relief for any By-law contravention.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to request approval to file a 336D Notice against the title to 7468 Inverness Street to warn prospective purchasers of By-law violations and to request approval to seek injunctive relief to bring the building into compliance with the by-laws.
BACKGROUND
The property addressed as 7468 Inverness Street is approved as a one family dwelling and is located in an RS-1 (One Family Dwelling) District. This building was constructed in 1999 by the current owners.
As a result of a routine inspection, it was reported that an approximate 300 square foot second storey deck addition with a partial cover over, was erected without permit or approval to the rear of the building in contravention of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws.
The owners were sent a letter in July of 2000 to make application for the required permits or remove the unapproved work. A Development Permit was applied for and then refused in April of 2001 by the Director of Planning as it did not meet the requirements set out in the by-law. A subsequent appeal to the Board of Variance was disallowed in July of 2001. Further correspondence was sent to the owners for the removal of this unapproved work. Upon re-inspection it was reported that the approved addition with cover over was still existing. Charges were laid and the owners were then found guilty and fined in Provincial Court in November of 2001.
A follow-up inspection was carried out and it was reported that the 300 square foot addition to the rear deck and the partial cover over were still existing. A new order was again sent to the owners in July of 2004 to remove the unapproved addition to the rear. In March of 2005 the owners were again found guilty in Provincial Court and received a second fine.
DISCUSSION
A recent inspection reveals that the unapproved deck addition with partial cover over is still existing and no permits or approvals have been obtained to bring the building into compliance.
CONCLUSION
Although the building is not currently listed for sale, it is recommended that a 336D Notice be filed against the title so that any prospective purchasers will be warned that there are violations of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws. Subject to Council approval, I will be referring this matter to the Director of Legal Services to request that she commence legal action and seek an injunction if, in her opinion, it is appropriate to do so.
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