SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 1
P&E COMMITTEE AGENDA
DECEMBER 14, 1995
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: December 01, 1995
File No. 956BIDW
TO: Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
FROM: City Building Inspector
SUBJECT: Demolition of Dangerous Building
956 Bidwell Street
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council declare that the above building is 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 remove the building and
all demolition debris from the site within 14 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 as set forth in paragraph B, Council
further orders and hereby authorizes the City Building
Inspector to have the building and all demolition debris
removed at the expense of the owner.
D. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice Against
the Certificate of Title to the Property at 956 Bidwell in
order to warn prospective purchasers that as a result of the
condition of the building and Council's resolution, the
purchaser could suffer a significant expense if the By-law
were enforced against him.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENT
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval
of A, B, C and D.
RE: DEMOLITION OF DANGEROUS BUILDING
956 BIDWELL STREET
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, lessee or
occupier thereof.
DISCUSSION
This building that contained one retail store and five dwelling
units was declared unsafe, by the City Building Inspector in 1987
and was vacated and boarded up at that time.
Since that time the City has received complaints of transients
gaining entry into the building and has issued several orders to
the owner to re-board the building as well as to remove debris and
discarded materials that have been dumped on the site.
The building in its present state is unsightly and dilapidated
beyond reuse or rehabilitation.
The Vancouver Police Department advises that they have attended the
site several times in 1995 in response to complaints regarding
suspicious persons and/or disturbances related to this property.
The owner of the property was sent a letter on October 25, 1995
wherein the City outlined concerns with the property and requested
that the owner obtain a permit to demolish the building (copy
attached).
On November 3, 1995, the owner's agent Mr. Chow wrote to request a
delay due to the fact that the owner was out of town Mr. Chow was
advised by staff that the City would proceed with this report to
Council by December 12, 1995 on the understanding that if the owner
were to comply by obtaining a demolition permit, the report would
be pulled. To date, however, there has been no response from the
owner, nor has a permit been obtained.
RE: DEMOLITION OF DANGEROUS BUILDING
956 BIDWELL STREET
Because of the foregoing, it is recommended that Council declare
the building at 956 Bidwell Street a nuisance or dangerous to
public safety or both, approve the attached Resolution and order
the owner to remove the building and all demolition debris. It is
also recommended that City Council approve the filing of a 336D
Notice against the title of the property to warn any prospective
purchasers of the Resolution of Council.
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