Pubdate: Thu, 24 Apr 2003
Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.aldergrovestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989
Authors: Ken Henry and Natasha Jones

BYLAW DEMANDS REPAIRS TO POT-GROW RENTALS

With its new bylaw Langley Township Council is sending a clear message to 
landowners: be aware of what your tenant is doing. At its April 7 meeting, 
council approved a bylaw stating that all buildings which have sustained 
damage from illicit drug operations will have to be repaired to Building 
Code standards before they can be occupied again.

The cost for landowners is significant. The fee schedule is $525 for the 
initial investigation and inspection of a property, $250 for the first 
building inspection, $100 per agency carrying out an inspection, and $250 
for a letter authorizing re-occupancy.

But Mayor Kurt Alberts said the real cost is getting the building back to a 
habitable state.

"You could be faced with tens of thousands of dollars with bringing it back 
to compliance," he said in an interview on Tuesday. "So be aware of what 
your tenants are doing, in other words."

The bylaw is similar to one adopted by the City last year. However, while 
the City's bylaw is restricted to residential properties, the Township's 
covers all classes of buildings.

The bylaw was introduced on March 17, one week after council heard graphic 
testimony from a Langley RCMP Drug Squad member about the extent of illegal 
marijuana grow-ops in the municipality. They number in the thousands, 
council was told. Police made 60 drug busts in the Township last year.

The new legislation will be activated when local police notify the 
Township's building inspection department of any illegal activity that 
damages a building.

Although pot is the favoured illegal drug for growers, psilocybin (magic 
mushrooms) and methamphetamine labs are not uncommon.

Premises cannot be re-occupied until a building inspector rules that they 
are habitable after an evaluation that includes the fire department, and 
inspectors for utilities.
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MAP posted-by: Beth