Pubdate: Wed, 07 Apr 2004
Source: Tri-City News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004, Tri-City News
Contact:  http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239
Author: Janis Cleugh
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

IF YOU HAVE POT, YOU'LL PAY, CITY TELLS LANDLORDS

Coquitlam's new bylaw targeting pot farmers isn't meant to punish property 
owners but to make them more aware of illegal activities in their homes, 
says a city councillor.

"I hope that it will have a significant impact to encouraging owners of 
property in the city to be more responsible and diligent to who they rent 
to," said Coun. Fin Donnelly, vice-chair of the Livable Communities 
Committee, which oversees policing.

RCMP estimates there are more than 500 marijuana grow-ops in Coquitlam and 
Port Coquitlam.

Under the new regulation, Noxious or Offensive Business Activity Bylaw No. 
3631, 2004, which received three readings Monday night, the city can enter 
any home used for growing pot or for making methamphetamine to conduct 
inspections.

According to the bylaw, a city inspector - defined as the manager of 
development services, a bylaw or building inspector, firefighter or an RCMP 
officer - can enter a suspect home for an inspection under provisions of 
the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If a drug lab is found, the city can 
kick out the residents by revoking the occupancy permit and order 
remediation, which will be paid by the homeowner.

Should the owner fail to clean up the home, the city will do it - and 
charge the owner for the costs as well as for the police's costs for 
dismantling. The expenses will be put on the owner's property tax bill.

Residents can't return until the home is cleaned and an additional $500 
Special Safety Inspection has been done by the city, and approved for 
occupancy.

Bylaw violations can result in a fine up to $5,000.

Donnelly said the bylaw is long overdue: Both the cities of Port Coquitlam 
and Port Moody have had bylaws banning pot farms for several months now.

Donnelly has had first-hand experience with the destruction drug makers can 
do: his childhood home in PoMo was turned into a grow-op by renters. "They 
ripped out the walls. They put in a greenhouse. They just trashed the place 
and stole everything and left," he said. "It was a real sad story for our 
family."

The bylaw is expected to be adopted within the next month.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager