Pubdate: Thu, 23 Jun 2005
Source: Richmond Review, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Richmond Public Library
Contact:  http://www.richmondreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/704
Author: Matthew Hoekstra
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

CITY HAS BURNING DESIRE TO TOUGHEN GROW-OP BYLAW

Businesses To Be Added Following Weekend Fire

Richmond council plans to toughen its anti-grow-op bylaw following a 
massive weekend fire that ripped through a Bridgeport warehouse housing 
thousands of marijuana plants.

Council is set to give final approval to the city's property maintenance 
and repair (grow-op) bylaw" on Monday, but it currently only targets 
residential properties.

Citing the danger and severity of Sunday morning's fire, councillors asked 
staff at Monday's general purposes committee meeting to devise an amendment 
that would also take aim at commercial and industrial properties.

Coun. Harold Steves said the bylaw is meant to eliminate grow-ops from 
rental houses, townhouses and apartments and if all landlords complete the 
required inspections, drug operations will move to other properties such as 
warehouses.

We do need to go after the next phase of grow-ops and (meth) labs," he 
said. The same rules should apply to a warehouse..."

Residential bylaw in effect July 1

The bylaw, set to come into effect July 1, allows the city to collect all 
costs associated with busting marijuana grow-ops and amphetamine production 
labs from residential property owners who don't inspect their properties 
once every three months.

Coun. Bill McNulty noted the entire staff of Richmond Fire-Rescue was 
either on scene or on alert Sunday due to an illegal operation, leaving the 
rest of the city in peril."

Councillors agreed with a recommendation from Coun. Evelina Halsey-Brandt 
that property management companies should be consulted before commercial 
and industrial properties are added to the bylaw's target.

Staff will also report back to council on the costs of emergency services 
and city personnel involved in the blaze and its aftermath.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom