Pubdate: Wed, 15 Jul 2009
Source: Tri-City News (Port Coquitlam, CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Tri-City News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3X3xlf9Y
Website: http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239

COQUITLAM BANS 'UNDESIRABLE' BUSINESSES

In an effort to make Coquitlam more "family-friendly," pawn shops, 
methadone clinics, non-registered massage outlets, escort services 
and exotic dancing will be banned in Coquitlam.

And adult entertainment shops, adult video stores, cheque-cashing 
outlets, scrap metal dealers and tattoo parlours won't be allowed to 
set up shop within a kilometre of any other so-called "undesirable" business.

The unanimous move by city council - which Mayor Richard Stewart 
said, in a news release on Tuesday, is aimed to make Coquitlam's 
retail areas "family-friendly" - comes after Monday's public hearing, 
where business owners squared off with neighbours and the 
Maillardville Residents' Association.

Association spokesperson Lorraine Bergen said many area homeowners 
are concerned about the growing number of adult-oriented businesses 
in the historically French-Canadian enclave. She said the cluster of 
the businesses and the wording on some shops have been questionable, 
especially when they are near schools and daycares.

Lisa Vallaster said she regrets moving from Vancouver to 
Maillardville. In four years, she said, she has seen a number of 
pawnbrokers, tattoo parlours and sex shops start up. "I feel 
embarrassed as a citizen of this area," she told city council during 
the hour-long hearing. She also criticized pawn shop owners for 
taking advantage of people who are broke.

The owner of Common Exchange on Brunette Avenue said his business can 
make up to 70% a year in interest for a short-term loan. "Is it a 
crime to make money?" he shrugged when Coun. Lou Sekora questioned 
him on his operations. "I think you are all going to open pawn shops now."

He also claimed the city and RCMP are acting against the Privacy Act 
when it requests pawn shop owners to fax a daily list to police, 
itemizing goods sold.

Austin Avenue pawn shop operator Trevor Tennessy said city council is 
violating Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms by discriminating 
against his business. He said the word "undesirable" can be 
subjective. "I feel ashamed to have this label," his business partner said.

And the owner of Millennium Traders in Burquitlam Plaza said her 
licence fee has grown from $125 to $3,500. Under the re-worked zoning 
bylaw, to which council granted second and third readings on Monday, 
the licence will soar to $10,000 for current licensed pawn shop owners.

"It doesn't add up," she said. "It doesn't make sense. There' no 
municipality anywhere that has changed like that."

Mayor Richard Stewart said the new bylaw "has taken way too long to 
get here. We have a responsibility to... our residents," especially 
in Austin Heights, Maillardville and south Burquitlam, where most of 
the establishments are located.

On Tuesday, Tennessy commented in council's decision, telling The 
Tri-City News, "It's ridiculous. It's completely wrong. They didn't 
listen to a word anybody said. And $10,000? I think it will make the 
city rich. How can they justify that number?"

Trevor Wingrove, Coquitlam's general manager of corporate services, 
said the city doesn't have any methadone clinics, escort services or 
strip bars. Non-registered massage does not include certified body 
workers or practitioners in the natural health-care fields. Also, 
there are currently no scrap metal dealers in the city, he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom