POCO SLAPS NOTICES ON POT AND METH HOUSES

Port Coquitlam city council decided Monday to place notices against
the land titles of four homes formerly used as marijuana grow
operations and methamphetamine labs.

It was a first for the city, and a measure taken to protect possible
purchasers and encourage the owner to clean up the property.

"This is the first step in the bylaw enforcement process," director
of development services Kim Fowler explained during the meeting.

The notice will read: "(a) a resolution relating to the land referred
to in the building inspector's report has been made under Section 57
of the Community Charter; and (b) further information about it may be
inspected at the municipal hall."

Fowler said staff can remove the note when the permit process is
complete and the work has been done.

"It's a simple administrative procedure," she said.

Two other options include a remedial action requirement under Sec. 73
of the Community Charter to have work done because the building on
the property is in or creates an unsafe condition, and court
prosecution up to $10,000, under Sec. 5 of the Offence Act.

Three of the properties are on the north side of Port Coquitlam, and
one is downtown.

The house at 3819 Sefton St. was found to be a grow op on Oct. 26,
2006. That day the city sent a letter to the owner about bylaw
requirements, but to date the owner has not contacted the city to
discuss plans for remediation.

Alterations to the property included a barricaded front door and
electrical, structural and mechanical alterations.

A fee of $1,242.43 plus police costs has been charged against the
property to recover costs under the controlled substance nuisance bylaw.

Police and fire officials raided the house at 2446 Kelly Ave. on Nov.
24, where they found not only a marijuana grow operation, but also a
methamphetamine lab.

"This is a fairly high-risk site," Fowler said.

Fowler said the owner contacted the city on Feb. 2 to say he wants to
demolish the building, although no demolition permit has been applied
for or issued.

A whopping $79,909.53 has been charged against the property to
recover costs under the controlled substance nuisance bylaw.

The most recent marijuana grow operation was found Feb. 13 at 4024
Mars Pl., where structural, mechanical and electrical alterations
were done to accommodate the operation.

Fowler said the property is particularly high risk because the owner
has expressed a desire to move in new tenants immediately.

"This one is a concern," she said.

Charges to recover costs under the controlled substance nuisance
bylaw are pending.