MAN SUES TO GET BILL OVER POT GROW-OP RETURNED

A landlord billed almost $13,000 by the District of Mission to clean
up a rental property used for a marijuana grow-op is suing the
district to get the money back.

Edward Belzberg of Jayberg Enterprises has filed a writ in B.C.
Supreme Court, asking for the lifting of the fees.

In December 2006, the district discovered a pot grow operation in a
commercial rental unit in an industrial building on London Avenue
owned by Belzberg.

Without consulting Belz-berg and under instruction from the district,
Mission RCMP hired a contractor to remove the grow-op, and billed
Belzberg. The district's bylaw says a person "must not cause, allow
or permit" grow-ops in buildings.

Belzberg said he hadn't caused, allowed or permitted anyone to set up
a grow-op and noted in his petition he has never been charged under the bylaw.

The $12,626.20 bill included policing costs. Belzberg noted in an
affidavit that property tax bills include "policing" as a separate item.

He ignored the bill, renovated the space and rented it, but the
district refused to issue an occupancy permit until the bill was paid.

Neither Belzberg nor the municipality returned phone calls.

None of the allegations have been proved in court.