GROW-OPS PROVE EXPENSIVE FOR HOMEOWNERS

The City of Courtenay reiterated this week how expensive it can be for
homeowners or landlords to allow a marijuana grow operation to be
established in their residences.

Liens against title in the thousands of dollars - an effort to recoup
costs in dismantling and then approving an occupancy permit for the
property - will be filed against two properties, one on Fitzgerald
Avenue, the other on McLaughlin Drive.

According to Dave Slobodan, director of regulatory and property
services, RCMP discovered 2129 Fitzgerald Ave. and 4642 McLaughlin
were being used as marijuana growing operations.

"Due to health and life safety issues determined by the City's
Building Division, the buildings have been deemed unsafe and unusable
(as) dwellings," Slobodan said.

Matters which need to be addressed by homeowners before the liens on
title are lifted - both of which total in excess of $3,300 - include
paying the City costs associated with RCMP involvement in busting and
dismantling the grow-ops.

In one residence, police expenses in breaking up the illegal operation
amounted to $2,110, while building inspection fees necessary in
reissuing an occupancy permit totalled $1,250. Police expenses in the
second house were pegged at $2,600.

The liens are yet another way in ensuring the homeowners pay the bill
prior to Dec. 31, 2006, after which the invoices would be tacked onto
their tax bill as per a bylaw passed in 2003.

No one will be allowed to reoccupy either dwelling unless the fees are
paid.

The homeowners must also set up a meeting with the City building
inspector to carry out an inspection of the house to determine what
work is required to repair the building and an environmental
scientist/microbiologist must carry out an inspection to see what work
will be required to clean the dwelling.

Coun. Manno Theos said the action sent a strong message that grow-ops
would not be tolerated.

Councillors also questioned staff whether the amounts billed actually
reflected the cost of busting a grow-op. Staff said they are reviewing
the amounts, with an eye to increasing the hourly rate (currently
$100/hour per police officer).