TOWNSHIP EYES STRICTER DRUG HOUSE BYLAWS

If Adopted, New Rules Would Force Property Owners To Ensure
Residences Are Made Safe To Inhabit

Less than two months into 2006, and Langley RCMP has already
dismantled eight marijuana grow operations.

It's a problem that isn't going to go away and Mounties continue to
be busy, said Cpl. Jason Wilde of the Langley drug section.

Last week, Wilde was reviewing a bylaw, that, if adopted by Township
council, could make property owners more responsible for grow-ops and
meth labs found by police. The bylaw, put together by Township senior
bylaw officer Bill Strain, follows the lead of both Richmond and,
most recently, Surrey. It puts more responsibility on property owners
to make homes safe for re-occupancy.

Surrey council has just approved the 'controlled substance property
bylaw' which will inform potential home buyers and tenants whether a
grow-op or meth lab once existed there.

Following a bust, all properties will be identified on the municipal
tax roll as having been a grow operation or chemical lab, and will be
required to go through a rigorous certification process to ensure
that the structural integrity of the property is safe for residents.

The notice on the tax roll will not be removed until the Township is
satisfied that the property is safe.

"I should have a report ready for council in three to four weeks,"
said Strain last week.

He's looking into following Richmond's bylaw which is more strict
than Surrey's.

"Owners of (rental) properties have to inspect the property every
three months. If a grow-op or meth lab is found, a no occupancy sign
goes up and doesn't come down again until the proper measures are
taken," said Strain. This usually entails removing all curtains,
carpets and drywall that has any mould in it. Richmond requires that
a certified cleaning company that specializes in this type of work is
hired, at the expense of the home owner.

"The hired professional cleaners and permit fees are over and above
the operating costs paid for RCMP, fire and building inspectors' time
(through permits.) In Richmond, two city building inspectors are
required to inspect a home," he said.

Wilde said professional cleaning is key.

"There was a home in the City where the owners were going to drywall
over the existing mould and then allow people to move in. Luckily, it
was stopped before that took place," said Wilde.

Langley RCMP drug section Sgt. Dave Fleugel supports any efforts that
deter criminals.

"If Langley takes a strong position, it sends a message to growers
that Langley may not be the best place to do business," he said.
"People are finding ways to get around bylaws.

"That's why it's incumbent on us to continually update our bylaws,"
said Strain.

"It may seem like all the hardship always falls on the home owner,
but if that person is diligent they won't run into this."

If council chooses to adopt this bylaw, it would complement its
existing property maintenance and repair bylaw.

Since the adoption of that bylaw in 2003, the Township's building
department has inspected 75 grow-ops.

The majority of the grow-ops have been in single family dwellings.
However, it has also inspected grow-ops in agricultural and accessory
buildings. To date, the building department has not been notified by
police of any meth labs.

Costs recovered through permit fees in 2005 under this program
totalled $84,300. The permit fee includes recovery for all related
labour, materials and equipment, plus the cost of the permit relating
to the actual building restoration.

These fees go into general revenue to offset Township expenses
already incurred.

In the City, the building department has dealt with around a dozen
homes under its same bylaw.

"In each of the 12 or so situations we've made sure the home was safe
before re-occupancy was allowed," said City manager Cliff Gittens.
The City will be looking at updating its bylaw to keep up with the
rest of the municipalities.

"So much has changed. We were the first city in the Lower Mainland to
adopt the property maintenance bylaw.

"It seems now there is more opportunity for local governments to be
proactive, like making the public aware of a home's history and the
ability to recover extra costs," he said.