A run-down property that’s been on the city of Port Coquitlam’s radar for a decade is now the subject of a remedial order.
Today (Thursday), the city’s community safety committee is set to review the number of complaints about the derelict buildings at 2430 Ottawa St. — located northeast of Save-On-Foods — as well as inspection reports and photos by the public safety team.
The committee recommendation will be considered by city council on Tuesday. Under Section 74 of the provincial Community Charter, councils can declare a building or structure “a nuisance” and order it be razed or improved to bylaw standards.
In her committee report, bylaw services manager Paula Jones said the property, which includes a vacant home and two large sheds, has had 18 calls for service for unsightly premises and animal control.
In the past, the property was used to grow marijuana, she said. And images presented to the committee show the land is littered with garbage and discarded butane canisters (commonly used by pot users for butane honey oil extraction).
Jones said attempts to contact the owners, who live in Vancouver, about compliance have been unsuccessful. Should they fail to clean up their site, they will be billed by the city for remediation, of which the costs may be added to their property taxes.
In other PoCo news:
NO TO H.E. TAX
A new payroll tax to replace the Medical Service Plan (MSP) premiums shouldn’t be applied to municipalities and school boards, Port Coquitlam’s finance and budget committee warned last week.
In a letter to B.C.’s finance minister Carole James, PoCo Mayor Greg Moore said the new Employer Health Tax will be double the city’s bill for the MSP rates. And he said that cost will likely be passed onto taxpayers and contracted service providers.
“Municipalities, unlike businesses, have not benefited from recent business tax reductions,” Moore wrote in his letter, dated March 26.
As previously reported in The Tri-City News, the cities of Coquitlam and PoCo are each bracing for a $600,000 hit to their bottom lines in 2020 while Port Moody estimates a $345,000 hike.
TALENT SHOW
A variety show will be held next week in an attempt to draw more people back to the Port Coquitlam recreation complex, which is currently undergoing major upgrades.
Entertainer Toshi Jackson and the Wilson Centre Seniors’ Advisory Association board will host PoCo’s Got Talent on Saturday, April 14 — an all-ages performance featuring musicians, singers and dancers.
Aimed to build awareness of programs and services that continue to be offered at the centre during construction, the event will run from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Wilson Centre main lounge.
Tickets are $5 or $3.50 for Wilson Centre members by calling 604-927-7529 or visiting experience it.ca; no cost for kids under five. For more details about the seniors’ centre, visit portcoquitlam.ca/seniors.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
