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Lawsuit dropped over PoCo's renoviction policy

The owner of the Bonnie Brae Apartments filed a notice of discontinuance July 12 in BC Supreme Court in Vancouver.
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The Bonnie Brae Apartments at 1955 Western Dr., Port Coquitlam.

A lawsuit against the city of Port Coquitlam over its new renoviction policy was dropped last month.

The owner of the Bonnie Brae Apartments filed a notice of discontinuance July 12 in BC Supreme Court in Vancouver.

Yesterday (Tuesday), acting city CAO Karen Grommada confirmed the legal proceedings relating to the business bylaw amendment had been stopped.

The owner, 1955 Western Drive Title Corp., argued the bylaw change disrupted its renovations of the Bonnie Brae complex, a 51-year-old building in the Mary Hill neighbourhood that houses about 65 residents — many of whom are seniors and on fixed incomes.

In March, the company served eviction notices on the tenants to update the building, with a move-out date by June 30. In turn, city council altered its regulations to prevent the mass eviction and the residents challenged the landlord’s decision with the B.C. Residential Tenancy Branch. In May, they won their case.

City council’s new regulations require rental apartment businesses with five or more units to provide interim accommodations to tenants when they plan to make repairs or renovations. The bylaw amendment also prohibits property owners from raising rents after construction is complete.