Four dilapidated buildings on a waterfront property in Port Coquitlam will be razed by the end of March.
Tuesday, city council ordered the remedial action for the buildings at 1720 Fremont St., next to the eastbound ramp for the Pitt River bridge.
PoCo Mayor Brad West said he’s fielded many questions from residents about the state of the structures, which have become a shelter for at least two people.
“It’s disappointing that we have to do this because it represents a failure on the part of the owner,” West said before moving the order.
Coun. Glenn Pollock, who seconded West’s motion, said he noticed up to six people living in the buildings when he accompanied an outreach worker for last year’s Metro Vancouver homelessness count.
Pollock asked city staff to ensure homeless groups are contacted to accommodate those residents before the buildings are torn down.
The land owner — Joe Carhoun of the Wild Duck Inn-Pub Incorporated, a West Vancouver resident who once owned the 96-year-old landmark nearby that faced the wrecking ball in 2008 — has 30 days to apply to the city for the demolition permits.
After that, Carhoun has another 30 days to level the four buildings, corporate officer Gabryel Joseph told council. And if Carhoun doesn’t bring them down, the city will do it on his behalf — and put the costs on his next property bill.
Municipalities are allowed to issue remedial action orders under sections 72, 73 and 74 of the provincial Community Charter.
In his report to council, PoCo’s building manager Shawn Hagan detailed how the buildings are unsafe; in violation of city bylaws and the BC Building Code (no permits issued for construction or alteration); and so much deteriorated “as to be offensive to the community.”
Since 2017, bylaw inspectors have noted a number of hazardous conditions on the property; all pose a health and safety risk for occupants and visitors, Hagan said.
Among the violations are unsafe power, water and heat installations; lack of sanitary services; and flooding.
BC Assessment values the property at $2.5 million.
