A cannabis growing operation in the lower level of a Brackendale home has attracted the attention of the District, which says the property has run afoul of Building Code bylaws. A complaint about the building was sent to the District in Oct., 2017, according to meeting documents, with concerns about unpermitted construction and equipment related to marijuana growth.
A month later two of the District’s building inspectors visited the home and spoke to the tenant, although they were not given access to the inside.
At the end of November the building inspectors were granted access to the inside of the home. While the upstairs was unaltered and being used as living space, the lower floors were converted to be “used for intensive production of plant material.”
A recent addition had also been built, without official permits, and was also being used for cannabis growth. A photo submitted to the District shows rows of cannabis plants being grown on raised platforms, with a watering and lighting system installed on the ceiling.
The report to council focused on building alterations that were not approved by the District, including electrical and structural changes. The use of the home for growing the plants also contravenes the current residential designation.
“There are no building permits on record for any of the noted alterations and the alterations appear to be relatively recent,” said the report.
On Feb. 6, staff recommended to committee that a notice will be placed on the Land Title of the property on Depot Road, which means the legal issues and Building Code violations become public information for any potential buyer.
The District is giving the landowner six months to bring the property into compliance with local bylaws before they decide whether to take legal action.
Although notified, the owner of the property did not speak at the committee meeting.
The owner can have the notice removed for a $200 fee when the home is compliant.
