The District of West Vancouver has started the process of demolishing a fire-damaged home on Bellevue Avenue after the owners failed to do so.
On July 6, 2015, a fire took place at 2668 Bellevue Avenue, casing significant damage to the single-family residence.
The district has since been trying to get the owners to demolish the home but haven’t succeeded because one owner has refused to sign the required paperwork, district says.
Two engineering firms retained by one of the owners determined that “at least 75% of the home has been either completely destroyed by fire, water sand soot damage or will require extensive dismantling and removal of much of the material.”
The district’s bylaw require demolition of a structure where only 25% of that structure remains above the foundations.
On May 8, 2017, District sent a letter to one of the owners advising that the House must be demolished under the bylaw. However, the house wasn’t demolished because of an alleged conflict of ownership between the two owners.
Meanwhile, the district’s bylaw department has received multiple complaints since 2017 regarding the unsightliness of the property and problems with the burnt structure attracting squatters.
The Assistant Fire Chief has also observed patio furniture on the top floor, which he has interpreted as evidence of people accessing the burnt home.
Despite several letters and extensions, the damaged property was not demolished by the owners.
Given the history of the property and the failure of the owners to carry out the demolition, district staff recommend that the owners be ordered to complete the demolition.
If the owners default on carrying out the remedial action requirement within the necessary time period, district staff may act to complete the remedial action requirement directly, and the costs for so doing may be charged back to the owners.
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