Kelowna City Council has given first three readings to a by-law which will toughen rules pertaining to grow-ops and meth labs. The 'Safe Premises Bylaw' would replace the 'Nuisance Controlled Substance Property Bylaw' previously adopted in 2005. Commonly known as the Grow Op Bylaw, the 'Nuisance Controlled Substance Property Bylaw' has been used against about 100 properties over the past four years.
The new bylaw will focus on the specific 'dangerous or hazardous' conditions common in buildings used for marijuana cultivation or the cooking of methamphetamines. According to Mayor Sharon Shepherd, the proposed bylaw is the same as one already in place in Vernon, Lake Country and West Kelowna. He says Penticton is also reviewing the bylaw. City Clerk Stephen Fleming, in bringing forth the bylaw, says the emphasis is on health and safety, specifically related to mould. "The current bylaw has only been used when the RCMP have deemed the house a grow-op. One of the changes is that the bylaw could be used regardless of why the mould or toxic substance got into the place. There is not the direct tie to a grow-op like the other had," says Fleming. "One of the things we have discussed on and off with Interior Health is having a regulatory tool where there are examples of say bad mould in a building that is posing a health risk that is not the result of a grow-op. This is a tool where that could be used."
Fleming says the next step is to figure out with IH what would trigger using the new bylaw. "Assuming council gives it their readings we would work with Interior Health to have some kind of policy as to what would trigger us using this bylaw with their cooperation." As it pertains to homes or buildings where drug activity is not taking place, Fleming says it is meant for more extreme cases. Fleming says there are acceptable levels of moulds and fungi listed in the bylaw as outlined by WorkSafe BC standards. He adds that there have only been two or three extreme cases since 2005 when IH had to contact the city to get involved. While the bylaw has been expanded, City Manager Ron Mattiussi reminded council that the main purpose of the bylaw is as a drug rehabilitation bylaw.
The new bylaw will focus on the specific 'dangerous or hazardous' conditions common in buildings used for marijuana cultivation or the cooking of methamphetamines. According to Mayor Sharon Shepherd, the proposed bylaw is the same as one already in place in Vernon, Lake Country and West Kelowna. He says Penticton is also reviewing the bylaw. City Clerk Stephen Fleming, in bringing forth the bylaw, says the emphasis is on health and safety, specifically related to mould. "The current bylaw has only been used when the RCMP have deemed the house a grow-op. One of the changes is that the bylaw could be used regardless of why the mould or toxic substance got into the place. There is not the direct tie to a grow-op like the other had," says Fleming. "One of the things we have discussed on and off with Interior Health is having a regulatory tool where there are examples of say bad mould in a building that is posing a health risk that is not the result of a grow-op. This is a tool where that could be used."
Fleming says the next step is to figure out with IH what would trigger using the new bylaw. "Assuming council gives it their readings we would work with Interior Health to have some kind of policy as to what would trigger us using this bylaw with their cooperation." As it pertains to homes or buildings where drug activity is not taking place, Fleming says it is meant for more extreme cases. Fleming says there are acceptable levels of moulds and fungi listed in the bylaw as outlined by WorkSafe BC standards. He adds that there have only been two or three extreme cases since 2005 when IH had to contact the city to get involved. While the bylaw has been expanded, City Manager Ron Mattiussi reminded council that the main purpose of the bylaw is as a drug rehabilitation bylaw.
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