City to consider “chronic nuisance” ordinance during council meeting tonight

The Vancouver City Council will hold a ‘first reading’ tonight on a new ordinance that aims to hold business owners and landowners responsible for nuisance-causing conditions on their property.

The city says the Chronic Nuisance Ordinance stems from an increasing number of disturbances in Vancouver’s entertainment district – such as disorderly conduct, noise disturbances, reckless endangerment and assaults from intoxicated citizens.

In some cases, according to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), landowners and business owners have engaged in or permitted certain types of conduct that has contributed to the public disturbances.

Presently, VPD says there is relatively little it can do to compel landowners and business owners to take action. The new ordinance would give law enforcement a new tool to deal with the ongoing disturbances.

“The intent is really good, but the devil is in the details,” said Councilmember Jack Burkman. “How do we address issues created by business owners and landlords who can do a better job versus those that are doing just fine? I don’t want to add additional burden to those that are working with us, but VPD needs a tool to work with.”

Business owners cited under the proposed ordinance would receive a notice of violation and an order to abate the nuisance-causing condition. The ordinance would also provide for additional remedies (such as limiting operating hours) in the case of chronic nuisance properties.

The proposed ordinance is expected to go to a ‘second reading’ where the public will have an opportunity to weigh in. That would occur during the council meeting on October 19.

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