Port Coquitlam council to vote on demolition of derelict properties

The Staff at Port Coquitlam City Hall is recommending the council support a recommendation to demolish two derelict properties on Mary Hill Road. The council will discuss the issue at a committee of the council meeting, which will be held on November 4, Tuesday, at 1:30 pm.

The report focuses on 2419 and 2431 Mary Hill Road, which staff describe as unsafe and in violation of city regulations. The properties have been subject to ongoing complaints and enforcement under the Property Standards and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw No. 4190, according to the City.

Staff say the buildings are vacant and have generated 11 service calls since 2021. Issues reported include unsecured structures, squatting, garbage and debris, overgrown landscaping, dumping, unlicensed dogs, animal noise, and failure to clear snow and ice. Some calls required attendance from bylaw officers, RCMP, and fire services.

The City considers the properties a hazard and a nuisance under the Community Charter. “The dwellings and accessory buildings on these properties are considered both unsafe and a nuisance to the surrounding neighbourhood,” the report states.

If approved, the property owner will have 30 days from the date of notice to demolish the structures and clean the site. If they do not comply, the City may enter the property, complete the work, and recover the costs, which could be added to the property’s tax bill if unpaid after December 31, 2025.

Staff outlined several reasons for the remedial action, including protecting public safety, reducing emergency response demands, lowering liability risks, improving neighbourhood appearance, and preventing unauthorized access. The City says demolition would bring the site back to a “safe and orderly condition.”