Maple Ridge council has told the owner of 22315 – 122nd St. to clean up the property or the city will tear the house down and send a bill.
But the owners of the property say the rules of the mortgage on the property won’t allow the demolition of the old house until the city approves rezoning so that a five-storey, 69-unit apartment block be built on it.
The city, however, wants the building, empty since 2010, taken down before it considers rezoning to allow redevelopment.
Council has only given first reading and on Nov. 3, told the owners to tear down the house within 60 days, to get to second reading.
But that hasn’t happened, council heard at its Monday meeting.
Instead, staff asked for a demolition order.
“We have to learn how to move faster and quicker,” on such houses, said Coun. Gordy Robson.
“We’re putting our firefighters at risk with these structures. They just create havoc in the community because they create crack houses.”
Bylaws and fire department reports say the house no longer meets basic building code standards.
There are no more doors or windows, the roof leaks, mold is on inside walls, copper pipe has been removed for its cash value and there’s no heating, electrical or plumbing.
People have also been getting inside and setting small fires.
Meanwhile, drywall has been removed from walls and ceilings, allowing the rapid spread of any fire that begins.
Cost to demolish the building is estimated at between $10,000 and $15,000.
The building has no monetary value, said an appraiser hired by the city.