WEST Vancouver is promising to crack down on nuisance construction with several bylaw changes.
The changes, which unanimously passed a council vote on first reading Nov. 7, would bring stiffer penalties for bylaw violations, ban rock crushing on construction sites, require fencing around sites and that operators put up a sign with their contact information, as well as other changes.
The fine for noise would be doubled to $500 from $250, but West Vancouver staff say even that may be inadequate, and will target repeat offenders with stop-work orders and suspensions of business licences.
"This is something we may look at in terms of ratcheting things up," said Bob Sokol, director of planning for West Vancouver, adding stiffer penalties are needed to get compliance on what are often multi-million construction projects.
"Fines of a few hundred dollars . . . are viewed by some in the industry as a cost of doing business."
There are up to 600 construction projects going on in the district at any one time, and West Vancouver faces a particular challenge due to its sloped, rocky geography, steep, winding streets and the complexity and expense of buildings, which often require longer construction periods.
For any bylaw to be effective, however, Sokol said the municipality needs more inspectors. Currently, there are only two on duty at any given time, and inspectors often only visit a site six to 10 times over an 18-month period - meaning they often only respond to complaints.
Sokol said he would bring back plans for more officers in the 2012 budget, which could be paid for by construction fees.
Residents in attendance at the Nov. 7 council meeting urged council to take action, and fast.
Joanne Watts, a resident of Parthenon Place off Marine Drive, said that of the 10 houses on her street, four are undergoing major construction, including one that has lasted four years. The street is packed full of cars outside the fencing for the new waterfront homes being built.
"The street has been a
nightmare for four years," she said.
As well, she argued that it shouldn't be up to residents to phone in and complain, as that divides the residents and construction workers.
"The dirty looks from the tradesmen on the street here are frightening at times," she said, arguing the district needs "more boots on the ground."
Another resident, Michael Carter, said increased fines aren't enough.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize this will not work. We already have fines and they're not working," he said, arguing that residents near construction sites should receive compensation.
The changes proposed by staff drew unanimous support from council, in particular the plan to issue stop-work orders to repeat offenders.
"That talks," said Mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones. "It gets a lot of compliance, the thought that that's possible."
