WHAT is it about a water view - or at least the prospect of one - that turns ordinary citizens into thieves in the night?
The short answer in many cases is simply: money.
According to MSN Real Estate, the difference between two identical homes selling in Colorado for $8 million was the lack of a view. The home without the view took three years longer to sell at $3 million below asking.
The example is extreme, but a water view in West Vancouver likely adds a minimum of 10 per cent to the value of property compared to similar homes without. So a view corridor to the water represents a conservative minimum of $100,000 in value.
The penalty for mischief over $5,000 is a maximum of six months in jail and $5,000 in fines.
Anyone see a potential problem in the penalty department here?
Even if those who hire Midnight Chainsaws Inc. know the law at all, what are the odds they might suppose jail time is such an extreme long shot that they only need be worried about the fine. And when the possible cost of $5,000 nets a potential return of $100,000 or more, reward clearly outweighs the risk.
One of two things need to happen so that those considering illegal tree cutting are deterred. Either the law is rewritten such that a fine can be levied for each and every tree cut, or the next time someone is found or pleads guilty to the crime, the judge does everyone on the North Shore a favour and imposes the maximum penalty as a deterrent - six months in jail.
