Pubdate: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Hacker Press Ltd. Contact: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Author: Robert Freeman Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) A CANADIAN FIRST: POT-FREE HOUSING A pot-free housing project in Chilliwack, believed the first in Canada, will soon open to buyers willing to give up some privacy for protection against home marijuana grow operators. But they'll also have to agree to forfeit their home, if caught growing pot themselves in one of the 13 homes planned for the Promontory Park subdivision on Valleyview Road. The concept is also being considered in an Abbotsford project. Developer Bill Coughlin, of Mission, says homebuyers will be asked to sign a contract agreeing to sell the home back to the strata council at cost, if the house is used for growing pot. The three-bedroom homes are priced in the $300,000 range. Hydro meters will also be centrally located to prevent theft of electricity, foil-covered windows and basement suites will be banned and a 24-hour security camera will photograph all visitors, with copies sent to the RCMP if a criminal investigation starts. "When you enter this property, you are giving up the right of privacy," Coughlin said, adding that a team of lawyers is combing through the proposal in anticipation of legal challenges. An open house for prospective buyers starts at noon today at 46450 Valleyview Rd. Chilliwack Coun. Sharon Gaetz, chairwoman of the city's safety advisory committee, said she's delighted by the idea of another pot-busting tool added to the community's anti-marijuana arsenal. The city has enacted a tough new bylaw, hired extra RCMP officers to sniff out grow-ops and enlisted municipal workers, real estate agents and ordinary citizens to report possible drug-related activities. "It's another solution to controlling grow-ops in our community," she said in reference to the pot-free housing idea. "But on the other hand, what a shame that landowners and developers have to take care of something our federal government should be taking care of in the courts." The city has also drafted a victim impact statement for use in court that will hopefully give judges more reason to throw the book at convicted grow operators. Coughlin said the idea of a pot-free housing project came after hearing how many of his clients were financially "devastated" by next-door marijuana grow operations, which he said can chop $50,000 off a home's market value. Tales of children kept indoors because of neighbourhood grow-ops, of strange "midnight happenings" around them and of seniors "pulverized" by home invaders also spurred him to act. "Society today is being held hostage," he said, by criminals who have forced honest citizens to retreat to the safety of their homes. "Today, we're backyard oriented," he said. "We have no idea who lives next door." The gated community will also be the first with its own private park and walking trails. RCMP Cpl. Sean Sullivan says the pot-free housing idea is a "dramatic step" in the fight against grow-ops. "Anything that puts a deterrent on criminal activity is a bonus for us," he said. But a legal challenge could arise if a grow-op is discovered and a homeowner believes they are entitled to fair market value rather than the amount paid for the home, he said. Gaetz agreed a court challenge is likely. "I suspect it might come into some conflict with the B.C. solicitor general's new plan for the seizure of goods (by police) when one commits a crime." Despite the array of pot-busting tools now available to the community, Sullivan said the public shouldn't expect to see the number of grow-ops drop soon. "We're getting information and tips from concerned citizens on a daily basis," he said. "We won't see statistics drop, we'll see them increase as citizens are alive to the issue." There are currently 200 active grow-op investigations under way in Chilliwack. "This year we had just a little over 400 investigations (and) these are only the ones we've been made aware of," Sullivan said. "We honestly believe there's well over 800 to 1,200 grow-ops" in Chilliwack. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin