City of Courtenay Approves Additional Enforcement at 1655 20th Street

Courtenay City Council has declared a property at 1655 20^th Street a “nuisance property”, launching a legally binding process to begin recouping costs for enforcement from the City of Courtenay, RCMP, and Fire Department, including cost recovery for staff time, vehicles, equipment, and contractors.

Activities at the property, owned by Amandio Santos of Comox B.C., have been negatively affecting the surrounding area for some time, and have notably escalated over the past year. The City of Courtenay intends to use its full authority under the law to bring this property into compliance and recover costs through the Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw, with the full support of the Comox Valley RCMP.

Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells said nuisance properties will not be tolerated in the community. “The activities at 1655 20^th Street have been a serious concern for the neighbourhood, the City, and the greater community for some time. And it affects everyone in our community, regardless of whether you’re in the neighbourhood or not. Responding to the issues caused at just this one location has already cost thousands of hours in staff time plus other related costs. We really want to thank the area residents who have been reporting their concerns to the RCMP and the City, because these reports have been essential in helping target enforcement measures. We’re working closely with the RCMP and pursuing all available options to ensure Mr. Santos meets his responsibilities as a landowner.”

Over the past year alone the Comox Valley RCMP has attended the property 52 times in response to a wide range of calls for service, including drugs, disturbances, fighting, assault, theft, and a variety of other suspicious or criminal activities. 

“The collaborative effort between the City and RCMP has resulted in significant action to prevent, abate and prohibit further nuisances,” said Inspector Mike Kurvers of the Comox Valley RCMP. ”Land owners such as Mr. Santos that allow their properties to become a disproportionate burden on the RCMP and City will not be tolerated.”

The City of Courtenay has contacted Mr. Santos many times about these issues over several years, culminating with a “Do Not Occupy” notice on the property on March 5, 2021. Despite these enforcement actions, the home remains occupied and the property owner is accumulating daily fines for non-compliance.

For more information on bylaw enforcement in the City of Courtenay, visit www.courtenay.ca/bylaws