VANCOUVER - The owner of a building lot who wants to build a four-storey retail-residential building at 2745 East Hastings Street has started construction on the site without a proper building permit.

According to a report from city hall staff, work on excavation and foundation footings has been carried out on the site.

City council is being asked to authorize staff to seek a court injunction against the owner and to place a notice in the property's file in the land title office warning any prospective purchasers of the situation.

On Nov. 10, 2005, the developer filed for a building permit but it was not issued.

Will Johnston, the city's director of licences and inspections said there were a "number of administrative problems with the application and also, no fees were paid."

Johnston said he felt the issue could be settled soon.

"We are going to council because we need to convince the developer to get his permit," he said.

Johnston said it is illegal for anyone to begin excavation work in the city without a permit.

The property is owned by a numbered company with its headquarters in Richmond.

© The Vancouver Sun 2008