Stop City hall abuse and help save TipoFit.ca

June 2013 renos were started by a prof contacting company.

June 2013 50.00 for business license was submitted.

A week later, City informs contractor that not all permits for renos are in place.

June 2013 city informs contractor to submit reno drawings from a professional.

July 2013 engineer drawings submitted to City hall along with building permit application.

2 weeks after, City informs contractor that an architect drawing is required for renos done.

6 to 8 weeks passed then, City informs contractor that the architect drawings we declined.

Nov. 2013 another set of architect drawings has been submitted from a different architect . Plus 400.00 for another permit application.

Nov 21 2013 The city informs contractor that some corrections need to be made on current architect drawings, Once Architect was back from vacation, these “corrected drawings” were submitted.

Dec 2013 and Jan 2014 Several calls and voicemails left to the City to get status updates on drawings. There were aprox 6 weeks holidays during this time so nobody was available to review drawings.

Bryan Runge, owner of Tipofit.ca, an active wellness and fitness trainer for over a decade in this beautiful city of Vancouver is in a battle with our Government. For over 6 months now he has worked extremely hard to start a private fitness training studio in Chinatown. This is an area of our city that needs, more than anything, positive, creative businesses development. His generous nature and outgoing personality has made him a friend to all who meets Bryan with enormous business support through the years of working with him. Being in this industry also makes him a major participant in helping to keep health care costs down. Why you ask would someone who is a tax paying member of our community be in a battle for his business with our government. That I don't understand. This petition is not only to help Bryan keep his dream, and prosper but also to let you Vancouverites know the atrocity that has become our local government.

Over $7k has been spent for City Hall requirements without question. He has sent numerous architect drawings in for the studio upon request, costing $2500 plus each time. According to the architects, weren’t even necessary for a space this size and with the minor amount of renos done. This "requirement" is for a "change of use" issue on the studio space. Changing it from retail to a fitness studio. It's a more complicated issue when looking for a commercial space than just a zoning issue that most people are aware of. This took the rest of his business development funding away. Now hes unable to finish creating his business.

When the city was contacted a couple of times during the lengthy time period of waiting for architect drawing approval, the city stated that: 'The more you call, the longer this will take." The Majority of time in communications with the City, you'll receive different info for each person you talk with. This is not the way our city officials should treat Vancouverites. We should be greatly encouraged to be strong creative entrepreneurs and be lead a sincere helping hand instead of being severely punished.

During this 6 months waiting period for his business license and building permits, the 5 year signed lease still has to be paid on a monthly basis. Never mind all bills, investor payments, equipment payments etc. How is one able to pay for this lease without being able to run a business? He still needs to be able to manage the expectations of his client base and earn an income. It takes guts and determination as it is just to open a new business and make it successful. Imagine the extreme difficulties that arise when you're not able to advertise properly and open your doors to the public for 6 months.

Bryan had to get creative in order to pay his lease. He hired on a professional marketing company that creates marketing fund raiser parties. It turned out more successful that imagined, good problem to have. Then the VPD and City hall came into the Studio and shut his business down. WHY? Because he doesn’t have a permit for the space and was told all his applications (that cost lots of money) are now void and he must start this lengthy process all over again. He was fined 250.00 just for being in the space without the permit he's been fighting to get for 6 months. He was also told that each time he's seen in the studio space without the permit, he'll be fined another 250.00, making him feel like a criminal.

Does this sound like an encouraging government to you that your tax money pays for?

Please help bring awareness to City Hall abuse and help save Tipofit by signing this petition.

Thank you greatly for your help.

Please help our City of Vancouver officials know that this is not something we stand for.

Bryan Runge Bryan@tipofit.ca

Bryan Runge    Contact the author of the petition