Dear Editor,
Re: “Home height restrictions debated,” News, Jan. 21.
It is encouraging that Richmond’s local papers are giving readers the chance to learn more about the views held by residents and city councillors on the building of large new houses (over 3000 square feet living space) on lots that originally accommodated houses of around 2000 square feet living space.
The consequences of covering (effectively suffocating) increasing areas of ground with houses and paved driveways do not benefit neighbourhoods.
Graeme Wood reported that councillor Carol Day opposed “new homes that are built almost to the property line” for various reasons, among them that of “drainage issues.”
I would like to offer visual evidence to support Coun. Day’s statement. In our neighbourhood, we have had serious flooding problems in our backyards beginning a few years ago. After a day of persistent precipitation, the remaining area of open ground is insufficient to soak up the water, and it accumulates.
The problem became visibly serious after the first “monster” house was built on our street in 2006. It became even more serious after another “monster” house was constructed on a nearby lot in 2009 and yet another one on our street in 2012.
The photograph was taken on a day of “moderate” rainfall in January 2013.
Sabine Eiche
Richmond
B.C.
