Dear Editor,
Re: “Steveston residents get yards back,” News, July 12.
How could it be possible for the City of Richmond to hand over a public laneway to a group of local residents for the trifling amount of one dollar for 20 years? The idea that people who have been squatting on a laneway in Steveston should be given this public land, fenced off for their private use, is an affront to all taxpaying landowners in Richmond.
Local land has value — a lot of value — and even if it were appropriate to let these people “maintain” the land as part of their backyards, they should be charged a fair market rental fee. It is bad enough to let these Steveston squatters have exclusive access to public land, but to also give them what is essentially free rent is inconceivable.
Why did city council think this was an acceptable arrangement? It is so unconventional and precedent-setting that all Richmond taxpayers should have an opportunity to vote on this decision. There is an election coming up this fall, so a referendum question on this issue would be in order.
Marion Smith
RICHMOND
