Dear Editor,
Many thoughts came to me as I stood in front of a beautiful Scandinavian split on Fairlane Road in quiet Seafair. As the Craigslist rental ad shows, it is in immaculate shape, both inside and out — gleaming original hardwood floors, a gorgeous wrap-around fireplace serving both the living and dining rooms, huge mid-century A-frame windows, completely renovated high-end kitchen and bathrooms and a large, well-landscaped private yard. The only catch is that it is slated for demolition next year.
On one hand, it seems impossibly hard to believe that anyone would even think of demolishing this gorgeous home, but on the other hand, when you see more bulldozers than children on the neighbourhood streets, it seems to be right on par with the current state of affairs in Richmond.
Developers, homeowners and real estate speculators have been given too much freedom in Richmond to do whatever they want with residential properties, and just like the parents of that unruly child who is ruining it for all the other kids on the playground, it’s time for city councillors to step up and step in. Enough is enough.
It’s easy to blame the current housing and redevelopment situation in Richmond on apathy, but we shouldn’t; Richmond city council is willingly tying their own hands behind their backs and claiming helplessness.
Bylaws exist to protect heritage buildings within the city and only when one is absolutely beyond repair is a demolition permit passed. You can only choose from certain paint colours when you are the owner or renter of a heritage building in Richmond, yet the City of Richmond seems unable to muster up a plan to protect existing houses that actually serve the community in more ways than meet the eye.
In fact, not allowing demolition of liveable older homes in Richmond would have far-reaching, life-changing effects in many ways: lower income families would have more viable renting or buying options; having these homes filled with families rather than sitting empty would bring neighbourhoods back to life; neighbourhood schools wouldn’t be under threat of closure due to low enrollment; the local business labour shortage would disappear because blue collar workers would once again be able to live where they work; future generations would have an array of affordable housing still available to them; more children would grow up having had a more stable home which will give them more stable footing when they reach adulthood.
The list goes on and on.
The only downside to halting the current state of residential redevelopment is that a small select group of individuals won’t have their pockets quite as overflowing as they do now.
Workers in the construction trades would still have a lot of renovation work to do in the community. It is a win-win scenario, versus the win-lose scenario we are watching play out right now.
The purpose of an elected city council is to not only enforce existing by-laws, but to create new ones which reflect current circumstances, in order to protect Richmond from changing into something that very few people want, and that can’t be reversed. The wrecking ball is swinging out of control and it is up to city council to realize that in a sea of proactive options, they need to stop consistently choosing to press the “do nothing” button.
Judie Schneider
Richmond
