City planners will be fielding your questions and taking your thoughts regarding the size of homes on farmland, at an open house Thursday, March 2 at Richmond City Hall.
City council is considering amending its bylaws to limit the maximum size of a house on protected agricultural land, as well as other measures to limit the footprint of new developments on arable soil.
The issue has garnered significant publicity in recent months, after planners told city council that new homes are averaging over 12,000-square-feet with many reaching close to 20,000-square-feet.
Last year, city staff denied a building permit for a 41,000-square-foot home.
The city doesn’t restrict size, as many Metro Vancouver municipalities that border farmland do.
The issue is contentious among the Southeast Asian community, as large homes are seen as necessary for multi-generational farming families.
But how big is too big?
The open house will offer two summary presentations in the council chambers starting at approximately 5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
The City of Richmond notes the public can go online to LetsTalkRichmond.ca, its public engagement site, where display boards and a survey will be available from Feb. 27-March 12 (midnight).
Information gathered will be presented to city council for its consideration.
