Dear Editor,
It has now been several weeks since Richmond City Council shocked most Richmond residents by voting to allow almost 11,000 sq. ft. “homes“ on agricultural land in Richmond. (Plus a potential additional home of over 3,000 sq. ft.) This was deemed to be sound agricultural policy by six of our councillors. The phenomenal impact on the price of farmland for mansion building and speculation was ignored.
The result? A recent MLS listing now has a 50-year-old 1,300 sq. ft. home on ALR land (11240 No. 2 Rd.) listed for $4,111,111. That will get you 1.5 acres. Like most of the new listings on farmland properties, the farming potential is incidental. This one suggests you can build an “over 10,000 sq. ft. castle with fantastic mountain views in a prestigious neighbourhood.”
It is difficult to understand, with the agreed on abomination of 23,000 sq. ft. homes currently being built on our farmland, how anybody would not see how deleterious this new policy will continue to be for the future of Richmond farmland.
Only the mayor, and two councillors, tried to keep a rein on farmland mansions. Will there be accountability in the municipal fall election?
John Baines
RICHMOND
