Dear Editor,
Re: “Higher land value should be part of the deal: Steves,” News, Feb. 19.
I’ve watched with interest for several years, the ongoing attempts by Onni to purchase changes to city zoning laws.
Clearly, the development in question was built on the assumption that it was only a matter of how much it would cost to have the zoning changed to their benefit.
For a company so wealthy, a mere few millions is a drop in the bucket. Interestingly, with regard to the supposed residential rental units, I was told by some individuals who tried to obtain one that on several occasions they tried to contact Onni to inquire about a rental, but calls were not returned, which would possibly indicate that they weren’t interested in actually acquiring tenants.
If they can plead their case that they’re unable to rent the units, they then have a case to state that they’re enduring hardship as a result of the zoning or other requirements.
With the non-residential spaces, it seems clear that they haven’t tried to obtain tenants under the present zoning, so obviously having this large a development sit mostly empty for years is not any real hardship to this firm.
I am feeling very cynical lately about the legitimacy of city bylaws when it seems all it comes down to is how deep your pockets are to get whatever you want.
Sharon Moore
Richmond
