Dear Editor,
Re: “Large lots led to megahomes,” Letters, April 22.
Mark Sakai recently wrote to chastise Joanne Mantie for expressing her displeasure with the proliferation of megahomes in her old neighborhood as a contributing factor for her move from Richmond.
Mr. Sakai is absolutely entitled to his opinion, but he should be more forthcoming as to who he is.
He writes his letter as if he is a concerned citizen, but is, in fact, a paid lobbyist for the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association, an organization with a vested interest in the densification he proposes.
As Ms. Mantie chose to express her dissatisfaction with what has happened to Richmond, Mr. Sakai labels her as a complainer.
For other long-time residents of Broadmoor who may share her views, Mr. Sakai says they are partly responsible for the situation. He further states that ‘people are very upset’ about “neighbours from overseas,” a very thin reference to the fact that if you do not agree with what is happening in Richmond, you are a racist.
He has clearly articulated the position of the GVHBA.
Mr. Sakai claims that poor public policy has resulted in the dramatic rise in megahomes.
Perhaps, the poor public policy is allowing this, by successive developer-friendly city councils, building homes, essentially, from lot line to lot line with seemingly marginal height restrictions.
Of course, if there happens to be any portion of the lot not built on, then pave it over.
Also, let’s not forget the gated fence to add a sense of community.
Finally, Mr. Sakai postulates that further densification could mitigate the need for school closures.
However, despite all the residential construction that has occurred in Richmond over the last 10 years, it failed to prevent the closure of Steveston secondary and in fact two Steveston elementary schools are under consideration for closure.
Mr. Sakai needs to provide data prior to proposing land use changes.
Al Williams
Richmond
