Dear Editor,
During the boisterous city meetings on the issue of house size on farmland, one kind of voice has been silent.
There was no Association of Farmland lessees lobbying to keep mansions from being built on farmland.
This is an important group because, due to the high cost of farmland (fuelled by speculation), many farmers cannot afford to buy land to farm. Some manage to lease.
Farmers such as that are at the whim of the farmland owner. The owner may not want any animals.
Or, they may not like the smell of manure being spread. Or, the dust from farm equipment may conflict with their poolside activities.
Because of their vulnerability, it may not be prudent for these lessees to speak out.
A fitting limit on the landowners’ house sizes will not end that sort of problem, but it will be a start that is overdue.
Please keep it in mind when you consider whether to be involved.
The public hearing is on May 15.
You can learn about it in the city council section of the Richmond.ca website.
Sharon MacGougan
President, Garden City
Conservation Society
