Dear Editor,
Re: “Mega home is hardly meant for farming in Richmond,” Letters, Dec. 28.
The loss of Richmond agricultural land as outlined in Mr. Baines’ letter is just the tip of the iceberg.
Agricultural land is increasingly bought by non-farming, land speculators who take advantage of slack regulations. It is an old game that now has even more new players.
In 1956, Richmond Municipal Council had a public planning meeting where they explained that the land east of No. 5 Rd. was for farming and the land south of Steveston Highway was for industry and agriculture.
Changes have been made ever since.
Port Metro Vancouver bought the Gilmore Farm for future industry. A common trend near the Fraser River is to see land zoned for industry changed to allow for more condos, including parts of Richmond’s Trites Road. and the north end of No. 4 Road. At the south end of No. 2 Road. more condos are appearing. Pieces of land, both agricultural and industrial have been disappearing like chunks of cheese at a cheese factory
Land that is needed for economic growth, jobs and food production is lost to piecemeal residential development.
The City of Richmond should buy agricultural land south of Steveston Highway and lease it out for farming. Growing food would have more long range value than some of the other recent projects propped up by never-ending funds from the city.
Parcels of fertile agricultural land with mega-homes, no crops and low taxes are a joke, if it were not so sad. It is time to get Richmond’s land use under control.
Andy Felker
Richmond
