Dear Editor,
Re: “Alas, Richmond is gone,“ Letters, April 13.
Joanne Mantie complains that the Broadmoor neighbourhood she has known for 25 years is gone and, now, so is she.
However, many long-time residents of that area are, in part, responsible for the situation they find themselves in (surrounded by large redeveloped houses).
In 1989, the city created Section 702, the Single-Family Lot Size Policy Study, which effectively froze the large lot format of many of Richmond’s established neighbourhoods. Ironically, the original impetus of the policy was concerns by residents that subdivision of large lots to allow for two smaller houses, was creating a “lack of stability and constant pressure” on the large-lot neighbourhoods.
Fast forward to today, and now we have people who are very upset that “neighbours from overseas” are taking advantage of the large lot size and building “mega mansions”. Ironically, if it wasn’t for the Lot Size Policy, the subdivided lots would have seen houses in the 2,500 square foot range, almost exactly the same size as the original homes. Compare and contrast neighbourhoods like Broadmoor to the Steveston Grid, where lots can and have been subdivided. Yes, the original neighbourhood has changed, but the change has been positive and has contributed to the ongoing (and increased?) vitality of the area.
So, instead of “mega mansions” full of “neighbours from overseas,” the smaller houses/lots, being much more affordable, may have seen the neighbourhood re-populated with young families, which would have generated more enrollment for local elementary schools, possibly to the point where Richmond’s student population would not require the imminent closure of schools.
I suggest that it is time to re-examine (and hopefully repeal) this antiquated policy, and find ways to create more homes for young families in Richmond.
Times have changed since the late 1980s, and our land use policies must reflect those changes, so that we can continue to improve Richmond’s livability.
Mark Sakai
Richmond
