Dear Editor,
Re: “Richmond targets B&Bs,” News, Oct. 13.
I have just read the article citing the Coopers, who have operated Stone Hedge B&B for more than 20 years.
They have been a legitimate business all these years and have people come to stay from all over the globe.
I am sure they have done their best to respect the City of Richmond’s bylaws.
They have had many commendations from the Hotel Association and others. So, why are they being hassled when there are so many others making a killing and not paying any attention to bylaws or anything else?
The City of Richmond and, indeed, B.C. needs to address this problem of foriegn speculators buying homes for this use and putting honest citizens, such as the Coopers, out of business.
Why do they have to make alterations to a room in the yard that has been there for 20 years, and that bylaw officials have always been aware of?
Yet, if they had not complied with regulations in the first place, you would not have their address and would not be harassing them!
The powers that be need to get on top of the real threat and do something about it and leave the small businesses alone.
Targeting people such as the Coopers, and not others, breeds suspicion.
Why? Is the problem too big for the officials to figure out, without bothering an honest business to give residents the idea something is actually being done?
Get a committee together and do something about the baby passport mills and illegal Airbnbs before legitimate operations go broke and Richmond goes down the tube.
Maggie Smith
Richmond
