Dear Editor,
Re: “Walls, fences don’t make neighbourly neighbourhoods,” News, Dec. 2.
The City of Richmond has done what many residents have long asked for: reconsider our bylaws on mega houses that are taking over our neighbourhoods. Are we taking our responsibility by participating in this local democracy?
I suggest it is not good enough to just complain. We must all take some of our valuable time and participate. The deadline to complete a survey is fast approaching on March 5.
This is a critical issue for the livability of neighbourhoods. We must ask ourselves: Are we concerned about the negative effects of massive houses, which includes the loss of privacy and sunlight from new houses that tower over their neighbour’s backyard fences. Does it bother us that we’re seeing less and less room for plants, trees and birds, while new “Richmond Specials” take up increasingly more space for huge driveways, garages, bricks and gates. Do you wonder about fire safety and drainage problems with houses so close together?
I believe there are solid reasons to change the bylaws to increase building setbacks from property lines, increase green space and restrict unwelcoming entry gates and walls. Whatever your views are, if you don’t complete a survey (LetsTalkRichmond.ca), your opinion will not be counted.
Steven Guthrie
Richmond
