Dear Editor,
We live on Bird Road on the east side of Shell Road. Our neighbourhood is changing. Most of the lots on our side of the neighbourhood come close to 1/2 acre lots. On the other side of the street, our neighbours have smaller lots but are being sold with adjoining properties in order to get monster homes built.
One of the reasons I used to love my neighbourhood was the simple fact the old timer homes remained and so did the neighbours. Everyone knew each other. Not anymore!
Our older homes are being encroached on by monster homes exceeding 4,000-square-feet and we are feeling the squeeze. Many of these homes are being taxed as a single residence, however, they contain many suites that are rented out. We simply do not know our neighbours and the old timers are leaving.
Wake up, Richmond City Council. Do something now. You have known long enough, time is a-wasting. More mega homes are being built as we speak, before the new zoning gets approval. Stop allowing these monster homes to overtake our neighbourhoods. Grandfather the mega homes that are in the process of being built and take action today. Drastically limit home size and height restrictions in areas where older 1,600 - 2,400-square-foot homes exist. Allow more flexibility in your zoning bylaws to allow two, smaller homes, congruent with the older homes already there, to be built on lots between 70-100 feet. Let’s stop the massive homes being built, which clearly encroach on the older homes. Stop taxing these monster homes as a single residence as they clearly have rental suites in them.
I am encouraged to hear the city might be considering to not allow homes of certain sizes to be built. I hope it’s not empty promises.
L.P Cheet
Richmond
An open house on house massing will be held at Richmond City Hall Feb. 9. Residents can also voice their opinion via an online survey at Let’sTalkRichmond.ca
