Dear Editor,
Onni’s current publicity stunt is insulting to the residents of Steveston. Their development of the Imperial Landing site has been a very well orchestrated ploy ever since it was conceived. Thanks to the incompetence and compliance of city hall, Onni was issued an original development permit based on a maritime theme which was never intended to be carried out. Onni has very deep pockets and they settle disputes in the courts where they can run circles around city hall. Onni has no concept of community awareness or social values. The current attempt to win over the community by putting on a carnival is simply an attempt to buy support. How shabby can they get?
City hall, and its elected officials, are as much to blame as Onni for the four-year “Mexican standoff” that has no end in sight. It is obvious that city hall had no idea as to what a maritime theme was all about at the time they issued the development permit. However, it has been mooted that a marina facility is needed. This should have been included in the Onni development permit.
There is room to build a fully serviced marina to accommodate 300-400 pleasure boats. The cost of this facility would become the full responsibility of Onni and fits with their permit to develop according to a maritime theme. The problem is that the Fraser River is rapidly becoming a major commercial transport route putting pleasure craft more and more at risk.
There is nothing attractive about the Imperial Landing site as it stands. There is no greenery and/or shade trees where people can sit and enjoy the river view.
Is city hall really prepared to stand up to this developer?
Alan Johnson
Richmond
