Dear Editor,
One wonders how decisions are taken by bodies that are elected by the general public to look after its interests and plan for its future.
The decision taken by Richmond city council to grant Onni a change in zoning was a rash one. It raises a lot of questions: were there any plans to move businesses from Steveston Village to the new site on the waterfront? Are we so tired of antique store fronts on Moncton Street that we want to move restaurants and retailers to modern buildings?
Except for two councillors, nobody cared what would happen to the existing businesses in the heritage Steveston Village.
Onni had been granted all the concessions it could ask for, even before the change in zoning was granted.
It was allowed to have three-storey buildings, affording residents on the third floor waterfront views, it was granted concessions in parking.
Meanwhile, businesses on Moncton Street are subject to numourous heritage codes. You cannot go higher than two storeys, for example. And you cannot make any external changes, nor can you demolish a building to replace it with a new, modern one.
The heritage of the village was sold out for a mere $5.5 million — a totally insignificant sum in comparison to the loss the Village has taken. Steveston Village cannot count its losses now, but in 10-20 years, we will look back and see what a mistake it was.
S. Ramji
RICHMOND
