Open letter to MLA Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture,
As long-term residents of Richmond, we are extremely concerned about the recent decision by Richmond City Council to allow house sizes of over 10,000 sq. ft., on our precious farmland, as well as an additional house for farm workers of over 3,000 sq. ft.
This is completely out of line, and we cannot begin to understand the council’s weak stance on this issue.
It seems to be a case of blatant hypocrisy — in light of all the efforts being made by community groups to ensure our food security for the future — to be building massive mansions on farmland.
This is NOT the way to ensure we can feed our ever-burgeoning population here in Metro Vancouver.
We live in what used to be a delightful, rural part of south Richmond, but are now horrified to see the speed at which these vast estate homes are going up on the fields opposite us, with not a hint of the land being farmed.
When will the provincial government step in and put a stop to this unprecedented and superfluous growth?
Please act now, in the interests of all future generations, both here in Richmond and in the rest of Metro Vancouver.
Thank you very much for your attention to this vital issue that affects us.
Denyne Butler and
Carlie Holland
RICHMOND
