Dear Editor,
There appears to be a rising level of concern over the trend in property development in Richmond.
This is well founded as it appears that in traditional family neighbourhoods with quiet, tree-lined streets. Comfortable homes are being torn down and replaced with monster dwellings.
Questions are being raised as to how this transformation can be allowed to take place. It appears that it is a clever money laundering scheme whereby funds of dubious origin are involved in the initial purchase of a family home only to have the land redeveloped in a matter of days.
There is no need for occupancy as the owner remains offshore while their money is being cleansed. It would be interesting to know the true residential addresses of the true owners of these houses.
Richmond City Hall is turning a blind eye to this development and continues to issue building permits. Three-storey homes have become the norm. A classic example of a “monster” is a development near Steveston Highway and the West Dyke, bordering on Coun. Harold Steve’s farm.
Viewed from the dyke, it appears to be the makings of a drive-in cinema with a giant screen. People walking the dyke stare at this development as much as they watch the cows grazing nearby.
Alan Johnson
Richmond
