Dear Editor,
Re: “Legal zoning doesn’t make it right,” Letters, March 8.
John Edmondson’s letter concerning the effect of megahomes on established neighborhoods rang very true for my wife and me.
We live at the house on Doulton Place that has been “sentenced to limited natural light.” Along the west side of our property, a 75-80 foot-long continuous wall is going up. It does indeed extend far beyond our house, blocking the sun, adversely affecting our garden and condemning us to being hemmed in by a “warehouse wall.”
The bigger concern, for hundreds, if not thousands, of Richmond residents affected in this way, is the lack of sensitivity and respect given to all of us who live in established neighbourhoods.
Many of us have lived here for decades, raised our children and contributed to the community, only to be swamped by developers whose motto seems to be “Build it, sell it, move on.”
Faced with this, the question becomes “who will stick up for those residents whose quality of life is being diminished?”
Who is representing us and our concerns when it comes to the effects of massive houses?
Furthermore, how do developers and city council reconcile the building of these large houses with preservation of the environment? Much of a torn-down house ends up in the land-fill, while new, massive houses consume more energy and resources than those they replace and the resultant loss of trees, grass, flowers, etc. is making us an “Island City — without nature.”
Why hasn’t city council, which for many years has presided over this growing problem, brought in stronger bylaws and regulations to deal with this? Why, for example, do they not consider the following:
- Publishing plans for single-family residences when applications are first made. This would give residents a chance to give feedback and “social license” to the proposals;
- Consider the concept of “Heritage Neighbourhoods” to ensure development and renovation that is consistent with the character of a neighbourhood. If we can protect Steveston, we can protect other areas of Richmond;
- Through much stronger by-laws and incentives, encourage renovation rather than easily accepting a tear-down mentality.
If the current by-laws are unchanged our neighbourhoods risk being further destroyed. And, yes, while what’s happening now may be legal, that doesn’t make it right!
Ray and Janet Holme
Richmond
