Editor:
It is a sad fact that despite years of PAN letters addressing the issue of protection of properties and trees, White Rock and Surrey councils appear unable to hear their constituents’ concerns.
What is happening now in our communities is irreversible.
In Surrey, Ocean Park and White Rock, there is an unprecedented loss of habitat for species native to this area – evidenced by the number of trees that fall every year in Surrey alone.
It has been painful to read how the tree fines paid by developers are then scooped up by our city. They take that same dirty money and plant inferior trees that do little to improve or replace the habitat lost.
Once the trees are gone, construction of new homes begin.
Recently, D. Walmsley of Surrey wrote about the destruction of “ranchers – prime real estate for folks downsizing but not wanting to go into condos with all the problems of strata” (Bylaws must protect homes, April 1 letters.)
I too, question whether any bylaws are in place to protect our areas. Many people who have raised their children and want to enjoy their grandchildren in the same area or home can’t.
Construction of mega-homes has negatively impacted residents who would prefer not to pass a coffee to the neighbour next door through their window or be plunged into perpetual darkness.
Protecting existing residents’ views or privacy is not even on the radar of those who approve these developments.
I don’t believe we can describe any of this as being neighbourly when you start off by taking so much away from the homeowners next door.
Our city councils do not hear the cries of residents who are plain sick and tired of living with ongoing construction. They obviously feel no empathy for those whose properties have been negatively impacted by the lack of proper bylaws and poor city planning decisions.
I have come to the conclusion that the mayors of White Rock and Surrey must live untouched by development, dump trucks and changing landscape. This is why it would be hard for them to understand the plight of so many who have taken the time to express their concerns.
When you sit so comfortably with money flowing into city coffers during the day and sleep easy at night on a quiet street, it becomes impossible to imagine how difficult big development must be for others.
J. Chandler, Surrey