In a complete 180-degree reversal, city council voted 6 to 3 in favour of an amendment limiting house sizes on the Agricultural Land Reserve in Richmond to 4,200 sq. ft.

This is less than what was proposed at a General Committee Meeting last week of 5,382 sq. ft. in keeping with provincial guidelines and upcoming new legislation.

The previous council had approved 10,764 sq. ft. and an additional dwelling of 3,229 sq.ft. on larger ALR parcels. The issue will next go to a public hearing and a final vote in the very near future.

KUDOS to those councillors who voted in favour of this reduction, and for doing the right thing. Future generations will thank you for preserving our farmland. With climate change, food sovereignty will become increasingly important. Well done!