Will Garry Point serve as the launching point for moving homes slated for demolition out of Richmond?

This past Monday Richmond City councillors unanimously approved a new bylaw aimed at curbing waste from home demolitions, and they also accepted an additional resolution aimed at incentivizing moving homes out of the city  to rural areas, instead of having them demolished.

James Connolly of Nickel Bros. Housing Moving Ltd. told council that relocating homes from Richmond to places such as the Fraser Valley, Gulf Islands or Sunshine Coast is feasible and a 'green' option to the wrecking ball.

Connolly said he has 3 house relocations planned for Richmond next month, with one house heading for the San Juan Islands in Washington.

A typical house can be moved and renovated for about $80,000, thus providing affordable home options for rural property owners and a clearer conscious for a city aiming to reduce its community carbon emissions.

Connolly has called upon Richmond to institute a differential permit system, whereby demolition fees cost thousands of dollars and relocation fees are minimal.

The Town of Sidney has adopted these measures and has seen a world of difference in terms of the number of buildings being demolished.

Moving a house in Richmond at night is easy because it's accessible by water, flat and has few trees.

In 2015, there were 512 home demolitions in Richmond, according to demolition permit reports.  In 2011, there were 473, the previous highest figure since 2006. Since 2009, an annual average of 351 Richmond homes have met with the wrecking ball.

What are your thoughts?  Would you prefer to see how older homes moved rather than demolished?  I know I would!