A couple dozen Richmond residents were lined up to speak at a public hearing Monday about the Polygon Talisman 1,300+ housing development plan in Capstan – and an overwhelming number spoke in favour.
But when Coun. Carol Day tried to ask Polygon whether they asked their contacts to speak on behalf of the project, Mayor Malcolm Brodie asked her to move onto the next question.
“I’ve heard all kinds of people who’ve been lobbied tonight and every other public hearing,” he added.
Several speakers praised Polygon and spoke of the need for more condos to provide housing for the next generation coming into the market.
Polygon Talisman is being planned on Cambie Road just west of Garden City Road with 1,341 units – 156 will be affordable rental homes and 171 will be market rental homes.
One Richmond resident, Lerlen Teves, speaking at the public hearing in favour of the project, said she has bought a condo – in addition to owning her primary home – which she is renting out now until her children can move into it.
“Housing prices are out of reach for most, so I purchased a condo so that my children could have a home of their own when they’re old enough to do so,” Teves said.
However, Steveston resident Michelle Li said this argument made her “so sad,” because not everyone can afford to buy a condo for their children and it just emphasized the need for more rental housing to address the current housing crisis.
“No one should have to struggle in their life so they can make sure their children can live in the same city,” Li told Richmond city council. “It’s horrendous that this is the situation we’re in and it makes me want to cry.”
As a teacher, she said she sees many families struggling to find housing in Richmond, in situations that are “truly heartbreaking.”
“Housing is not a commodity, housing is a human right,” Li said.
Arguing in favour of the Polygon development, Coun. Andy Hobbs pointed out David Eby, B.C.’s minister of housing, was recently quoted as saying what’s needed to solve the housing crisis is “supply, supply, supply.”
Hobbs pointed out, again quoting Eby, Canada ranks the lowest in the G7 countries for housing supply and is short 1.8 million homes.
Furthermore, he added, 50,000 people moved to B.C. in the first six months of 2021 while there were only 6,000 housing units on the market.
Hobbs said this development isn’t just about density, rather it’s also a development that is integrated into the surrounding area.
“It’s about… creating a place where families have a chance to buy and a chance to live,” he said, although he acknowledged it can be expensive.
In the end, city council voted 6-3 in favour of the development with Couns. Michael Wolfe, Chak Au and Day voting against it.
