At least two city councillors expressed their disappointment that Minato Village would not be redeveloped to include residential units on top of three planned retail commercial buildings.
Coun. Bill McNulty said more residents need to live in the area to support Steveston merchants. Coun. Carol Day asked for purpose-built rental units.
G and B Estates plans to build three one-storey commercial buildings with parking, anchored by a pharmacy and Dairy Queen.
Developer David Cristopher said the site is too small to allow for more parking for residents. As it stands the site will include 84 spaces. Had there been residential spaces on a second floor the site would have had to accomodate parking on the roof, which would have meant more limited access to retail stores, something G and B Estates did not want.
"Don't say we never tried to help," quipped McNulty, alluding to the fact it's normally developers asking council for increased density.
In the end, the committee voted unanimously to accept G and B Estate’s proposal.
