Richmond City Council's decision to approve a new shopping centre in the West Cambie area sparked some comments on the Richmond News' facebook page.
Here's what some readers had to say:
After almost three hours of impassioned pleas begging city council to say no; it said yes, gifting to Richmond in the process its first ever Walmart.
At a packed out, standing room only public hearing in chambers, city council, by a majority 6-2 vote, approved SmartCentres' controversial $150 million, 10-year-old proposal for a 14-acre, outdoor shopping centre - anchored by U.S. retail giant Walmart.
Councillors Harold Steves and Chak Au were the only two to vote against the West Cambie plan - bound by Alderbridge Way, Garden City, Alexandra and No. 4 roads.
Before the plan was approved, veteran Steves went as far as to brand the development the "worst or second worst" the city has ever been involved with.
However, although many in the audience had nothing but condemnation for the proposal — traffic concerns, loss of green space and views, environmental damage and dislike of Walmart topped the list — there was a surprising amount of approval for the project. Of the people in favour, they welcomed the estimated 1,000 jobs (albeit admittedly low paid), convenience and access to lower prices Walmart and the other tenants of the so-called "Central at Garden City" would bring when it opens in 2016.
Coun. Ken Johnston, who voted in favour, said the project has been scaled back over its protracted 10-year journey in and out of the city's planning process. Johnston said the development boasts impressive LEED standards and he rebuffed criticism that city council is disrespecting nature by entertaining SmartCentres' proposal.
And of the fears for small businesses in the area should Walmart come to town, Johnston said a "whole bunch" of small businesses are directly involved in the shopping centre plan.
Smartcentres told The News last week how, out of "respect for the neighbourhood, it only took advantage of less than half the density and height permitted under the West Cambie Area Plan.
Even still, many detractors claimed the views looking north from the adjacent Garden City Lands would be forever "destroyed" if the mall proceeded.
At a planning committee meeting last month, SmartCentres, in a bid to win favour with city council, offered $238,000 towards more park enhancements within the West Cambie site and for "ecological" improvements within nearby West Cambie Park. The move was, in part, motivated by the potential loss of environmentally sensitive area (ESA) designated land within the proposed shopping centre site.
A number of intersection improvements in the area are also being paid for by the developer.
What residents said
For —
Corey and Alice Rochette: “We want to see the jobs created in the area and the convenience of having a shopping centre.”
Erica Simm: “This is a necessity for the area and the developer has more than accommodated the naysayers. Any more cuts to the density and height and we’ll end up with something inadequate.”
Michelle Braun: “Not having to drive to Queensborough (Walmart) would be great.”
Against —
Nancy Trant: “A roof garden and a few small trees is no compensation for what we’re losing; some of us don’t want an ugly, big box shopping centre.”
Jim Wright: “If you look at the view from the Garden City Lands, there’s nothing but nature all the way to the North Shore Mountains; it’s Richmond’s great natural legacy…please don’t squander it.”
Lynn Davis: “The whole thing smacks of rubberstamping…we should live by our “Child of the Fraser” (motto).
For —
Vijay Sidhu: “We want the ability to shop where you live.”
Reg Sheer: “There are rats, skunks, garbage and abandoned homes in there; it’s the worst place in Richmond and I can’t understand the problems people have with Walmart.”
Against —
Graeme Bone: “I have a problem with the inward facing design…there will be an emptiness in there at night that could attract a certain element.”
Yvonne Bell: “I’ve been coming to meetings like this since I was seven and 99 per cent of the time, the decision goes against me. There are some beautiful large trees down there that will have to go (for this development). That’s the will of Walmart.”
Cathy Shannon: “For 10 years you have said no, Vancouver said no (to Walmart), people will drive in here from all over and the traffic will be a nightmare. I think you’re being fooled.”
Michael Wolfe: “I will be boycotting Walmart for the rest of my life. Council has been the recipient of “treetop propaganda”…and there have been many in-camera meetings between council and Walmart. We’ve seen bribes ($238,000 for environmental improvements) and slaps in the face.”
What city council said
For —
Evelina Halsey-Brandt: “We can’t always please everybody…but we always envisaged this here. This is not Richmond of 1971, we have to accommodate the growing population.”
Linda Barnes: “This is about land use and the applicant has been asked continually to work within the West Cambie Area Plan. It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough.”
Ken Johnston: “I have it 13 for and 13 against on my scorecard here, but this is a land use application and it’s been scaled back over the years.”
Derek Dang: “We have the ability here to change the neighbourhood in terms of traffic and this is our opportunity to fix it.”
Bill McNulty: “I was the one on council to hold Walmart’s feet to the fire and I was told I gave them a hard time. However, I believe we’re growing as a city…Walmart is just one of those companies that’s going to help this city grow; we don’t legislate the (stores), that’s not our job, this is about the use of the land.”
Malcolm Brodie opted not to comment directly on the proposal, instead asking city staff to look into improvements to the natural buffer on the Garden City Road side of the project.
Against —
Harold Steves: “This is not a good use of the property; they’re taking green space away and insulting us with a fake park and fake trees. I would support a large Walmart store if it was in the city centre core and I can’t support their cheap jobs — (Walmart) held a food drive in the U.S. for their own staff! This is not a neighbourhood shopping centre, it’s an insult.”
Chak Au: “I would like staff to look into providing those (natural) buffers. But because I think that suggestion would be voted down, I will have to vote against this proposal as it stands.”
