Harold Steves responded to calls for term limits by the Richmond Community Coalition and independent Jerome Dickey.
Steves, a New Democrat, said he would limit his own terms if he knew the environment would be protected, however, there are no other environmentalists on council.
He said developers ought to have limits on many times they can apply for a permit (some developers spend decades, waiting for politicians to turn).
RCC council candidate Dan Baxter, a former political strategist and federal government policy maker, said the concept is "interesting" but ultimately term limits encourage fresh faces on council, irregardless of ideologies.
