July 20, 2026 – Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Claudia Jesson, Corporate Officer

Call to Order:

Mayor Brodie opened the proceedings at 5:31 p.m.

PH26/6-1

It was moved and seconded

That the order of the agenda be varied to consider Item No. 2 and Item No. 3 first.

CARRIED

2.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 10766 (RZ ZT 25-022777)

(Location:  Unit 105 – 2777 Jow Street; Applicant:  Bridgeport East BT Holdings Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH26/6-2

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10766 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

3.

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW 9000, AMENDMENT BYLAW 10767

(Location:  City-wide; Applicant:  City of Richmond)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH26/6-3

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10767 be given second and third readings.

The question on Resolution PH26/6-3 was not called as discussion ensued regarding the removal of the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) designation.

The question on Resolution PH26/6-3 was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Gillanders and Wolfe opposed.

PH26/6-4

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10767 be adopted.

CARRIED

Opposed:  Cllrs. Gillanders

Wolfe

PH26/6-5

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10768 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

Opposed:  Cllrs. Gillanders

Wolfe

PH26/6-6

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10768 be adopted.

CARRIED

Opposed:  Cllrs. Gillanders

Wolfe

1.

TEMPORARY USE PERMIT (TU 26-011521)

(Location:  2520, 2540, 2560, 2580, 2600, 2640 Smith Street and 9031 Bridgeport Road; Applicant:  BC Housing Management Commission)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

48 email submissions in support (Schedule 1).

7 email submissions in opposition (Schedule 2).

1 memorandum from staff (Schedule 3).

Submissions from the floor:

Gary Law, Richmond resident, spoke to the lack of evidence and information that allows the public to measure the performance of Aster Place and improvements should be addressed to management and to public safety before the renewal of the temporary use permit (TUP).

Kevin Lai, Richmond resident, spoke to needing better management and stronger accountability for residents to protect the surrounding community.

Sam Wang, Richmond resident, spoke to the public cost of maintaining Aster Place, the demand it places on RCMP, Richmond Fire Rescue, and bylaw enforcement, the negative impact this has on neighbouring businesses and that measurable improvements are needed.

Phyllis Tang, Richmond resident, expressed concerns to youth safety and the need for accountability and enforcement at Aster Place.

Jizhou Wang (William Wang), Richmond resident, spoke in opposition to the renewal of the TUP, emphasizing the lack of metrics and accountability of Aster Place and the need to develop an accountable operational plan, an incident and complaint reporting system with an independent safety review.

Gary WeiFu Li, Richmond resident, spoke to the lack of accountability, public safety issues, the negative impacts on surrounding businesses and if this is the best use of City-owned land.

Sheldon Starrett, Richmond resident, spoke to the negative impacts and consequences of Aster Place, highlighting the lack of public metrics to warrant the renewal of the TUP.

Keefer Pelech, Richmond resident, spoke in favour of extending the TUP as housing first provides stability and care, with positive impacts on health while reducing the number of emergency related calls.  With the shortage of alternate housing options, if the TUP is not renewed, the city will see an increase in homelessness and encampments.

Jeff Jiang, Richmond resident, expressed concerns regarding the operations and metrics used to evaluate Aster Place’s success and how many residents have transitioned to permanent housing.

Milly Yee, Richmond resident, expressed support in renewing the TUP emphasizing public safety, homelessness, and substance use concerns and that the City needs to strengthen the memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing a comprehensive transition plan for the residents of Astor Place.

Stephanie Scramstad, Richmond resident and after-hours outreach worker, spoke in support of renewing the TUP, noting modular housing solutions are complex but it is a safe hub for essential services and supports to help the most vulnerable residents move forward.

Alex Sagert, Richmond resident, spoke in opposition to renewing the TUP, emphasizing the need to assess whether this model has delivered the promised outcomes for residents, and stressing that measurable results should be demonstrated before any renewal is considered.

Daniel Tsang, Richmond resident, spoke in opposition to renewing the TUP emphasizing transparent accountability and disclosure of measurable results while exploring alternative solutions if the current model can’t demonstrate proven success.

Jerome Dickey, Richmond resident, spoke to the impact to the surrounding neighbourhood, the need for regular public reporting on measurable outcomes, strengthening the MOU with BC Housing, and expanding treatment, mental health services and affordable housing initiatives.

Dean Billings, Richmond resident, expressed concerns regarding residents and businesses in the surrounding neighbourhood and if improvements have been made to justify to the renewal of the TUP.

Dickens Cheung, Richmond resident, expressed concerns regarding public safety and spoke to the operational challenges of Aster Place suggesting limiting the renewal to 12 months and would like a credible plan brought forward in conjunction with the Province and BC Housing on how improvements can be made.

Alton Cheung, Richmond resident, spoke in support in renewing the TUP, emphasizing a focus on investing more in recovery facilities, public housing and employment initiatives.  Housing people is already a big result and opposing the renewal would only increase homelessness in Richmond.

Tamas Revoczi, Richmond resident, spoke in support in renewing the TUP, highlighting the management, services, and the stability Aster Place provides to residents and that the possible drug use and crime can be linked to the proximity to the SkyTrain, Oak Street Bridge and the abandoned industrial areas.

Mathew Ho, Richmond resident, spoke in support in renewing the TUP, emphasizing the need in tackling concerns around crime in Richmond and strengthening the safeguards and accountability in the program.

Yali Trost, Aldergrove resident, spoke in opposition in renewing the TUP, noting drug addiction issues and the movement towards medically supported care facilities.

Councillor Carol Day left the meeting (7:42 p.m.) and returned (7:43 p.m.).

Renee Han, Richmond resident, spoke in opposition to renewing the TUP, noting that Aster Place was a temporary program and citing the need for better management, accountability, measurable results, and concerns over public safety, crime, and the lack of a clear path to permanent housing.

Steven Qian, Richmond resident, spoke in opposition noting that Aster Place was a temporary measure and has negatively impacted public safety and businesses.

Bai Chen, Richmond resident, spoke in opposition of renewing the TUP, noting drug use and addiction deteriorates the city.

Rob Howard, Richmond resident, spoke in opposition to renewing the TUP and would like a one-year phase out of the current BC Housing program transitioning residents into proper, secure treatment facilities.  Richmond residents deserve safe streets, safe open spaces, and safe parks.

Deirdre Whalen, Richmond resident, spoke to the lack of accountability and transparency in the current structure and that Aster Place needs to implement second stage housing that would provide metrics and results; developing a true continuum of services to help people recover and contribute to society.

Mark Lee, Richmond resident, spoke in support of renewing the TUP, noting rejecting the renewal will set the City further back while rising housing costs push more people into homelessness that brings with it public safety concerns, open drug use, and the cycle of poverty.

Jennifer Fu, Elisa Gao, and Nil Tabak, Richmond students, spoke on saying no to drugs and to keeping Richmond healthy and safe.

Tracey Hanford, Aster Place tenant, expressed concerns with the management and the need for change at the Provincial level.

In response to queries from Committee, Ms. Hanford supports the renewal of the TUP but noted that she would like a review of the operations and more accountabilities taken as real change is needed to ensure that the residents can move to permanent housing.

Karen Novorr-Pezzuto, Richmond resident, spoke in opposition to renewing the TUP, suggesting the City ask BC Housing to find real solutions and make the necessary modifications.

PH26/6-7

It was moved and seconded

To permit the continued operation of the existing 40-unit temporary modular supportive housing development for a period of three years beginning March 15, 2027.

The question on Resolution PH26/6-7 was not called as reply to queries from Council, representatives from Community Builders and BC Housing noted that (i) there was no interest from the neighbours to participate on the Community Advisory Committee, therefore, no regular meetings or updates were published or available to the City, (ii) two neighbourhood complaints have been received and communicated to City staff, (iii) there is a shortage of available permanent affordable housing options but Community Builders continues to offer supports to help the residents move on, (iv) to date, 70 people have come through Aster Place and 15 have moved on to other communities or housing options, (v) substance use is not the majority at Aster Place but supports are in place to help people with recovery, (vi) Aster Place can not implement a no drug policy at the site as the site is already operational and governed by the Residential Tenancy Act with signed residential tenancy agreements in place, (vii) Aster Place offers a range of programs, supports, and events to residents, (viii) there are two 24 hour staff members that provide security, and (ix) drug use is not permitted in public spaces at Aster Place.

Councillor Wolfe left the meeting (8:37 p.m.) and returned at (8:44 p.m.).

Further discussion ensued regarding (i) the timing of the renewal of the TUP, (ii) safety issues, (iii) emergency call metrics and reporting updates, (iv) management and oversight of Aster Place, (v) the need for more permanent housing, and (vi) strengthening the MOU.

The question on Resolution PH26/6-7 was not called as the following amendment motion was introduced:

PH26/6-8

It was moved and seconded

That the motion be amended to add:

That the Aster Place Program be referred to staff to review and to recommend improvements to the Memorandum of Understanding between the parties, the operations of Aster Place, the reporting procedures and the programming for residents.

The question on Resolution PH26/6-8 was not called as further discussion ensued regarding the term of the TUP and staff’s review and consultation of the operations, programs and procedures.

The question on Resolution PH26/6-8 was then called, and it was CARRIED.

The question on the main motion as amended, which reads as follows:

(1)

To permit the continued operation of the existing 40-unit temporary modular supportive housing development for a period of three years beginning March 15, 2027; and

(2)

That the Aster Place Program be referred to staff to review and to recommend improvements to the Memorandum of Understanding between the parties, the operations of Aster Place, the reporting procedures and the programming for residents.

was not called, as there was agreement to deal with Parts (1) and (2) separately.

The question on Part 2 of Resolution PH26/6-7 was called and it was CARRIED.

The question on Part 1 of Resolution PH26/6-7 was not called as an amendment motion was introduced

PH26/6-9

It was moved and seconded

That the term of the permit be changed from three to two years.

The question on Resolution PH26/6-9 was not called as discussion ensued regarding the term of the TUP.

The question on Part 1 of the main motion as amended, which reads as follows:

To permit the continued operation of the existing 40-unit temporary modular supportive housing development for a period of two years beginning March 15, 2027.

was then called, and it was DEFEATED with Mayor Brodie, Cllrs. Gillanders, Heed, Loo, and Wolfe opposed.

The question on Part 1 of Resolution PH26/6-7 of the main motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Heed and Loo opposed.

ADJOURNMENT

PH26/6-10

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (9:32 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Regular meeting for Public Hearings of the City of Richmond held on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)