The architect's model of the condo development was displayed at the board meeting Monday evening. The architect's model of the condo development was displayed at the board meeting Monday evening. (CBC)

A controversial condominium development on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside got the go-ahead from the city Monday night despite opposition from many in the community.

The development permit board approved Concord Pacific's plan to build a seven-storey building at 58 West Hastings with shops on the ground level and 160 residential condos above.

The site is currently an empty lot just half-a-block from the landmark Woodwards redevelopment project, which will provide some social housing for low income residents,

Concord's plan for the new project does not include social housing, and that angered citizens and activists who showed up at the meeting to voice their concerns.

Members of the public address the development permit meeting in Vancouver on Monday evening. Members of the public address the development permit meeting in Vancouver on Monday evening. (CBC)

"I just moved here in December, and I'm shocked at the poverty I've seen," said Marcus Waddington, referring to the high level of homelessness on the Downtown Eastside.

"When I take this to my country in the Third World and tell them that this rich country cannot provide affordable housing for their residents ... this is a damn shame," said Ayisha Faruk.

"So, either you guys do the right thing, which is probably impossible, or you take on the fight that this community is willing to wage," said Harsha Walia, a project co-ordinator with the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre.

No social housing required for permit

But the city council has already decided that the development does not need social housing, and that's something the development permit board cannot change, said Brent Toderian, the City of Vancouver's director of planning and a member of the development permit board.

"Council has already made a decision that market housing is allowed in this neighbourhood, and it is not the purview of the board, even if we wanted it to be," said Toderian.

But after the strong opposition, a spokesperson for Concord Pacific said the company will do more work with the community before it finalizes its plan and hinted the plan could eventually include some social housing.