VANCOUVER - City Council was literally packed for the first night of hearings on lifting restrictions on Chinatown building heights. When opponents of the plan to allow 15-story luxury condo towers in Chinatown arrived, every seat was already occupied by condo supporters - all dressed in matching red t-shirts. They wouldn't even budge for elders.

So opponents of the "Historic Area Height Review" took up seats around the Council table - prompting City Manager Penny Ballem to force some of the red shirts to give up their seats for seniors.

Once the council meeting got underway, the split became apparent - the red shirts were generally speculators, property owners and their families - the opponents were small business owners, residents and their supporters.

Speakers against the plan cited the devastating impact condo towers would have on the low-income residents of Chinatown. They talked about the importance of affordable fresh food stores. They also cited the City's lack of public consultation and criticized the Vision Council's ploy to split off Chinatown from the rest of the Downtown Eastside in the height debate.

With 118 speakers on the list, more meetings are expected over the coming weeks - only 17 speakers made it to the podium. The next hearing is scheduled for April 5.