Council voted against a 25-unit condominium for seniors on Monday night.
The owners of three lots on the corner of Dogwood Street and Wann Road in Porter Creek applied to rezone portions of their properties to allow for the development.
During a public hearing on June 23, seven residents spoke against the proposal. There were also 14 written submissions that opposed the plan; one included a petition with 46 signatures.
Most were concerned with the way the development would change the character of the neighbourhood. They also felt it would increase traffic, decrease privacy and impact the adjacent wetlands area.
The development would help deal with the city’s housing shortage and wouldn’t harm the community, said proponent Roseanna Goodman at Monday’s meeting.
“It’s meant for elderly or older people that have steady incomes and jobs and can afford to live there.”
“I have difficulty with this one, in this particular area,” said Councillor Doug Graham.
“And mostly it’s because of the quality of life of most of the residents around that area — we have to start taking that kind of stuff into consideration.
“I think there’s no doubt that they wouldn’t have a problem with subdividing these lots into single family residential.
“But just that high a concentration of homes or condos within that small an area to me is just inappropriate.”
The rest of the councillors agreed.
“It just does not fit — it’s a major, major development,” said Councillor Dave Stockdale. “It’s the wrong way to go. It’s not appropriate and I won’t support it.”
“Although I’m appreciative of the attempt to put some seniors’ housing into an area where there’s transit, where there’s stores and amenities, I would have a hard time supporting this,” said Mayor Bev Buckway.
“That said, I have no doubt in my mind that 20 years from now it will be subdivided. I believe that it’s a case of just too soon.”
Council voted unanimously to defeat the bylaw, not allowing it to go forward to second or third reading.