Building compromise

A local developer is moving ahead to build a new apartment building on Melon Street.

The majority of council approved an amended proposal at Monday night’s meeting to allow developer Mike Vecchio to move ahead with his building project. Only Red River Coun. Brian McKinnon voted against the proposal.

The original plan was to build an apartment building 12 metres high.

After hearing council discuss the potential of delaying the project, Vecchio offered to lower the height to 11 metres as well as move the fence line back.

“Those are the two things I can do right now because I think it is important that we make a decision tonight,” he told council prior to the vote.

“People are desperate to find apartments. We have the lowest vacancy rate ever. When I do have a unit for rent I get hundreds of calls. The supply is terrible it is all over the news. It is the worse that it has ever been.”

Council gave those who attended the meeting a chance to speak on the proposal.  The majority opposed the new apartment building by saying it was too tall.

Janet Teras and her husband, Ron, spoke on behalf of their neighbourhood. They said that the building will be has high as a telephone pole and would intrude on their privacy.

“The proposed buildings would be so close to our residence that it would feel invasive while working or being outside in our backyard,” she said. “I’m an automotive salesperson and I speak to people all day at work. My backyard is my sanctuary. It allows me to get closer to nature and relax with family. With two apartment buildings of this size and height next door, our sense of privacy would be greatly compromised.”

After hearing that the building will be lowered about a metre, Ron said it was still too high.

McKinnon, whose ward the apartment buildings are in, said he voted against the proposal because there was enough residents who were unhappy with the project.

“I sat with them and the contractor as well and at the end of the day I thought there needs to be a supportive voice for the neighbours,” he said. “I thought that was the only way I could do it. I had a sense I was going to lose anyway. As it unfolded there were some compromises made.”