Charlottetown council nixes proposal for 38-unit apartment building on Longworth Avenue
The project at 70 Longworth Ave. needs special approval because a site that small in that neighbourhood is only allowed to have about 20 units.
Councillors voted 7-1 against the project at their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, in part because of pushback from some neighbours.
"The residents spoke very articulately and and very clearly, [saying] that they are not against development," said Deputy Mayor Alana Jankov, the councillor for the area.
"They're very, very much in favour of development, but felt that this was very aggressive and... double what was as-of-right for the area."
Coun. Bob Doiron was the only one to support letting the project move ahead.
He cited P.E.I.'s urgent need for housing units, especially near businesses, services and transit routes.
Residents had objected
But the other councillors were convinced by the strong opposition movement.
Neighbours had picketed, phoned their councillors and written formal letters insisting the new five-storey building would bring a dangerous amount of traffic to the area, home to many young children and close to Birchwood Junior High.
They also said the existing multi-unit building at 70 Longworth should be preserved, given its age. It is not designated as a heritage property, but is an older house that has been divided into rental units.
The city's manager of development planning, David Gundrum, had come to council on Tuesday night seeking a deferral of the developer's request for a variance, saying there was evidence that the current building did have some historic value.
That was because the building was either owned or occupied by Alexander Bannerman Warburton, who in the 1890s served as premier of Prince Edward Island for eight months.
Instead of supporting the delay to allow more time for research, though, councillors decided to vote on the overall request and turned it down.
Owner says structure 'beyond repair'
"The proposed apartment building on Longworth is a response to the condition of the existing structure, which is beyond repair, and the urgent need for more housing in Charlottetown," owner Red Dirt Development told CBC News in a statement in late July.
WATCH | Plan to raze historic Charlottetown home prompts protest from residents:
"This underutilized downtown lot presents an opportunity to create new housing within walking distance of key amenities and public transit. Our goal is to contribute positively to the community by increasing housing options in a sustainable, well-connected location."
Jankov also chairs Charlottetown's planning and heritage committee.
After Tuesday night's vote, she said the committee hopes Red Dirt Development will come back with another proposal for the site — one that includes fewer units.
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