Apartment plan irks Charlottetown neighbours
Last Updated: Thursday, July 29, 2010 | 8:46 AM AT
CBC News
A proposal for a four-storey apartment building in downtown Charlottetown has upset some people in the neighbourhood.
'I think it will be great economic opportunities for the businesses, and hopefully enhance the neighbourhood.'— developer Dico Reijers,
The building would be taller and wider than city bylaws allow, so the developer is asking for an exception.
"We wouldn't mind if someone wanted to build a house there, but certainly not a 29-unit apartment building," Beverly LeBlanc told CBC News Wednesday.
LeBlanc has lived on Dorchester Street for 66 years. She's already upset about development on the waterfront, and is fighting a plan for apartments at the corner of Dorchester and Weymouth.
"It's just blocking everything out. They've already ruined the waterfront as far as I'm concerned," she said.
Dico Reijers, owner of developer T S Magnum of Charlottetown, said the property is too expensive for a smaller building. He believes the apartments would be an asset to the neighbourhood.
"People want to live downtown in Charlottetown, and people tend to do business where they live," said Reijers.
"I think it will be great economic opportunities for the businesses, and hopefully enhance the neighbourhood, and the enhance some of the values of the properties around there."
The company has asked the city to make an exception for the building, so it can be four metres higher than current bylaws allow. A petition is going around to stop the development.
Reijers said he wants to work with residents to come up with a solution.
LeBlanc and other residents have until Aug. 6 to tell city hall what they think. Then the company's proposal will go to the city's planning committee, and to council.
