It was close, but St. John’s City Council has voted to allow two apartment buildings on a residential street in the east end, much to the dismay of area residents.
By a vote of 6-5, council agreed to rezone a section of Mount Cashel Road to allow the two buildings, creating about 65 apartments.
A petition from area residents cited, among other things, traffic congestion. However, Councillor Sandy Hickman says those two lots will be developed, and they will not end up being two houses facing the street.
He says the cost of building materials has skyrocketed, leaving developers choosing to construct apartment buildings.
(via the City of St. John’s)
“The only way to make this even semi-affordable is to choose this method of construction,” says Co . Hickman.
Councilor Lynn Hammond would prefer to see the traffic issue addressed first.
She says the safety issue needs to be resolved before rezoning, so she voted against rezoning.
Some members of council are also concerned about not having an elevator in either building.
