A two-storey expansion to Villa Marie will go ahead despite opposition from adjacent neighbours who fear they will be left in the shade.
The Municipal Planning Commission approved a development permit application allowing the addition west of the existing supportive living facility at 10 Carrington Drive on Wednesday.
It will add 66 beds to the existing 100-bed facility.
Acting MPC chair Lawrence Lee said he was impressed with the unanimous vote to approve the application, which shows the commission did consider all the facets (traffic, noise, employment of property and parking) of the land use bylaw that they were charged to review.
“I think that came into play because there were lots of opportunity for this commission to be swayed by privacy issues and access to sunlight,” said Lee. “The commission thought there was not a significant impact in any of those to deny the application.”
The commission had put off making a decision at its June 1 meeting after hearing increased traffic and noise concerns from Cody Place residents. Residents in the 22 homes were also concerned about losing direct sunlight and privacy because of the building’s height.
Administration was directed to consult with the developer about a potential change to the design of the development and to provide a sunlight report.
At Wednesday’s meeting the commission heard that a one-storey development would not be operationally viable for the site and the existing development.
Paul Gowans, who lives on the west side of Cody Place, acted as spokesperson for the group. He said the group of duplex owners will meet this week to determine their next move.
“I think there is a feeling that we need to appeal what has transpired,” said Gowans. “There is a lot of frustration particularly (related to) the early stages of development. The information that was presented to the buyers on the east side was not accurate. That is one of the major concerns.”
The duplex owners were left in the dark about the two-storey development next to their homes, he said.
Gowans told the commission that residents would essentially lose three hours of direct sunlight every day once the facility is built.
The group has two weeks as of Friday to appeal the decision.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com