City council's reversal 'common sense,' says developer

A P.E.I. developer was pleased to see Charlottetown city council change its mindTuesdaynight and move forward with a public meeting on an apartment building he is proposing in the downtown.

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"I think at the end of the day it would have just come back from IRAC, the same result," Banks said. "It's good that everybody got together and put some common sense to it."

The23-unit,four-storeyapartment building at 55 and 59 Richmond Street was proposed to council byAPMGroup presidentTim Banks earlier this year.

The city hadvoted against the project proceeding to the public consultation phase this summer. The mayor had raised concerns about the proposed building's proximity to the building next door, the Rochford Condominiums.

Banks filedan appeal with the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission. Before that review happened councillorsvoted unanimously to rescind their original vote.

'We have a legitimate project'

Banks said there's "a lineup" of people asking for an apartment and estimates the mostly single-bedroom, 650 to 700 square foot units to run about $1050 a month 30 per cent lower than downtown market prices, he said.

"We're offering up a building here that we think will be affordable in the downtown marketplace," Banks added.

"We have a very legitimate project for the downtown and it falls within definition of the official plan for the city."

'It's all about procedure'

Greg Rivard, who chairs theCharlottetown heritage and planning committee, said the city's change in heart is about fairness to Banks.

"I voted in favour of it going to a public meeting to start because I think the applicant should have the opportunity to ... at least present their application to the public, hear the public input," he said.

"It's all about procedure."

The city couldn't confirm when the public meeting on the building will take place.

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