Council has approved a zoning change to a part of North Ridge despite concerns about lowering the area’s overall density.
The change means developer Genstar will proceed with 13 single-family homes along an extension of Nadine Way. The original plan for the area plan called for 16 semi-detached houses and four three-unit townhouses.
Genstar representative Jim Pennell said the original plan was difficult to market as a result of economic conditions that are unfavourable to higher density housing.
“The history of this hasn’t gone very well for us,” Pennell told council. “We’re asking you to approve this project so we can get moving on this.”
North Ridge resident Patrick Froment supported the project, saying that he and many of his neighbours look forward to the development wrapping soon and seeing the end of construction in their area.
“From my sense of the neighbourhood, most of them would be in favour of the project,” he said. “We’ve been dealing with construction for the last year.”
Planning manager Carol Bergum said the land had been designated direct control because the original plan did not meet the qualifications for either low, medium or high density designations. The zoning change means it meets guidelines for low density.
Mayor Nolan Crouse initially questioned the change, saying the area would lose 15 homes and create issues for affordability and density. The Capital Region Board recently approved targets for priority growth areas like St. Albert that call for more density.
“I’m trying to maintain the number of units there because it’s easy to go to single-family housing when the market is there, but this does nothing for affordability and for density,” he said. “Where do you pick [the units] up in the development?”
Pennell pointed out two areas in the development are designated medium and high density, saying it was possible to make up the loss of units in those areas. One of the lots, after an affordable housing project goes in, will have 3.64 hectares (nine acres) left over for more units.
“There’s a number of places to make up that density shift,” Pennell said after the meeting. “We’re not at all worried about it.”
He added Genstar hoped to start servicing the land soon and possibly start building by the end of the construction season.
Coun. Lorie Garritty was the first to accept the plan, saying he was confident Genstar could make up the density loss in other areas. However, Crouse was the lone voice of opposition.
