Dozens of community members showed up to city council Monday, opposed to re-zoning a historic area in Inglewood for a new development.
The new multi-use building being proposed is planned to be 45 metres, which is more than double that the current maximum of 20 metres.
The new development would sit at 12 Street and 9 Avenue S.E., which is currently a used car lot.
The developer, RNDSQR, said the new plan incorporates the historic CIBC building while also displaying a contemporary new building beside it.
More than 20,000 people have signed a petition against the proposal due to concerns regarding the height of the new building and its aesthetic.
Many are concerned about the new building’s height sticking out in the older, established neighbourhood and they said they would have rather seen a building made from brick, rather than glass.
RNDSQR presented its plan to council and said the building preserves history while also displaying world-class architecture.
The company also had come to an agreement with the Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club regarding concern about the shadow the new building would create at the facility.
RNDSQR said it had come to an agreement with the club to install $400,000 worth of synthetic turf which would also expand the season of play for members.
Council bylaw debate
City council passed the first two readings of the land-use bylaw for the development on Monday by a vote of 13-1.
Since approval for the final reading of the bylaw was not unanimous, it will be voted on at an upcoming council meeting but it cannot be amended.
– With files from Michael King