Condo complex too close to home: neighbours

A proposal to build a condominium complex in a residential area of St. John's will ruin the area and draw too much traffic, neighbours told a public forum Wednesday night.

Gibraltar Development wants to erect a four-storey, 24-unit complex near the intersection of New Cove Road and Mount Cashel Road.

Neighbours told a meeting at St. John's city hall that New Cove Road is busy enough because of commuters heading to and from downtown St. John's and other areas, and that the density of the proposal is too great.

"How would you control that traffic there because I've lived there. Many people have been hit by cars there," resident Paul O'Brien told the meeting.

"They've hit my property a number of times. It's a very dangerous intersection."

The development would need council's permission to rezone the land to accommodate the condominiums, which are projected to sell for between $350,000 and $450,000.

"I am baffled," said Ann Murphy who lives across the street from the proposed development. "Why can't you come up with a development that meets the existing zoning?"

Other neighbours spoke about their concerns that a four-storey building so close to their homes will cause privacy concerns.

The proposal includes a garage that would include 24 parking spaces with an additional 14 spaces placed outside. The developers said snow would be removed during winter, instead of being pushed against fences, and that garbage would not be stored at the site.

City council is expected to deal with the proposal later this month.