Council splits on condo proposals

St. John's city council has cleared the way for one controversial condominium proposal while effectively stopping another in its tracks.

Council voted at its Monday meeting to allow an Ontario company to tear down the Star of the Sea Hall on Henry Street in downtown St. John's and build a 48-unit building.

At the same time, however, council refused to approve a zoning change to allow a four-storey condo complex off New Cove Road.

Residents of the area spoke out against Gibraltar Development's proposal at a public meeting earlier this month. Theysaid the 24-unit proposal would worsen an already dangerous traffic situation.

The complex would have been built close to the backyards of a stretch of homes along Mount Cashel Road.

At Monday's meeting, councillors said the proposed development was a good one, but was simply in the wrong place and not a good fit with single-family detached homes.

Star of the Sea tougher issue

With the Henry Street proposal, the city's heritage advisory committee recommended council rejectit and keep the Star of the Sea Hall as a heritage facility.

Coun. Sheilagh O'Leary argued the city is losing a heritage structure that could be used for another purpose, but other councillors disagreed and said the building is worthless.

O'Leary rejected suggestions from some councillors that a heritage plaque be placed on the new condo so that the Star of the Sea Hall is not forgotten.

"I take issue about the concept of having to replace things with smaller plaques to show significance when we can actually look at other options potentially for spaces that could be renovated," O'Leary said.

"Perhaps we're too late on this game, perhaps this is something we need to get ahead of the game on and certainly address the issue again."

O'Leary said she would like to see the building retro-fitted, but keep its heritage design.