Sherwood residents aim to block townhouses

Some homeowners in Sherwood are trying to block a proposed townhouse development on Pine Drive, a project the city and developer call a compromise meant to satisfy the neighbours.

Localsturned out to oppose the project at a public meeting Tuesday evening. Many insist only single-family homes belong in their neighbourhood.

Last March, project developer Bevan Enterprises had the go-ahead to build a three-storey, 24-unit apartment building, but backed down after public outcry.

A year later, the modified plan is asking the city to rezone the land for two-storey townhouses.

It is already zoned for apartments.

Opposition to denser development has been a common issue throughout the city in a number of recent development proposals.

Charlottetown Coun. Rob Lantz said he hopes city residents begin to warm up to condos and townhouses and the shifting demographic of buyers.

"It's plainly obvious to us here as a council in Charlottetown, and to municipal leaders across the country, that the nature of the housing market has drastically shifted in the last decade, and really specifically in the last five years," said Lantz.

Charlottetown council will vote on the rezoning in the coming weeks.

If the city votes against rezoning, the developer could go ahead with the original plan from a year ago.