Sidney council members voted in favour for a zoning amendment and a development permit for a new Beacon Avenue development that would offer 140 new apartments for the town.
At a council meeting on Monday, May 13, councillors voted unanimously in favour for the zoning amendment, and voted with only Coun. Steve Duck opposed to the development permit for the applicants.
The building, which is at the corner of Beacon Avenue at Patricia Bay Highway, would be five storeys and it would offer 146 parking spots. It will also have bike parking spaces available to residents.
The town also added a covenant to the zoning bylaw to guarantee that the development will be only rentals for at least 30 years, and 20 per cent of the units will be below-market for at least 20 years.
“I just want to reiterate the importance of housing in our community and how much we need it, and in particular rentals and the affordability component to this is extremely important for not just people looking for homes, but for our business community and industries to [help] them retain and attract employees to our area,” said Coun. Scott Garnett
Although Duck supported the zoning bylaw, he voted opposed to the development permit due to the proximity to the highway, and the noise from construction.
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