Inglewood condo plan opposed by community leader

Calgary city council is discussing a proposed residential project in Inglewood Monday that has some area residents upset.

• Inglewood named Canada's greatest neighbourhood

The Avli on Atlantic condo development is planned for Ninth Avenue at Ninth Street southeast.

The 64-residence building designed by prominent Canadian architect Jeremy Sturgess would have "negative consequences on the historical character," saidBill Bakelaar, president of the Inglewood Community Association.

The seven-storey design exceeds the local height limit by 2.5 metres. Bakelaar said allowing that would set a dangerous precedent.

"What wed like to see council do today is stand behind our community and other communities in the city, which are dealing with the same planning issues that we are right here,"he said.

"We need council members to stand behind the laws and not just knock them down on the whims of one developer."

A spokesman says since the project was approved by council at first reading, the developer has been working with area residents and making adjustments, such as reducing the shadow the building casts northward.

Ward 9 Coun. Gian Carla Carra admits the project pushes boundaries, but he says the extra height is needed in order to accommodate storefronts on the ground floor.