Gay-friendly seniors complex in Halifax a no go

Halifax city council has rejected a proposal to convert an old United church property into a gay-friendly seniors complex.

Members of St. John's United Church have been trying for years to tear down the vacant building and build a new seven-storey development known as Spirit Place.

The proposal included a sanctuary and seniors' housing complex open to the gay and lesbian community.

At public meetings, neighbours argued the building would be too large and imposing and that it would cause traffic problems.

On Tuesday, city council refused to rezone the block saying it didn't fit with the area.

The projects champions said reality is setting in.

"You know we feel very strongly that this type of proposal is appropriatefor the community. Other people didn't feel so and council decided 10 to six against it," said church board chair Jim Sharpe.

Opponents kept up their fight even after the project was scaled back from 72 to 59 units.

"I would say, largely, the neighbours who live immediately in the vicinity just find it too large," said nearby resident Marlene Coffey.

Sharpe said dealing with the city has been exhausting.

"It shows a real problem with the municipal planning process. Again, I wasn't directly involved so I don't know all the reasons but there is the idea of densification but we're still under the old zoning," he said.

CBC tried contacting numerous councillors today. They either didn't return our messages or said they were unavailable to comment.

The old congregation said it will meet again in September to decide what to do with the church lot.