New apartment design wins approval

It took just one trip back to the drawing board for the developer of a Marina Way apartment building to find a design everyone — including future neighbours — can live with.

City council on Tuesday approved a zoning amendment and permits for the new seven-storey, 13-unit building at 236 Marina Way.

After hearing opposition from neighbours in adjacent Lakeview Terraces, council in July rejected the initial design and asked the developer to meet with the community to address concerns.

The new version is now stepped back from the street at the first and third storeys and features a covered walkway along the front of the building at street level to better match Lakeview Terraces.

A 1.5-metre garden has also been proposed to go in around the perimeter of the parkade to help it blend into the environment.

City planning manager Blake Laven said staff believe the new design “will positively contribute to the Marina Way streetscape.”

Council approved the plan by a 5-0 vote with Tarik Sayeed and Helena Konanz absent.

“Although the developer was quite concerned that the neighbours would be developing his project with his money, they found some middle ground and I think it looks wonderful,” said Mayor Andrew Jakubeit.

Construction is expected to begin next spring.