A Fort Garry development proposal is pitting dozens of residents against a Winnipeg home builder.

Dueck Homes wants to divide a 60-foot lot on Somerset Avenue into two 30-foot lots, and build a house on each.

More than 90 people have voiced concerns with the city to oppose the project.

Opponents told CTV News the proposed lot splitting threatens the investments of area homeowners, and risks changing the character of the neighbourhood.

Homeowner Ray Desautels has lived on Somerset Avenue for 20 years. His home sits opposite the property Dueck Homes hopes to develop.

Desautels is part of a group fighting against the proposal, and has delivered flyers to nearby residents with concerns about the plan.

“The residents aren’t against new construction or replacing homes that need to be replaced,” he said. “(However) the space between the houses is going to be less than four feet. There’s nothing like this in the neighbourhood, there are no 30-foot lots in this neighbourhood.”

Desautels said he’s concerned about the possible precedent the lot splitting plan sets for the area.

On Thursday, Coun. Jenny Gerbasi said she is sympathetic to neighbours concerns, but adds the project still has significant restrictions.

The restrictions prevent the homes from being constructed higher than 30 feet, disallow attached garages and place a minimum setback of four feet on the west and east-side yards.

Despite the restrictions, Desautels believes the project is still not acceptable. He said neighbours of his who recently purchased a large home in the area, didn’t do so thinking there were "tiny lots" in the neighbourhood.

Builder Cal Dueck said residents are misinformed about the project. He said the proposal will bring families to the area, and make home ownership in Fort Garry more affordable.

"We build houses so that they fit in to and look like the neighbourhood. They don't look like monstrosities in the neighbourhood. They don't look like they shouldn’t be there,’ said Dueck.

A city appeal committee will look at the project on Jan. 11.