To the developers, 2 1/2 extra metres for their proposed building would mean a more attractive condo building, with high-ceilinged stores and eateries at its base.

To neighbours, 2 1/2 extra metres for this building casts a taller shadow, potentially over all of Inglewood.

Council leaned Monday toward the developers’ point of view and gave an initial OK to a seven-level building on Inglewood’s main street, replacing the CarStar auto garage.

It would become the tallest residential building on Inglewood’s main strip if given final approval, though local Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra urged council to delay that so residents can discuss finer details of the plan and possibly get some concessions.

The minor height variance beyond what’s allowed — 22.5 metres versus 20 metres ­— was opposed not only by the houses across the laneway.

More than 800 Inglewoodians signed a petition opposing a project many say will create a new standard for taller buildings in the lower-slung urban village, one of Calgary’s first.

“If this is approved, what’s the maximum height on the next vacant parcel?” asked Betty Hong.

Across 9th Avenue S.E., Inglewood Art Block got council’s OK to go higher to allow its top-level Esker Foundation art gallery. But that’s opposite the freight rails. The Avli condo project backs onto homes, as do other vacant or development-ready parcels all along the main strip — including a former bottle depot next door that is also slated for redevelopment.

A 1993 redevelopment plan for Inglewood capped development on that block at 20 metres. Mayor Naheed Nenshi was vexed at the neighbourhood’s firm stand against a height change that planners showed would mean hardly any additional shadowing.

“Really, eight feet? All this passion, all this excitement over eight feet?” he asked resident Syliva Hayward, although he later voted against first reading.

Yes, replied Hayward, who lives across the lane from the auto garage. Her views are at stake — “We’re losing eight more feet of sky” — but she also worries about a slippery slope.

“It’s too late for us, perhaps but we don’t want it to be too late for every other resident who lives behind a site that it going to be redeveloped on 9th Avenue,” she said.

Developers of the Avli project are planning five storeys of condos above a two-level retail base that offers work-live suites in the back.

The extra height won’t add an extra floor of condos to the project — five full levels would have been allowed above the retail in a 20-metre building. But this would allow for taller business stalls with mezzanines, making them more enticing for “very attractive retail,” said architect Jeremy Sturgess.

The project’s principals have projected confidence they would get council’s quick OK. They’ve already advertised the project as designed, and are already erecting a sales centre on the lot next door. Now, they won’t get approval until at least March 2015.

“We feel it will bring diversity and density to the city,” said Penny Stahonikos, a property’s co-owner.

Carra said he’s supportive of the design, but hopes for more community buy-in.

“If something was beyond the pale, I would be telling the applicant, ‘no way man.’ You’ve got to do it different,” Carra said.