They were OK with a church, but some homeowners in Saskatoon's Willowgrove neighbourhood have less faith in a proposed condominium development.

They have now started an online petition to voice their opposition to a request for rezoning.

It's promising so far, but it's tough to tell at this point. - Ryan Olde

In an interview with CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning, Ryan Olde said that when he first moved to the neighbourhood back in 2012, the understanding was that at some point a Ukrainian church would be built nearby.

"That's kind of how our house was sold to us, and the vast majority of the neighbourhood is saying the same thing," Olde said.

Things have changed. The property has been sold and, according to Olde, the new owners have asked that it be rezoned so that affordable condominiums can be built. The City of Saskatoon confirmed they have received an application to rezone.

Some people in Willowgrove are signing a petition to try and convince the city not to rezone this land that has been set aside for a church. (Tyler Hildebrand/change.org)

Condo plan out of place?

Olde doesn't think condominiums fit the neighbourhood's look and feel, and that they will "depreciate nearby properties significantly."

Olde also pointed to parking as a potential issue if the rezoning is granted and the condominium development is allowed to move forward. He has helped start a petition to try and convince the city to say no to the request to rezone the land.

"In two days 322 had signed," he said.

While Olde's concerns have been well received by his neighbours in Willowgrove, he doesn't know how much impact the petition will make at City Hall.

"It's promising so far, but it's tough to tell at this point."

Condos will cost $200K-$300K

According to Innovative Residential, the home-building company behind the rezone and development of the site, there is an intention to build condominiums on the land in question.

"We've seen the petition and just became aware of it earlier this week, and we find it understandable that residents would have concern," said Garett Dmytrowich, project manager with the company.

He said the rezoning application is consistent with the Willowgrove Neighbourhood Concept Plan — approved by city council in 2002 — that identifies the site for development of either low medium-density dwellings or a place of worship.

Dmytrowich said their suites fit the bill, generally ranging in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range, and are targeted toward first-time home buyers.

We're always looking to make Saskatoon proud and build projects that we can be proud of as well. - Garett Dmytrowich, Innovative Residential

"We're a local builder. We're residents of Saskatoon. We're always looking to make Saskatoon proud and build projects that we can be proud of as well," Dmytrowich said.

"So, in terms of negatively affecting the community or anything like that, that's never our intention and that's not what we aim to do."

He added that neighbourhood residents concerned with the development are welcome to voice their opinions at a public consultation meeting taking place at Willowgrove Elementary School on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. CST.

CBC has contacted officials with the City of Saskatoon for comment, but so far they've been unable to respond to a request for information.