Council has rejected a controversial 26-storey condo proposed for King Street North near the MacGregor-Albert Heritage Conservation District and MacGregor Senior Public School.

The proposal from NKL Properties Inc. would have amalgamated four properties at 151, 157, 159 and 161 King St. N. for a four-storey podium containing ground floor commercial and parking, and a 22 storey tower containing 236 one-bedroom units and 14 two-bedroom units.

Councillors said it wasn’t the right fit for the neighbourhood and ward Coun. Melissa Durrell put forth the motion to reject the plan.

“One of the things that sticks out for me the most is the compatibility with the neighbourhood,” she said. “I say that because 26 storeys to zero, there’s no transition into the schoolyard.”

The subject lands are currently zoned to permit an apartment building with a maximum height of 75 metres (25 storeys).

The development first came to council last October and saw opposition from several community members, who argued it wouldn’t be a good fit for the area and would dwarf the neighbourhood and school yard.

The developer made several amendments to the proposal since that October meeting, including fewer bedrooms and larger setbacks from the rear and side setbacks, but it wasn’t enough.

“This development is, for me, a real low point,” said Coun. Mark Whaley. “The developer will not give up on 26 storeys even though our zoning bylaw says 25 storeys … there’s been no willingness to be a part of the community, but to build a large, overbearing building.”

The developer had promised to save the façade of the non-registered heritage building at 151 King St. N. and rebuild it in the foyer of the tower, but removed that as part of the revised plan brought forth last week.

The building would have been across the street from a twin-tower condo development adjacent to St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and church spokesperson Daniel Monforte argued against the project.