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Although the neighbourhood is zoned medium density, it is considered a “transit village” because Masonville will become a hub as part of the bus rapid transit system. A transit village will allow high- density development, up to 22-storeys.

“These are the types of developments we are seeing in transit villages, we do want to see intensification,” he said.

Victoria Digby, also a neighborhood resident, is leading the opposition to the tower and vows a fight when it goes to the planning committee.

There are people who are literally a few houses down from it, and did not know. Victoria Digby

“It is very disturbing. I am in favour of developing, of growing, that is healthy, but when it happens in an established neighbourhood there needs to be some sensitivity,” said Digby.

She is bothered by the scale of the project and believes proper notice was not given to those in the area — she found out from signs posted at the building site advertising a public meeting,

“There are people who are literally a few houses down from it, and did not know.”

The city did send notification to those living 120 metres from the site, as the city requires, said Corby.

Coun. Maureen Cassidy, representing the area, is sympathetic to the concerns of residents, adding a shadow study shows it will throw a courtyard at a neighboring seniors’ home, the Richmond Woods Senior Home, into shadow during the spring and summer months.

“I know we have to be factual about this, it is about land-use planning, but there is a human element. The official plan is not in force yet, it is a guide and the current official plan has that zoned medium density,” said Cassidy.

“The courtyard is where they go to get their sun and air and the shadow will fall on it.”

Tricar also has residential towers nearby on Richmond Street at Northcrest Drive and on Sunningdale Road, just west of Richmond Street.

“They are able to make the system work for them,” said Newson.

Under the bus rapid transit model, there will be transit villages downtown, west at Oxford Street and Wonderland Road, east at Oxford and Highbury Avenue on the former psychiatric hospital lands, and south at Wellington Road and Bradley Avenue.

ndebono@postmedia.com

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