Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 10/02) - Some city residents are contemplating taking the city to court after the development appeals board gave the go-ahead to a new five-storey building.

Chris Hunt stands in front of the property where the new building will be constructed. The light pole in the photo is nine metres high; the new building will rise 15 metres. - Nathan VanderKlippe/NNSL photo

The new building, a four-unit apartment, will be constructed at 4902 45th Street by an Edmonton developer, Enokhok Development Corp.

City development officer Dave Jones granted the building a number of variances, especially in how close it could encroach onto the sidewalks.

He also allowed the building to cover more of the site than is typically allowed -- 43 per cent instead of 40 per cent, which the city's zoning bylaw mandates.

"While it is bigger than all the buildings around it, I feel that it won't detract from the adjoining properties," he said.

Residents protested the site design, which calls for a 15-metre high building and four 1,800 square foot units.

They argued that it would detract from the character of their neighbourhood, which is primarily single-family dwellings.

One resident, Pat McArdle, likened it to a cereal box standing next to a bowl.

The large structure located on a street corner would also impede the line of sight for vehicles whizzing around the corner, thus increasing a safety risk for motorists and pedestrians, they said.

However, the development appeals board passed the building with only several minor conditions.

"I'm really disappointed, obviously," said Bryan Johnson, one of the appellants before the appeals board.

Johnson said the neighbours have contemplated taking the matter to court.

"I don't know if we're willing to go to that extent (court), but we're still talking," he said.

Jones said Enokhok plans to build sometime this year.

Residents have successfully blocked developments in the area in the past. The development appeals board turned down several building ideas in the early 1990s.