Yellowknife (Oct 29/03) - The Ptarmigan Road condominium project is back on track after the development appeal board rejected a bid by local residents to stop it.

"They didn't have a hope in hell," developer Mike Mrdjenovich after the appeal board ruling last week.

"We exceeded the guidelines for development. They had no grounds to appeal it. I spent $20,000 to fight this appeal for nothing." Mrdjenovich said the project is behind schedule and work will go "full blast." He planned to have the first townhouses ready by the end of the year. He is now looking at May.

Andrew Fox, one of the Ptarmigan Road residents who attempted to halt the projects, said "I guess we lost. But we had a full hearing and the board gave all parties ample time to make the presentations."

He could not say if the decision would be appealed.

"But the developer invited people to contact him directly and discuss any issues, so that seemed to be a sincere offer," Fox said.

Residents were concerned about the way a Nova Construction was proceeding with the project and challenged the city's approval process.

The city issued a development permit, Sept. 18, which residents appealed, citing lack of proper planning.

Mrdjenovich continued work despite a stop work order and was fined an estimated $4,000.

Dave Jones, the city's planner, said the decision confirms the permit issued Sept. 18.

"Conditions were attached to that permit and the board is reaffirming that," Jones said.