A proposed six-unit luxury loft-style apartment building planned for South Railway Street was given the go-ahead by Warman City Council at a meeting on Monday, September 13.
The “4+2 Luxury Lofts” multi-unit dwelling proposal was put forward by Ryan Dyck, whose company, Temple Developments, intends to construct the building.
The proposed development includes four residential lots on an irregularly-configured parcel bordering South Railway Street, 8th Avenue South, and the CN Railway tracks. The multi-unit building would consist of four 900-square-foot ground-level apartments and two 1800-square-foot loft-style apartments
Warman council approved an application at the September 13 meeting to rezone the parcel from R2 -Residential (which only allows multi-unit dwellings in the form of street-front townhouses) to R3- Residential. Council then gave approval to the discretionary use application by the developer, allowing the project to proceed.
Both the rezoning and discretionary use applications had been advertised in the Gazette prior to the meeting, and area residents were notified of the project by city administration.
According to the proposal put forward to council by the developer, the project will feature landscaping, including preserving the mature tree line on the east and west sides and installation of a six-foot high sound wall fencing for privacy and security.
The building will be constructed using engineered insulated (R42) concrete panels; structural concrete floors and roofing system; tempered and laminated security glass windows; switchable privacy glass control (PDLC Smart Windows); hydronic heating and cooling system in the floor and walls; and tempered fresh air and HRV air exchange system.
Several residents in the area who had concerns about the proposed development were in the gallery at the council meeting’s public hearing session. Randy Becker said he wanted assurances the new building would not result in additional noise and traffic. He also expressed concern that adjacent land values may drop because of the rental units.
“It’s a quiet neighbourhood, and we want to keep it that way,” stated Becker.
Warman Councillor Marshall Seed agreed there could be potential problems regarding parking, but felt there were solutions available. He also felt the upscale, modern building would be likely to increase property values in the area.
Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk noted there is a shortage of rental units in Warman, and suggested projects like this are necessary.
Council agreed to put in place conditions for the development to address the concerns of nearby residents.