Alberta-based developer proposing 161-unit apartment building in Rutland

A development proposal for a 161-unit apartment building has been submitted at city hall.

Alberta-based MTA Architecture is proposing a six-storey residential building at 135 and 155 Barber Road, which is located off Highway 33 .

A letter of intent explains that the building would include ground-oriented townhouses with a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom apartments.

Vehicle and long-term bike parking would be located in a two level underground parkade. The building would also include amenity space on the main floor and roof.

“The proposed development is focused on providing units that respond to the need of affordable market housing in the area,” reads the applicant’s letter.

“The project has a specific focus of providing units that would be geared towards students and young couples.”

A few variances in this application include reducing the number of parking spaces from 159 to 155, reducing the rear yard space and a variance to the types of trees on site.

Additionally, the applicant has submitted a text amendment application to reduce the amount of ground-floor commercial use along Highway 33 from the required 90% to the proposed 0%.

The city considers Highway 33 as a retail street and requires developments to have retail and commercial spaces located on the ground level.

However, the applicant says the orientation of the building would not be very accessible for retail use and points of the existing retail stores at the intersection of Hollywood Road and Hwy 33.

This application was submitted at the beginning of October and has yet to be circulated at city hall. City planning staff may required additional information before forwarding the application to city council for consideration.