Council voted 6-2 in favour of the mixed commercial and residential development on Menzies Street across from Thrifty Foods.
A four-storey mixed-used development set to replace three single-family homes in James Bay has been given the go-ahead by Victoria council.
Council voted 6-2 to move ahead with the rezoning, variances and permits required for the development on Menzies Street across from Thrifty Foods.
The building proposed by Mike Geric Construction will replace homes at 131, 135 and 139 Menzies St., bringing in 43 residential rental units above commercial space on the ground floor.
The proposal had gone through a number of changes, including a reduction in height from five to four storeys and increased setbacks.
Shannon Kowalko, director of marketing and community relations for Mike Geric Construction, said the company is looking to start construction on the Menzies Street project by the end of this year.
Kowalko said the new building will have four three-bedroom ground-floor units with their own entryways.
One of the single-family homes still has a tenant and the company is working to find a suitable alternative in the neighbourhood, she said.
Coun. Marg Gardiner, who voted against the proposal, said the development has been very contentious for some, as it “took advantage” of the fact that the James Bay local area plan has not been updated in decades.
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