City council has approved another apartment building for a busy corner across from Orchard Park Shopping Centre.

Two apartment buildings are currently under construction on the site at Underhill Street and Baron Road. A development permit for the new project was the subject of a public hearing on Tuesday (Nov. 5). Council raised concerns about the massing and length of the proposed six-storey building.

鈥淚 would have preferred to see a bit more articulation in the middle, something that would have made it look like two buildings, even though it would have just been a facade,鈥� Councillor Luke Stack said.

Breaking up the length of the building was considered by the applicant, and the option of going to 12 storeys - allowed under the current zoning - was explored.

鈥淚 personally don鈥檛 think that would fit or integrate well with the character of the evolving neighbourhood, despite it being an allowance in the zone,鈥� said Mark Koch, representing Lorval Developments.

Stack added that he liked the fact that the 177 units in the building would be for sale.

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen a lot of rental units come through, which I鈥檓 delighted about, but we also need to see some for-sale product.鈥�

Concerns about staging areas for equipment and materials around the site during construction were also raised.

鈥淏envoulin, Springfield (where other condos are being built), and Cooper have been a mess,鈥� Coun. Maxine DeHart said, addressing the developer. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think the public, the council, or myself want to go through what we鈥檝e just been through on that corner.鈥�

Koch said the construction team has secured a nearby site for staging. Councillors Ron Cannan and Charlie Hodge said the project is too much for the area.

鈥淚 won鈥檛 support it,鈥� Hodge said. 鈥淭he length of it - if it was a little more open in design, I鈥檇 be a lot more comfortable.鈥�

Hodge and Cannan were the only councillors opposed to moving the project forward.