Stavanger Drive apartment complex rejected at council

St. John's city council has rejected an application for a 71-unit apartment building off Stavanger Drive that residents said would have brought too many new residents to an already congested area.

Councillors were divided on the issue, with some backing residents who expressed concerns about traffic at an earlier public meeting.

Others, though, argued in favour of increasing residential density in the neighbourhood, which is in the east end near a strip of big-box stores.

Mayor Dennis O'Keefe cast the deciding vote to defeat the application.

Some residents had complained to council that the apartment complex was contrary to the style of development promised when they bought property in the area.