Micro Boutique apartment owner in legal battle with Wolfville
Building owner Chris Galea begins legal battle with town on June 10
It's not often that a town celebrates the opening of a brand-new building on Main Street, and then tries to shut it down just eight months later.
But that's what happening in Wolfville, where town hall says a new apartment building has serious fire safety deficiencies.
The dispute over the Micro Boutique Living apartment building has caught tenants like Kellina Minors in the middle.
Earlier this month, the third-year Acadia University student and every other tenant got a letter from the town warning they'd have to vacate the building unless major improvements are made.
"I was a little shocked at first but to be honest, I called my landlord and they said they were going to deal with it," Minors said.
The town had threatened to revoke the apartment building's conditional occupancy permit.
The modular design made it a draw during construction but town staff on the project — including the building inspector — have since left.
After the landlord failed to address municipal accessibility concerns, a review was launched.
Staff found the apartment building failed to meet codes requiring among other things, a sprinkler system.
"The town is very concerned. We see them as life safety issues, that why we've been adamant in its remediation," Mayor Jeff Cantwell said.
Owner denies claims
The town extended its order to vacate from May 15 to September after the landlord objected.
Owner Chris Galea, reached in California on Thursday, denies the town's claims. He said his building was built exactly to the plans approved by town council.
He is suing the town of Wolfville and his engineers. Galea is demanding the orders be set aside or will seek damages, if he's forced to comply.
Wolfville business owner Connie Hopgood, who runs nearby Savvy Seekers Boutique, said she is very happy the apartments were built.
"I think if we have more of them, they will be great. It has a great appearance," she said.
She is surprised by the town's order.
"Everybody on council, including the mayor, said this is the most positive thing that could happen in downtown Wolfville."
Court proceedings into Micro Boutique's claims begin June 10. The town is expected to file its defence Friday.