PEI

Charlottetown condos at Passmore and Chestnut now one step closer

The controversial condominium development planned for Passmore and Chestnut streets in Charlottetown is one step closer to approval. At Monday night's council meeting, the rezoning required for the 50–unit building passed first and second reading but will still require a third reading to be finalized.

The rezoning required for the 50–unit building passed first and second reading Monday night

At Monday night's council meeting, the rezoning required for the 50–unit building that will replace these houses passed first and second reading. (CBC)

The controversial condominium development planned for Passmore and Chestnut streets in Charlottetown is one step closer to approval.

At Monday night's council meeting, the rezoning required for the 50–unit building passed first and second reading but will still require a third reading to be finalized.  

The project has faced some backlash, particularly around the issue of eight houses in an established downtown neighbourhood that are slated to be demolished to make room for the development. Approval to demolish the mostly vacant homes has already been granted by council. 
 
At a public meeting in February, developer Phillip O'Halloran faced questions and concerns from many Charlottetown residents.  

O'Halloran said after that meeting, he went out and knocked on doors to listen to what people in the neighbourhood wanted. 
Developer Philip O'Halloran says there are already people lining up to buy units in his proposed development. (CBC)

"We did canvas around the neighbourhood, which reaffirmed what we were given back almost a year ago, was a mandate to develop the area, and we have over 230 sheets signed for the development, in support of the development in the immediate area," he said.

Along with the condominiums, the building will have commercial space on the bottom level. O'Halloran said he wants a grocery store in that space because the downtown needs one.

He said he is also in talks with coffee shops and a daycare. 

O'Halloran says he is trying out a different style of unit in the building, with 10 suites on the second floor designated as what he calls home-occupation units. 

"As you come down the hall, you'll be able to step into kind of an alcove where one door will enter into an actual home office, the other door will enter right into their suite. So if you do have business that day, you can have a private meeting without taking somebody through your house," he said.

O'Halloran said there are already people lining up to buy units and he hopes to begin the construction process within the next couple of weeks.