Windsor city council has given the green light for a large apartment complex in the city's east end — despite the objections and reservations of some nearby residents.

On Monday, council approved zoning bylaw amendments that will allow a developer to construct multiple residential buildings on Banwell Road near McHugh Street. One will be six storeys tall, one will be eight storeys, and two will be 10 storeys.

The current phase of the project will result in 408 new units, along with at least 600 parking spaces.

The developer's future plans involve more buildings and hundreds of more units.

Ward 7 Coun. Angelo Marignani, in whose ward the site is located, told CBC News that a balance must be found between the concerns of residents and addressing the need for affordable housing.

"It's a very difficult balance to strike," said Marignani, who voted in approval of the amendments. "(I believe) the developer was able to come to that common ground."

"It's one of those decisions that you kind of lose sleep at night (over), because you're really here to satisfy the concerns of residents. But, at the same time, we don't own the property. We don't build houses. And it is something that is needed in our community with our increasing population."

Council received a report from administration that describes the project as "a form of residential intensification."

But the report concludes that project is "compatible" with the existing neighbourhood, and "represents an efficient development that will have no adverse impact on the well-being of the City of Windsor."

Karl Tanner, a consultant and representative for the developer, noted that changes have been made to the proposal to meet the recommendations of the Development and Heritage Standing Committee — such as reducing the maximum building height and taking measures at parking lot access points in anticipation of traffic issues.

But the proposal was still met with resistance from delegations at Monday's meeting — who were also present when the proposal was discussed by the standing committee.

"Why are so many apartment buildings planned for this area?" demanded Joan Ennis, who lives on nearby Questa Drive within a block of the development site.

"In a little over one kilometre, there will be 15 apartment buildings. Where else in the city are there 15 apartment buildings in one kilometre?"

A senior citizen, Ennis noted that many homeowners in the area are retirees who settled there for quiet living.

"Now we are confronted by overkill: Far too many people living in one small area... Windsor needs more housing, for sure. But why can't it be distributed in a fair way? Why does our neighbourhood have to be destroyed?"

Fellow resident Kate Benedet said she is not opposed to development in general. "We know we need more affordable housing in Windsor," she told council. "What we are opposed to is the high-density housing in an area that is not mitigated for such an increase in traffic, and with a history of flooding."

Another nearby resident, Jeff Benedet, predicted "major traffic congestion." He noted that the developer hopes to begin construction next spring. "I hope this project does not get rushed just to meet the deadline."

Chris Nepszy, the City of Windsor's commissioner of infrastructure services, acknowledged that minimizing the impact of development upon established residents is "something the city struggles with, as a growth city."

"We continually monitor intersections. We monitor traffic patterns," Nepszy told council.

The developer has agreed to submit a traffic study to Nepszy and city administration.