On Tuesday night, Garneau Community League members met with people behind a plan to tear down the Knox Metropolitan Church north of Whyte Avenue, and to build a residential high-rise in its place.
The meeting centred on the proposal to build a 13 storey high-rise where the Knox Metropolitan United Church currently stands on 109 Street and 83 Avenue – with members of the community league and the developer and architect involved in the plan.
The proposed building would have underground parking, ground floor retail and residential units on the rest of the floors.
Members of the community league said they are not pleased with the idea, since the development’s proposed height is more than double what is allowed under the city’s development plan for the area.
“I found the whole business of the city and the citizens developing area redevelopment plans, spending hours and hours of time, much money, taxpayer’s money, our money on developing all these plans to come up with a good development plan for an area, a good plan, should be respected,” Anne De Villars, Chair of the Garneau Community League Planning Committee said.
Members said the City approved the ‘Mezzo’ development, which also goes against the area re-development plan; there are also worries over the demolition of a building that could have historical significance.
The community league plans to reach out to residents for their thoughts on the proposal.
The architect for the developer said the purchase of the church just needs to be finalized, and the land re-zoned.
The church’s congregation has already moved, joining with congregations from three other churches to form the “United on Whyte Pastoral Church” on 79 Street and 82 Avenue.
With files from Nicole Weisberg
