Rising construction costs could mean changes to a 100-unit apartment complex in Quispamsis.
Town council approved the Elmtree Hill Development complex on Hampton Road back in July.
But citing “current market conditions, neighbourhood appeal and affordability purposes,” the developers are seeking changes to the original developer’s agreement with the town.
According to Dwight Colbourne, the town’s municipal planning officer, the construction industry has faced “significant challenges” since the agreement was signed — from securing resources and materials to enormous price increases in wood-based building materials.
“[The developers have] stepped back and looked at the original design that came to council and said ‘how can we maintain the 100-unit apartment complex, how can we still maintain the amenities but obviously the over costs that’s going to be incurred,'” Colbourne told council Tuesday night.
The initial application put forward by Ali Kamkar of Mahkam Living Ltd. included three, four-storey residential buildings with 40, 36 and 24 units.
Colbourne said the revised application would maintain the 100 units but instead have two, four-storey buildings with 50 units in each. In place of the original 24-unit building would be a single-storey onsite storage facility which would create more space for underground parking.
The applicant also wants to use insulated concrete forms for construction rather than wood as initially planned.
“That provides better soundproof, better energy efficiency, better fire protection to the buildings,” said Colbourne.
According to documents filed by Kamkar, the change would cut the initial construction timeline to about three years from the original estimate of five to six years.
Coun. Lisa Loughery said it is “quite ingenious” that the developer has recreated the project in hopes of still making it work.
During the initial application phase last year, the project received stiff opposition from those who live nearby.
Concerns raised by residents included increased traffic, a loss of privacy, and the impact of underground parking on area wells.
The matter will now go to the planning advisory committee before returning to council for a public hearing on May 4.
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