A proposed condominium project in Winkler generated opposition from some local residents at a public hearing this week.

K Block Developments wants to build two, four-story condo buildings as a phased development on several properties located on 7th Street between Mountain Avenue and South Railway Avenue. One of the buildings would contain 18 condo units in total and the second building would include 15 units.

Developer Frank Klassen explains his reasons for pursuing this project.

"It would allow people to purchase a unit and live in downtown Winkler. There isn't a whole lot available to purchase downtown. I think this would provide a need."

For the project to move ahead, the properties to be developed along 7th would need to be rezoned from residential single-family to residential multi-family zone. The developer also wants to purchase a portion of a back lane that runs north-south between 7th Street and 8th Street and use it for parking, which requires a variance. That move would essentially close the lane.

Several residents in the area voiced their opposition to the project. Most of the concerns centered on loss of backyard privacy, possible property devaluation, a population density that would be too high for such a small area, and a shortage of adequate parking.

Doug Dyck, a representative from the Covenant Mennonite Church says their members are already squeezed for parking in the area and at times are competing for spaces with the nearby concert hall. He also expressed to city council that his church would be interested in purchasing the back lane to create some extra parking spaces for their congregants.

Frank Klassen expressed some flexibility about purchasing the back lane.

"Acquiring the north-south lane would ... add about 18 visitor parking spots. Given the concerns that were expressed by the Covenant Church for parking, I can respect that, and I think we could rework our plan and leave the back lane as a lane."

Klassen feels the height of the building and population density are consistent with the Oakview Terrace condo building located to the south of their proposed project but admits there's not much that he can do about the issue of privacy.

"That's one of the difficult things in designing. As soon as you begin building upward you're imposing on some areas. You just can't accommodate each of the areas."

Winkler city council adjourned the hearing until May 11th to allow the developer to work with city planning staff and meet with local homeowners to address their concerns and possibly work out a solution.