A substantial development in the downtown inner core passed final reading at city council Nov. 10.

City director of development services Corey Paiement said the area at the northwest part of the property would be designated a lane.

Linda Nicholson, co-owner of 90 Lakeshore Dr. NE, said the lane will be substantially smaller than the existing road, and the restricted space would affect the ability of delivery trucks to enter behind those buildings.

“In particular, I’m concerned about emergency access.”

Paiement said the road dedication for the lane will be six metres wide. Regarding emergency vehicles, he said the lane itself is considered wide enough. He added that a turnaround would be located in one of two possible areas.

“These are details that would be worked out as plans come forward.”

He added there is on-street parking for commercial delivery in the downtown.

Developer Bill Laird agreed a turnaround would be needed in the lane. He said once a report had been received from an independent fire engineer contracted to study the site, the location of the turnaround could be determined.

He pointed out his agreement with the city is to provide residential space and parking area.

“There are going to be more changes to the inner core.”

Laird said small trucks can still get in and out, and noted it would be a number of years before the site was fully developed.

“My goal is to start on the corner of Hudson and Alexander and work my way in.”

Corey Bumbey, owner of 121 Hudson Ave., said parking has always been an issue.

He said his understanding is there would be public parking in the new development.

He added that any day he parks behind his building, the 100 spots in the inner core lot are highly utilized.

Laird commented that the development would contain more than 200 parking stalls, and he is hoping to have 270 stalls. He added that 100 of those stalls would be allocated for the 100 residential units to be built.

Mayor Marty Bootsma noted that all councillors present at an all-candidates forum held Nov. 9 answered that they supported Smart Growth principles in urban planning and development.

“A project like this probably embodies Smart Growth more than anything I’ve seen in the city.”

Bootsma said he and council have to be prepared to pay more than lip service to the idea.

Coun. Kevin Flynn noted delivery trucks already park on the street downtown.

“There are going to be some growing pains.”

Coun. Ivan Idzan said a logical potential spot for unloading commercial deliveries is in front of the Salmar Classic Theatre on Hudson Street. He noted the possibility of adding a loading zone on Alexander Street.

Coun. Debbie Cannon said council would like to think downtown property owners would also see the benefits of the inner core development.

“The plus is that it will only really increase the value of your properties.”

Coun. Alan Harrison pointed out the residential portion of the development would bring 200 customers into the downtown area.

The vote for final reading was carried unanimously.