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Builder cuts back on development

A Saskatchewan company building plus 45 housing in Black Diamond is scaling back its plans. Span West Construction purchased 2.
Span West Construction is scaling back its plans to construct 45-plus housing in Black Diamond after sales in its first two units were slower than expected.
Span West Construction is scaling back its plans to construct 45-plus housing in Black Diamond after sales in its first two units were slower than expected.

A Saskatchewan company building plus 45 housing in Black Diamond is scaling back its plans.

Span West Construction purchased 2.17 acres of land on the corner of Centre Avenue and 3rd Street SE in 2006 to develop three 24-unit apartment style condominiums.

After struggling to fill the first two buildings, the Prince Albert builder has asked the Town of Black Diamond to amend the land-use bylaw to R-3 to allow the construction of a five-plex bungalow rather than the original 24-unit condo. The request was approved by council in a unanimous vote at its Sept. 7 meeting.

“I had a hard time filling the existing units,” said Joe Remai, general manager of Span West Construction following the council meeting. “I didn’t make any money on the first two so why would I beat my head against the wall and build a third one?”

Remai said a builder in Calgary has expressed interest in constructing five attached 1,500 square foot bungalows on the three quarters of an acre lot, with each unit measuring at about 1,500 square feet with a double attached garage and no basement.

The first building, Mountainview Manor, took three years to fill, he said.

“I don’t see a need for a third apartment complex on the site,” Remai said. “It took me forever to fill the first building and the second building took me a long time. I figured the market was a lot stronger than it was.”

During a public hearing at last week’s council meeting before the land-use bylaw amendment was approved, one resident spoke in favour of the proposed change.

Town administration received five letters from residents of the condominiums also in support of the five-plex and most asking that the new building also be kept at an age minimum of 45 years.

Several inquired about Span West Construction building a sound barrier north of the units along the south side of Highway 7 to eliminate traffic noise in their units.

Remai said a cement retaining wall had been built and there is plans to construct a fence along it in conjunction with the five-plex project, but there is no plan for a sound barrier.

“I’m not sure what their expectations were,” he said. “In our development agreement and confirmed by the development officers the stone berm (cement barrier) we have along the highway and the trees in the berm satisfy the development agreement as far as the sound barrier goes.”

One resident’s suggestion to build a sound barrier as high as the four stories is not deemed feasible by Remai.

Resident Eileen Brownell said she doesn’t have any issues with the traffic noise from her unit, which faces the highway.

“With the sheriff slowing down the traffic the traffic noise is down,” she said. “A lot of it I don’t hear unless the motor bikes go motoring up the hill.”

Brownell said she is just glad to see more available housing for older residents in the community and is happy with the work of the first two buildings.

“They’re beautifully built steel and concrete units,” she said. “I like it because I’m on the third floor and it won’t intervene with my visibility. I’ve got a really good view to the north.”

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