City council has approved a variance application to allow residential buildings taller than three storeys in the one-of-a-kind development being planned behind the RCMP detachment.

The Millbrook Market development was given approval by council in early March. The plan includes residential, commercial, and retail components in one large complex.

or the same height possibility as R-MX for a residential building. It doesn't necessarily mean that a residential building would go that high but it means that they have the flexibility.”

In the R-MX or Residential Mixed Use zoning residential buildings are allowed to be up to 8 storeys tall.

Zwaagstra says in order to have a proper blend of residential and commercial in this type of development complex, higher density housing is often necessary. He adds this is a good time to be making these sorts of changes.

“Because this is a new development where different parts are being phased in over a period of time, this is really the best time to be having this type of approval allowing for higher density and higher buildings because obviously it is a built-in component of the neighbourhood right from the outset.”

The variance request was unanimously approved by city council.