A local developer says he's willing to scale back his plans for new townhouses in Hillcrest in response to the worries of neighbours about what the development will be.

Kirn Dhillon said Monday he's willing to reduce the height of the proposed 10-metre structure by 2.5 m, to 7.5 m. That move, however, would eliminate the planned solar panels from the design.

Dhillon was responding to the vocal opposition to his proposed 16-unit townhouse development for Hillcrest Drive. The dissent was heard at council a week earlier, during a public hearing.

Dhillon is applying to have two of his family's properties rezoned so the sites – which are now home to four duplexes – can be redeveloped to make way for the three-level townhouses.

Many residents who spoke out and provided written submissions to the city on the rezoning argued the 10-m height would cast shadows onto the neighbouring one-level duplexes.

Dhillon also pointed out there are buildings across the street that are at least two stories high.

Cam Kos, a delegate and council candidate for the Oct. 18 election, later addressed council.

He noted that a multi-level townhouse structure would have more of an impact on shadowing than smaller homes that are two stories, such as those which are in the neighbourhood now.

Density was also another major issue for neighbours, many arguing the townhouses would bring too many people to the neighbourhood.

Dhillon pointed out though that under the current zoning, he could subdivide the properties and build single-detached homes on each one. If each house then had a suite, there would essentially be a similar number of people, he noted.

Addressing arguments that the development would see mounting numbers of vehicles parked on the narrow street, Dhillon noted there would be two spots per townhouse – beyond what would be required. He pointed out at some point, Hillcrest Drive is expected to be widened as well.

It was also argued by many who spoke out against the development that the neighbourhood's aging infrastructure couldn't handle more residents.

Pointing to the city's eventual plans to upgrade the roads, water and sewer lines through the area, Dhillon suggested he could work with the city to time his development to tie in with the upgrades.

That, in turn, could impact the local improvement charges (LICs) that neighbouring property owners would pay with improvements shared across more of the neighbourhood, the developer said.

When he was questioned by council, city planning manager Mike Gau pointed out the proposed infrastructure upgrades are still a number of years down the road.

And, in any event, residents would have to vote in favour of the LIC for the work to go ahead, said Rob Fendrick, the city's director of administrative services.

One of the biggest arguments council heard during the public hearing was that the new development would alter the character of the neighbourhood.

As Dhillon noted Monday night though, the inspiration for the new homes comes from other nearby townhouses in Hillcrest.

"Change can be scary,” he said.

Sometimes, change is necessary for urban renewal, he said, and increasing population density may be the answer to sustaining the community.

Dhillon did note that along with height reduction, he'd be willing to make a concession on density, cutting the development down by two units to 14.

That would be two more than city staff are recommending. They suggest the city restrict the development to a triplex for each lot Dhillon is looking to develop on, lowering the number of units to 12.

"This would be more consistent with density of the RS zone,” the administrative report states.

"A spot zone would be required since the subject properties are under the 1,208 square metres minimum lot size requirement for triplex development.”

The amendment is proposed to come forward at second reading.

Council will vote on the rezoning next week.