There will be two three-storey condominiums built at 26 Normandy Rd. in Takhini West, members of city council decided Tuesday night.

At their weekly meeting, a divided council elected to grant a development application for the Normandy Road project by a vote of three to two.

Mayor Ernie Bourassa, Coun. Bev Buckway and Coun. Dave Austin voted in favour of the proposal.

Coun. Dave Stockdale and Coun. Doug Graham voted against it.

Coun. Mel Stehelin and Coun. Jan Stick were absent.

A different Normandy Road proposal was struck down by council last year following disputes between area residents and a developer who has yet to name himself publicly.

The approved proposal calls for the construction of two three-storey condominiums with a total of 20 units.

Takhini residents have maintained the building would not fit in with the character of their neighbourhood, which consists of mainly two-storey duplexes, and that it will lead to increased traffic in the area.

Addressing his fellow members of council, Stockdale said he opposes the development because he felt it did not fit in with the character of the neighbourhood.

'I'm opposed to this on the basis that it is three storeys,' said Stockdale.

'It's a good plan, but the residents have made it very clear that a large building like that would change the character of their neighbourhood.

'It's not in character with the neighbourhood,' he said.

Takhini area resident Richard Grant said he too was disappointed with council's decision.

'I'm totally opposed to tonight's decision.

'We said all along that we're not opposed to development in the area, but development that agrees with what is already there and this doesn't,' Grant said.

Speaking to Takhini residents outside council chambers, Wayne Cunningham, one of the developers involved with the Takhini project, said the project will not be a drastic change and that many areas in Whitehorse have changed and will continue to be modified in the future.

'There's all kinds of change coming (in Whitehorse); this is just a little change,' he said.