House demo called illegal as appeal over infill project still before courts

Neighbours say the demolition of a house in Glenora on Wednesday was illegal because of a permit appeal. CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson investigates.

Neighbours say the demolition of a house in Glenora on Wednesday morning was illegal because they’re actively appealing the development of an infill.

They tell CTV News Edmonton they’re against the planned eight-unit infill building because they feel it doesn’t suit the area.

In January, a group of residents tried to stop the project through the proper channels.

In February, the subdivision and development appeal board upheld the development permit.

Neighbours have since taken the matter to the Alberta Court of Appeal.

“We appealed against the demolition, and they turned it down, but then the lawyers for a couple of the neighbours filed an appeal to the appeal court, and that appeal is still pending,” David Bundle, one of the neighbours opposing the project, told CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday.

The city’s zoning bylaw says when an appeal is made, all other permits – including those for demolition – must be suspended.

Neighbours also called Occupational Health and Safety to the site on Wednesday morning over concerns of asbestos exposure.

A worker for the company doing the demolition told CTV News Edmonton the permit is active.

Neighbours believe the city may be to blame if it did not flag the current appeal to the builder.

In a statement to CTV News Edmonton, the city acknowledges an appeal is in progress but did not say whether that means the demolition was illegal.

The neighbours know their court challenge could fail, allowing the multi-plex to move forward... but they feel cheated.

If the developer is found guilty of demolition without a permit, it faces a $1,000 fine.