"With the (Canadian) Museum for Human Rights coming, we can probably expect more of these types of applications. If we can't be more flexible, we'll probably be saying no to a lot of projects," said Coun. Gord Steeves. He and fellow committee members Jenny Gerbasi, Justin Swandel and Russ Wyatt voted unanimously in favour of the project, officially known as MSH Assiniboine.

"This is a project driven by engineering ego and money. It's just that simple," Edmonton Street resident Michael Clarke said at Monday's appeal hearing. "The people behind this have no interest in this neighbourhood."

"We'll just have to wait and see whether they'll be able to realize all the things they're promising," [Mel Michener] said, insisting the building is simply not the right development for the narrow Assiniboine Avenue lot.