A proposal to convert a two-storey residence on Thorold Stone Road between Dorchester and Drummond roads into 8,000 square feet of commercial space has been given thumbs up by city council, even though city staff say the proposal goes against city planning guidelines.

A numbered company wants to convert the existing home, on a 0.61-acre piece of land across from Our Lady of the Scapular Catholic Church, into commercial office space. The type of zoning the company asked for would also allow such uses as a bank, a retail store or a veterinary clinic, city documents show.

Some neighbours on Crawford Street, whose homes back on to the property, cited concerns in letters to the city such as a lack of privacy and the possibility of a restaurant or tavern with an outdoor patio leading to "loud music, noise and rowdiness into the early morning hours."

Other Crawford Street residents co-signed a letter to the city raising concerns over such issues as where garbage disposal bins would be placed, how close the enlarged building would be to their property lines, and what kind of fencing would be used for privacy.

The residents were also adamant that they didn't want any kind of restaurant with a drive-thru, didn't want a noisy business such as automotive repair shop, and didn't want any kind of adult entertainment such as an adult retail outlet or massage parlour next to them.

City staff said in a report that an adult store or a restaurant -- two uses typically permitted under the requested zoning change -- are not being considered.

Staff said city planning guidelines dictate that the land along Thorold Stone between Dorchester and Drummond roads would be best used for higher density housing such as low-rise apartments. The property under discussion could hold at least 12 dwelling units, staff said, and should be preserved for housing because it's already prezoned for that and because it's very difficult to rezone other land for apartment buildings because neighbours typically fight such plans.

But Brian Sinclair, lawyer for the developer, said a two-storey commercial property is better for residential neighbours of the property than an apartment building. He said the proposal is a good fit for the neighbourhood, which has a mix of residential and commercial uses. "It's (also) a nine-to-five operation," Sinclair said. "Apartment buildings aren't.

"It's a use that won't be intrusive on the neighbourhood."

Coun. Wayne Thomson said the developer, who held meetings with the neighbours, had satisfied neighbours' initial concerns.

Neighbours can remain involved in the more detailed plans to come for such things as fencing to be used, he said.

Coun. Janice Wing opposed the zoning change, saying it "flies in the face of good planning" because it takes land meant for higher density housing out of the city's inventory of such land.

The majority of city councillors, however, supported the plan.