ST..JOHNS (CBC) - A controversial condominium development moved one step closer to reality during a St. John's city council meeting Monday night, although councillors expressed concern about whether buyers will like the noise from the harbour.

A developer wants to erect a 48-unit complex on the old Standard Manufacturing site, on the east end of Water Street and near the harbourfront.

Residents of the area, including some in the nearby Battery neighbourhood, have organized a petition against the plan, which they say will bring too much traffic to the narrow streets in the area and could spoil harbour views.

However, there seems to be little support for the petition on council. At Monday evening's meeting, councillors voted to permit extra residential units on the first floor of the buildings, which have already been approved.

Coun. Frank Galgay told council he believes the new development is a good one.

"There is a market for condominiums. St. John's is growing," he said.

"In the next number of years, with the oil and gas developments that are taking place, there will be a need for condominiums."

Galgay said the views from the homes of residents who signed the petition will not be affected.

Coun. Art Puddister, though, said that prospective condo buyers should be aware of what living in their new neighbourhood can mean. The proposed condos are close to the marine base used to service offshore oil supply vessels, and near the Narrows, where ships enter and leave the harbour through the day and night.

"If people want to live next to the harbour, on the waterfront, they're going to have to put up with ships blowing their whistles or their horns at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning," Puddister said.

"There could be something like, at 9 o'clock at night, lifeboat drills or fire drills."

Council asked city commissioner Ron Penney to determine whether condo buyers should sign some sort of document that informs them they will be living next to a working harbour, and that noise may be an issue.

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