A proposed bare-land condo development in Quispamsis has been approved by town council.

Rugged Residential Inc. plans to build 19 condominium units on nearly 20 acres of land off Corduroy Road.

But developer Rob Viger required the land to be rezoned from rural (RU) to multiple residential (R2) for the project to go ahead.

A conventional subdivision on the land would see 19 one-acre parcels with individual wells and sewage disposal systems.

However, town staff said there are “significant challenges” to supporting conventional design given topographical challenges in the area, such as rock outcrops, steep slopes, and transmission lines.

In this case, the units will be built closer together and will be serviced using shared wells and on-site septic systems.

“Bringing the dwelling units closer supports the same level of density development,” said the staff report, pointing to the one unit per acre density in a typical subdivision.

“However, there is a reduction in the overall impacts on the land as much of the land stays undeveloped.”

Town councillors voted in favour of the rezoning application during their most recent meeting on Sept. 6.

According to town staff, a second phase will see 12 acres of land north of the condominium project be developed as typical one-acre lot single-dwelling units.