Numerous residents expressed opposition to Moncton City Council during a public hearing on Monday over a proposed rezoning which would allow a new four-storey, 52-unit apartment building at Ryan Street and Augusta Terrace.

Avant Garde Construction and Management Inc., on behalf of Alkarain Investment Corporation, landowner, sought to rezone 1383 Ryan Street from R2 (Two-Unit Dwelling) to R3 (Multiple-Unit Dwelling).

Some of the common concerns raised by residents were increased traffic congestion and the proposal’s close proximity to Northrop Frye School where parents are picking up and dropping off their children.

Longtime area resident Linda Runighan, who lives at 1489 Ryan Street, said wildlife are being displaced in what used to be a rural setting.

“We need the forest. We have pheasants, deer, raccoons, foxes, birds and small species of wildlife, now uprooted from their habitat,” said Runighan.

RELATED: Neighbours opposed to Ryan St. apartment building

Shelley Jamieson, who lives at 110 Augusta Terrace which is next door to the proposal, outlined concerns surrounding the safety of students walking to school and noted how the school is already bursting at the seams.

“To ask the community to go from a two-unit zoning (R2) currently to a 52-unit monstrosity (R3) is unacceptable,” noted Jamieson who also claimed the developer had approached neighbouring landowners to buy property.

Moncton City Council approved the rezoning although there were three nay votes.