Fernie Road residents are convinced City council didn't listen to their concerns prior to rubber-stamping rezoning that will allow an apartment complex in Powers Edition.

"They just don't care," Pat Gremaud said Wednesday. "It was almost like it was a done deal."

Gremaud was also one of at least 20 people who attended a public hearing in council chambers Tuesday.

Three councillors - Pat Wallace, Nelly Dever and Arjun Singh - opposed the rezoning. Ken Christian, Nancy Bepple, Tina Lange, Donovan Cavers, Marg Spina and Mayor Peter Milobar voted in favour. As a result, the application passed.

Powers Edition is currently zoned for single-family/duplex development.

Gremaud lives across the street from the project, which is now a vacant lot. If a development permit is approved, a three-building, 12-unit strata development will stand in its place.

She understands the need for infill, but believes the neighborhood has had its fair share with Mission Hill and Guerin Creek.

She and her husband moved into Powers Edition because of its low-key, rural feel. Gremaud is now afraid the mood will be forever altered despite the disapproval of those who live there.

"This is happening even though nobody wanted it," she said. "It seems both duplicitous and disingenuous."

Yukino Negi is more worried about increased traffic. She said there's no playground in the area, so the only place her two children can play is in the front yard or on the sidewalk. She's afraid a passing car will clip one of them.

Fernie Road is already busy with traffic that travels at about 70 km/h, she said. Adding 12 more units will just make it busier.

"People are very, very unhappy," said Negi.

Traffic is always a concern when development is proposed in an established neighbourhood, said Lange.

She said the City is intent on developing unused land in every part of town. This way one neighbourhood isn't impacted more than any other.

But Wallace and Dever say the roads through Powers Edition are too narrow, with many dips and corners. Wallace spent time in the area and described traffic as "Mario Andretti's speedway," in reference to the racecar driver.

Dever said the development doesn't suit the neighbourhood, and stands beside her decision to vote against it.

A three-duplex unit was originally proposed, and would have been more appropriate, she said.