The emotionally charged debate over the proposed Victoria International Marina in Victoria, Canada, has finally ended with the city council voting to reduce the development’s scale by 40 per cent.



WAM Development Group had originally offered to transform the site and provide 54 slips for yachts from 65ft-135ft along with amenities including a restaurant and yacht club.



However, the plan was put on hold in April after local opposition from small-boat owners and residents of nearby apartment blocks who feared they would lose their harbour views.



After several public hearings over the past few months, the city council voted unanimously last week to rezone the waterfront lot and therefore reduce the marina’s size.



“It’s obviously had a negative impact on the bottom line of the project, but we’ll make the most of what we’ve got there,” says Lachlan MacLean, a spokesman for the developer.



WAM Development Group says it will now revise the design, though it’s expected that up to 28 slips will still be available.