Unity On The Mountain has been operating as a Christian retreat centre for more than 20 years.

"It's an institutional property in a residential neighbourhood and institutional (zoning) will allow an awful lot of things one may or may not want in a residential neighbourhood," he said yesterday.

But city zoning examiner Victoria Brito said the institutional zoning prohibits construction of anything like a highrise condominium or office building.

That would require a rezoning application, which includes a public consultation process.

The property, nearly .73 hectares on Rosedene Avenue off Upper James Street, is publicly listed for $2.9 million, but Stinson wouldn't say what he offered.

Rev. Don Foster with Unity On The Mountain, an incorporated entity that owns the property, said there has been a number of offers but none the group is willing to entertain -- except Stinson's. Source...