MANILA, Philippines ? The Quezon City Council Thursday shelved an application of a real estate developer for the construction of a 26-story condominium inside the posh Loyola Grand Villas after the barangay (village) council recalled its earlier clearance for the developer.

The council?s committee on city planning chaired by Councilor Ricardo Belmonte decided to archive a proposed resolution seeking to grant an exemption for the realty firm to build the condominium.

Belmonte, in Thursday?s public hearing, decided to archive the proposed resolution authored by Councilor Edcel Lagman after it was learned that the developer had no barangay clearance to speak of.

?This committee has no choice but to adjourn and archive the resolution until the developer and Barangay Pansol settle their issues,? he said.

Threat to environment

Residents of both La Vista subdivision and Loyola Grand Villas trooped to the city council to protest the proposed exemption for the realty firm, pointing out that the condo project poses threats to the environment and sewage systems.

?We are totally against the project as it would destroy the ecological balance, road network and sewage system of our low density subdivision,? said Milagros Arnaldo, president of the LGV Homeowners Association.

She pointed out that in low density areas, buildings are only allowed a maximum height of 10 feet.

Lito de Dios, president of the La Vista Homeowners Association, said the stretch of Katipunan Avenue from Balara to the flyover is an environmental preservation area.