Micro rental units for low-wage single people got voted down by Victoria councillors last week.

The new owner of the old Traveller’s Inn at 3025 Douglas St. proposed to convert the motel into warehouse storage and 45 studio apartments with rent ranging from $650 to $725 including utilities, cable, phone and Internet.

Owner Mike Kelly proposes units be sized between 226 and 387 square feet.

While the Burnside Neighbourhood Plan supports the development of rental housing, the area along Douglas Street has been reserved for wholesale, retail and service.

The residential proposal doesn’t accommodate families or offer residents adequate open space.

For these reasons, Victoria’s planning department recommended against the application. The city’s planning and land use committee voted against the application Thursday.