5°c Partly cloudy
16°c Isolated showers
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
City rules silos in River Heights must be removed
Winnipeg city council's property and development committee voted to uphold an order to remove eight metal silos from the railyard in area of Mathers Avenue and Lindsay Street. Area residents Debra Black (left) and Alain Vermette are happy to see the silos go. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
A city committee has upheld an order which calls for eight metal silos in River Heights to be removed.
In September, Fort Distributors installed eight metal silos along a stretch of rail line in a residential section of River Heights. Neighbours immediately complained to the city and the city ordered the storage tanks be removed by mid-December.
City officials say Fort Distributors is leasing the land from the railway, and the tanks are not core to the railway's operations.
This morning, lawyer Gord Steeves told council's property and development committee the tanks are related to the railway's operations, which the city has no jurisdiction over due to federal transport rules. Steeves asked that the order be cancelled, and the tanks be allowed to remain.
He said the tanks make it easier for Fort Distributors to unload a chemical used to reduce dust on gravel roads, which reduces truck traffic and noise in the neighbourhood. The company is willing to work with the neighbourhood to minimize the impact, he said, which could include things such as painting the tanks.
Nearby residents called the tanks "ugly" and "monstrous" and said they were placed on land zoned for residential use, not heavy industry.
River Heights Coun. John Orlikow urged the committee to deny the appeal, saying the city must not set a precedent that could allow more storage facilities to be built on railway lands within Winnipeg.
Council's property and development committee voted to uphold the order that the silos be removed due to their "substantial impact" on the community.
City property director Barry Thorgrimson said he believes the city has solid ground to move forward and uphold the existing bylaws.
Steeves said there's a "fairly good chance" the matter will be appealed in court.
History
Updated on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 11:38 AM CST: Updated and new headline
1:57 PM: updates with new photo
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Woman run over three times by her own car
- Some good news, some bad news from weatherman
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Charges laid against three in Canada Revenue Agency fraud investigation
- Drug dealer sentenced to 3½ years in prison
- Vendor fired at Houston's Minute Maid Park after taking tray of snow cones into bathroom
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Woman killed in head-on crash in southwestern Manitoba
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Susan Griffiths dies in Switzerland
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Landslide of love for Fleetwood Mac
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Vendor fired at Houston's Minute Maid Park after taking tray of snow cones into bathroom
- Quicker pickup of bulk garbage urged
- Privacy commissioner wants power to impose 8-figure fines against offenders
- Winnipeg Harvest issues plea for donations
- 'I told them, "I think that guy downstairs is dead"': teen witness at murder trial
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Animals are animals, new ads say
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Ontario steps in to help save ELA
- Saskatchewan professor wants to test the health benefits of nose-picking
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.