Provencher development gets green light

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This article was published 11/07/2023 (859 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Plans to add a four-storey, mixed-use residential building to a vacant lot on Provencher Boulevard have been approved, after Winnipeg city councillors were assured the new construction wouldn’t create too great a snow load for a neighbouring business.

Concern the proposed structure for 174 Provencher Blvd. could spill too much heavy winter precipitation onto a shorter, one-storey building next door led its owner to file an appeal of the development plan.

However, the neighbouring owner stressed she didn’t oppose the project itself but filed an objection because it was the only formal way to ensure her concerns were considered.

“I wish they had a middle ground (in the city approval process) where you could say, ‘Good idea, but could you please consider these factors?’” Constance Menzies, owner of Chocolatier Constance Popp at 180 Provencher Blvd., said in an interview.

“The big (concern) for us is the snow load… This gets overlooked often. (Bigger) buildings get built beside little buildings a lot, and then it’s obviously too late to fix it.”

Menzies told the Free Press she is also concerned the new building will have too little parking, insufficient green space and would be too large to fit the character of the surrounding area.

“These are all small things, but they really just help the livability of the residents that live in the building (and) also the larger community, aside from my shop.”

On Tuesday, city council’s appeal committee approved a variance to allow the project without changes, following a civic staff recommendation.

The committee members were assured any potential snow-loading issues will be addressed during the permitting process. The vote will allow the building with 45 residential suites and two surface-level commercial units to have no rear yard, reduced landscaping and less parking.

Danny Serhal, the project’s development manager, said snow loads are routinely addressed during the permit application process, since buildings that are even slightly taller can increase the amount of snow that accumulates on neighbouring roofs.

“The snow-loading issue will happen the moment that one building is one metre taller than the next… (and) the new (construction developer) has to bear the cost of whatever has to happen to (protect) the building next door,” said Serhal.

He stressed many community members support the project, deeming the vacant lot it will replace “a bit of an eyesore.”

“I think that Provencher Boulevard is a tremendous jewel in our city and we have this… gravel parking lot that we want to fill in with something.”

Serhal said the project can also incorporate a loading zone and some plants and minimal landscaping to address other concerns. However, the building is designed to be placed next to a sidewalk to support pedestrian access, which limits the amount of room for green space, he noted.

After the appeal was dismissed, Coun. Sherri Rollins said she looks forward to the new density.

“I think it will be a beautiful addition to Provencher and the neighbourhood,” said Rollins, a member of the appeal committee.

In an interview, the Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry councillor noted the applicant confirmed the snow-loading matter will be dealt with prior to construction.

“It is a Winnipeg thing to consider snow loads in July. (This issue) is (addressed) each and every time (there’s a new development) and you heard the applicant say, they are very accustomed to doing it… Snow loads are always a consideration in every build,” said Rollins.

The appeal committee’s decision is considered final.

Serhal said he hopes to begin construction in the late summer or early fall.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga