River buffer zones urged in new housing density rules

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This article was published 17/03/2025 (204 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg has been urged to exempt key areas near rivers and streams from efforts to attract denser housing construction.

A sweeping proposed zoning change that would allow the construction of up to four housing units on a single lot in most residential areas shouldn’t be applied within a set distance from key waterways, says Outdoor Urban Recreational Spaces Winnipeg.

“The river corridors are the main wildlife corridors… (Increased development would be) very damaging to our biodiversity,” Pam Lucenkiw, a co-chair of OURS-Winnipeg, said. “We need more housing because our population is growing but that growing population also needs more park space.”

The proposed zoning changes aim to boost Winnipeg’s housing supply. If council approves them, the city would remove the requirement for developers of such projects to complete a potentially time-consuming city application process and public hearing.

OURS-Winnipeg hopes to prevent the new zoning rules from being applied within 350 feet of the Red, Assiniboine, Seine and La Salle rivers and within 250 feet of the Sturgeon, Omand’s, Bunn’s, and Truro creeks.

Lucenkiw said the “buffer zones” would protect key animal habitat and trees along riverbanks, as the city continues to develop a master green-space plan and biodiversity policy.

“Any loss of green space is too much. We should be increasing, not decreasing green space,” Lucenkiw said.

Coun. Evan Duncan, chairman of council’s property and development committee, could not be reached for comment.

Coun. Sherri Rollins, a past chairwoman of the committee, said housing and green space are both key city priorities.

“Any loss of green space is too much. We should be increasing, not decreasing green space.”– Pam Lucenkiw, a co-chair of OURS-Winnipeg

“A sustainable, climate-resilient Winnipeg has to balance environmental protection with housing needs. I absolutely support a thoughtful approach to infill development that respects riverbanks, tree canopy, natural corridors (and) buffer zones,” Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) said.

However, Rollins said it’s difficult to set a one-size buffer to protect land at all properties along a river or stream, noting the slope and stability of each property is different.

Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) said he believes the buffer zone request raises valid concerns.

“I would certainly be interested in some version of this (change) but the… details we’ll have to take a look at,” Mayes said.

The city will need to consider how much land surrounding riverbanks is already protected from development through flood-protection measures, as well as how any changes would affect housing targets the city has set, he said.

“A sustainable, climate-resilient Winnipeg has to balance environmental protection with housing needs.”– Coun. Sherri Rollins

Several of the city’s housing goals are tied to federal funding. For example, $122 million earmarked for Winnipeg from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund is tied to fast-tracking the construction of 3,166 housing units, including about 900 affordable units, by the end of 2026. The city is required to make the four-unit per lot change, among others, to secure that cash.

“We’ve got $60 million in the bag from the Housing Accelerator Fund and $60 million left to collect (in future payments.) We’re trying to find a balance here. Any amendment (to the zoning rules) might limit (housing),” Mayes said.

In an email, city spokesman Kalen Qually said city waterway bylaws do set additional rules for development within 350 feet of rivers and 250 feet of major creeks.

“Any new construction within these regulated areas already requires a waterway permit to ensure riverbank stability and discourage adverse environmental impacts,” Qually wrote.

Additional feedback on the zoning changes will be considered soon, he noted.

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Public consultations on the proposed zoning changes are set to be held, with virtual meetings at 7 p.m. today as well as 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday. Residents can email infillhousing@winnipeg.ca to register.

An in-person open house will take place at the convention centre on Wednesday, from 4-7 p.m.

City council will hear feedback before voting on the rules at a public hearing in late spring.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter

Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.

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