‘Pie in the sky’ development proposed for Charleswood property attracts criticism

The owner of a Charleswood property that used to host a popular holiday attraction wants to build housing, commercial buildings and a Nordic-style spa on the site — but would have to jump several hurdles to see the project through.

Paul Taylor’s late father, Bill Taylor, ran the Assiniboine Valley Railway, a miniature train and drive-thru Christmas light show that attracted thousands to the property, at 3001 Roblin Blvd., adjacent to Assiniboine Park, before it shut down in 2021.

Taylor said Wednesday he has partnered with Cibinel Architecture Ltd. and is in early talks with city planning staff to re-develop the property: the first phase involves three one-storey commercial spaces, while later phases include a three-storey, 82-unit 55-plus residential building, and a spa.

“I’m picturing things like coffee shops, personal services… things that would mesh nicely with the residential and commercial uses that are already along Roblin, something that’s designed with intention (and) aesthetically complements the community,” Taylor said.

To date, no applications have been filed to the city to begin development.

Currently, the wastewater pump station for the area doesn’t have the capacity to handle multi-family housing or a spa, and part of the property falls under airport vicinity protection area regulations that ban new residential development.

Evan Duncan, the city councillor who represents the area, is skeptical the project will come to fruition considering the “significant” issues related to development.

“We’re talking about a single-family residential neighbourhood, we’re talking about next door neighbours to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and green spaces,” said Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood), who is also the chair of city council’s property and development committee.

“How many barriers need to be overcome for this to even be considered? I don’t know that, given the current situation with that property, that it is something that is even going to be considered at this point in time.”

Taylor outlined his vision at a community open house on Oct. 28. Duncan said constituents who are concerned about the proposal, including with the demolition of trees on the site, have reached out to his office.

“I just think it’s a little bit disingenuous to go out to the community in this stage of the game with that scope of, for lack of better words, pie-in-the-sky ideas,” he said.

Taylor said he wants to work with the city to help upgrade the pump station and would develop the property in line with airport regulations.

“It’s a hurdle, but it’s not a brick wall. It can be jumped,” he said.

Earlier this year, Taylor said he demolished buildings, including his childhood home, and trees on the property, because he was concerned about vandalism caused by squatters.

Larry Stefanec’s home is directly behind the property. He said he isn’t the only one who has concerns about the scope of Taylor’s proposal.

“We always knew there was going to be some sort of development there, but we figured that it would fit more into the neighbourhood, like single-family dwellings.”

Hundreds of trees were taken down, which likely eroded the neighbours’ trust, he said.

“We’ve never had any issues with security, in fact, it’s been quite peaceful… demo the houses and keep the (forest) until you have a solidified plan that brings trust to the neighbourhood,” he said.

Taylor said he’d like to plant 150 decorative trees and “have a train theme throughout” to honour the railway attraction pioneered by his father.

He said objectors may not recognize the proposed residential buildings would be smaller than similar developments across the city.

“A lot of that, I think, is fear of the unknown and not necessarily understanding the scope of things,” he said.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca