Residents raise safety concerns at public hearing

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This article was published 26/11/2021 (1527 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The East Kildonan-Transcona community committee dealt with number of proposed developments in northeast Winnipeg during a marathon meeting and public hearing that lasted nearly eight hours on Nov. 22.

The committee heard from a number of area residents opposed to a proposed 72-unit multifamily dwelling during a rezoning, subdivision, and variance hearing for the properties at 307 and 311 Grassie Blvd.

“Do we really need another 72-unit development here?” asked longtime resident and area business owner Amerjit Dhillon, citing a number of multifamily developments in the area.

Initially, the developers had proposed a 120-unit, six-storey development on the site. However, following open houses, the developers reduced the density from a multifamily large to multi-family medium. Former Transcona city councillor Russ Wyatt, who was speaking on behalf of the owners, presented findings of an independent traffic study that found the development would have a negligible impact on traffic volumes.

“Our development is not going to have a big impact (on traffic),” Wyatt said. 

However, chief among the concerns raised during the hearing by residents were safety concerns, particularly regarding traffic along Grassie Boulevard. Increased density, privacy issues, and a negative impact on the community were also raised.

“Could this not be accomplished in a more thoughtful manner that respects the existing community?” Elaine Murdoch said in opposition. 

“This is a big change, no doubt about it,” city planner Glen Doney said, noting there were similar multifamily housing to the west at Grassie and Molson as well as duplexes on Grassie to the east. “(But) we consider it to be workable.”

“There is a need to accommodate more residents, with a healthy mix of densification,” Wyatt noted. “There is room to allow for that transformation here, and I think that is a healthy thing.”

If the residential development were not approved, Wyatt suggested, the owner of the property would likely look at building a 24-hour commercial enterprise, such as a gas bar or fast food restaurant, at the location instead.

“If we can’t build something like this here, where can we build it?” Wyatt said. “It all has the essence of a good infill project.”

In the end, public presentations on the matter were adjourned, with a final decision on the matter to be made at a special meeting of the committee on Fri., Dec. 17.

A subdivision, rezoning, and variance application was also heard for a property south of Ravelston Avenue West, at 1396 Plessis Rd., which is owned by Abundant Life Baptist Church. 

The proposal would subdivide the land into two lots, one of which would remain home to Abundant Life Baptist Church, while the westerly portion would be rezoned for a multifamily development of medium density featuring 76 units with 117 parking spaces.

The application, which had only one submission in opposition to the project, was approved by the committee.

“This is a well developed area,” Coun. Shawn Nason (Transcona) noted.

The committee also approved an application to close a section of the Ravelston Avenue West adjacent to 1555 Lagimodiere Blvd.

“Our intention is to fold this land into our current property, fence it very similar to how it is currently fenced, with some trees along the back of it,” Brian Lowes said in support of the application. “Long term, this is a good thing for our business and the area.”

A combined subdivision, rezoning, and variance application for a number of properties along Bonner Avenue south of Cindy Klassen Way was approved.

The proposal would create 21 R1M properties for development of single-family homes, while rezoning seven existing properties with homes on them as R1L . According to city planner Glen Doney, the new lots would be “very similar” to other lots on Cindy Klassen way. 

Earlier, during the committee’s regular meeting, $1,200 in per capita grants were approved for the Valley Gardens Community Centre’s family skate, $400 each from Transcona, North Kildonan, and Elmwood-East Kildonan wards. 

Additionally, a per capita grant of $1,000 from the Elmwood-East Kildonan ward was approved for meals for seniors, organized by the Kiwanis Home Senior’s Social Committee over the holidays, while grants of – $239.33 each was also approved towards operating costs for the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation and the Elmwood Community Resource Centre.

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca Call him at 204-697-7112

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