Committee kicks decision-making down the line

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This article was published 13/03/2023 (1178 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The East Kildonan-Transcona community committee was set to meet on Feb. 24.

However, the regular meeting was forced to be adjourned, owing to lack of quorum, as only Coun. Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) was present, with Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) away on city business and Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) held up on some other business. A special meeting is to be held.

A public hearing for a subdivision, rezoning, and variance application for 1380 Ralveston Ave. W was also scheduled for Feb. 24. With Wyatt in attendance, quorum was met.

The committee heard from the applicant, which intends to subdivide the lot, that is currently split-zoned for single-family residential and rural residential. The application would change the rural residential district to a medium density multi-family zoning in order to build four multi-family buildings, for a total of 71 units.

“Why is the public administration so supportive of the density of this project, when we know the issues on Ravelston Avenue West?” Wyatt challenged the public service. “We’re jamming this in here.”

Brendan Salakoh, of Landmark Planning and Design, working with the applicant Porchlight Developments, argued the proposal meets the Transcona West Area Structure plan in providing infill housing to the area, while addressing resident and stakeholder concerns brought up during public information sessions.

However, Wyatt expressed concerns with not only the density, but also the layout and design of the proposal, including lack of greenspace. In the end, the matter was adjourned until the March 20 meeting so the applicant could take the committee’s recommendations into consideration before a final decision was made.