East St. Paul council approves subdivision despite strong opposition

East St. Paul

East St. Paul councillors voted 4-1 to approve a new subdivision of 476 additional single-family houses on 248.5 acres of former farmland off Mowat Road in the rural municipality during a public hearing on April 28.

Despite drawing over 1,000 opposition letters and an emotional seven-hour hearing at which dozens of residents shared their concerns and disapproval, the R.M. council approved the development, with the vote called shortly after midnight.

“I can’t vote against this application,” Mayor Carla Devlin said. She explained to council and community members that municipalities cannot “vote against their own bylaws,” and if the development application adheres to all local bylaws, denying it would be a bad look on council and the R.M.

“(This application) checks all the boxes,” said Coun. Orest Horechko (Ward 2), whose ward encompasses the proposed development. “I’m prepared to move forward.”

The main concerns community members cited during the hybrid forum — which allowed for speakers to particpate in-person or over Zoom — were density, schooling, water servicing, additional traffic, as well as the transparency of council.

The application — made by Waterside Development — requested that the parcel of land, currently zoned as development reserve, be sub-divided into several zones for single, double- and multiple-housing dwellings, as well as a parks and recreation zone.

“You expect political leaders to listen to you, and there was zero of that,” said Graham Hnatiuk, an East St. Paul resident and farmer, who operates Hnatiuk Market Gardens.

Hnatiuk is a fourth-generation farmer who’s farmed with his family in East St. Paul for 30-plus years. He spoke in front of council and received a standing ovation from several people in the 100-person gallery.

He said he felt council had already made up its mind about the development before the hearing.

“It’s elite political leadership with contempt for voters,” Hnatiuk said. “Political leadership is so out of touch with what people want.”

With a municipal election looming in October, Hnatiuk said he’d like to see all five local politicians voted out.

Coun. Charles Posthumus (Ward 4) was the only councillor to vote against the application, saying the lot sizes were too small.

“This is not high-density from a development perspective,” said Tim Comack, vice-president of Waterside Development, during closing remarks. He said the density equates to approximately two houses per acre.

According to Comack, River East Transcona School Division has been in discussion with Waterside, and an application for a K to 8 school has been made.

The decision by council can be overturned by the Manitoba Municipal Board, which oversees development outside the City of Winnipeg and has the final say on planning disputes.

“It’s unfortunate that this had to go to the municipal board,” said Brian Wachko, an East St. Paul resident who attended the meeting virtually. “I think the councilors missed the opportunity to listen to residents.”

The municipal board requires 300 signatures for an appeal to be made. East St. Paul residents have gathered over 1,100 signatures and intend to submit them.

“The municipal board is not an advantage to the community,” Devlin told the meeting, owing to the high cost of proceedings. She said going to the municipal board could cost the R.M. more than $100,000.