Grant for food hub in Elmwood approved

Elmwood

Transcona

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This article was published 15/01/2025 (627 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The East Kildonan-Transcona community committee of Winnipeg city council held its first regular meeting of the new year on Jan. 6.

During the regular meeting, the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation applied for a land dedication reserve fund grant for $134,255.10 for its Supporting Access to Good Eating (SAGE) project at Chalmers Community Corner, located at 243 Henderson Hwy. The public service recommended the motion be denied, as it did not meet criteria.

“I am looking forward to this,” Coun. Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) said in support of the project, which would set up a permanent site for area residents to get groceries and fresh produce. “Although it does not meet criteria, sometimes that happens. It is within the spirit and convention of other motions regarding allocation of land dedication reserve funds. This is going towards the common good.”

Funding would go towards purchasing and refurbishing a used 10×10 foot refrigeration unit to set on site, and provide a space for SAGE to provide food to those in need in the community. Schreyer noted that the model is based on a similar, successful project run by the John Howard Society in Brandon, Man.

“This is an opportunity I couldn’t give up,” Schreyer said, noting that Elmwood has no grocery stores within the neighbourhood anymore, following the closure of Tasse’s Balkan Foods last year.

The committee approved the grant, but required that CNRC submit plans for the structures needed for the project for approval, given the high-profile nature of the location within the neighbourhood.

In property matters, a non-conforming approach for 469 Desrosiers Dr. was approved. A subdivision and rezoning for 1419 Ravelston Ave. to Jan. 26, 2026, was also approved.

A public hearing was also held on a rezoning, conditional use, and variance application for 128 Peguis St., to allow for the development of a car wash and convenience store. The public service recommended approval of rezoning, but not of the conditional use and variances, as it felt the site was not conducive to a drive-through car wash so close to residential housing.

The owner, Zacharias Worku, purchased the property in 2015, and has already paid to service the site. The property is currently zoned for medium density multifamily, but no construction has taken place on the site, which was the subject of a number of highly contested public hearings between 2018 and 2020, when residents opposed the proposed projects. The applicant argued that there are a number of similar car washes near residential development, including at 107 Pandora Ave. West and 1701 Plessis Dr., both in Transcona, and that his location is just north of the entrance and exit to Costco’s overflow parking lot.

Several people spoke in support of the project. Neighbours expressed concerns regarding drainage of water, while agreeing that a car wash is better use of the space than a multi-family development, provided the business would not operate 24 hours a day. Nobody registered in opposition.

Following a lengthy discussion, the application was approved in part, subject to plan approval by the committee among other conditions.

“I would like to thank the applicant for his perseverance, and not giving up on this site,” Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) said. “And for making this investment in the community.”